Archive for the ‘Employee Benefits’ Category

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ADA Compliance – Therapeutic Kangaroo Irwin

Wednesday, May 4th, 2011

Irwin and ChristieIt seems that the Broken Arrow City Council has figured out a way to meet the needs of its resident while not changing the laws related to exotic pets.

The Broken Arrow City Council unanimously voted Tuesday night to create an exotic animal ordinance exemption that would allow Christie Carr to keep Irwin the red kangaroo within city limits under certain conditions.

Carr is unable to work because of her health and has found comfort in the companionship of Irwin, whom she met while volunteering at a local animal sanctuary on the advice of her therapist.

(more…)

Workplace Behavior – Accessing Electronic Records

Tuesday, April 26th, 2011

Workplace BehaviorThe Chicago Sun-Times reports that Chicago police officers have accessed and printed electronic records inappropriately. Up to 1000 officers may face official discipline for the transgression.

The specific record accessed details an allegation of sexual assault against two on-duty Chicago police officers by a local woman.  The records were accessed within three weeks of the incident.  It is not clear as to the officers motivation for looking at the report. (more…)

Job Stress – Industry Based Stress Factors

Sunday, April 24th, 2011

Workplace StressThe job site CareerCast.com just released its survey of the best and worst jobs in America. This list includes measures of those jobs, or careers, that they found to be the most and least stressful as well. It is always interesting to see what jobs are listed on these kinds of reports; seldom does the list of the most and least stress-filled jobs make sense to everyone. To some, the list may even be insulting as they can seem to invalidate the experience of the vast majority of American workers who feel that they experience job stress. (more…)

Mediation as an Employee Benefit

Wednesday, March 9th, 2011

Employee MediationEmployers should consider providing their employees with an Employee Mediation Benefit. A mediation benefit is more than just a means to resolve workplace disputes. A unique employee benefit, ADR services provide employees and their families with a means to resolve the interpersonal issues that create stress and distraction in their lives and in the workplace.

Employers know that many personal conflicts and interpersonal issues including divorce and child custody disputes experienced by their employees negatively affect productivity and general absenteeism. Wellness programs such as employee assistance programs (EAP), some of which include legal referral, (more…)

Is a Mediation Agreement Legally Binding?

Tuesday, March 8th, 2011

Mediated AgreementsA common question about mediation regards the legally binding nature of the mediation agreement: Are they legally binding?

The simple answer is: “Yes. A mediated agreement is legally binding.”

Specifically a mediated agreement is one that all stake-holders in the dispute voluntarily agree to. Generally speaking, agreements reached in mediation and resulting in a signed written document (Memorandum of Understanding) are as legally binding as any other written contract. (more…)

Sexual Harassment and Mediation

Friday, March 4th, 2011

Harassed OfficeworkerThe concept of sexual harassment is not unknown to most people, although the definition or description of what constitutes sexual harassment can vary widely from person to person, and to some extent personal perception is an important aspect to consider when addressing this issue.

HR professionals have to be at the ready to not only respond to sexual harassment allegations but also actively engage to prevent harassment from occurring. (more…)

Mediate Parenting Plans – Decrease Presenteeism

Monday, February 28th, 2011

Mediated Child CustodyEmployers know that parents worry about their children, and sometimes are preoccupied with thoughts about their children’s health and well-being while at work. To be sure employees going through a litigated divorce are often preoccupied with the process and worry about the outcome.

What about after the fact, once the divorce is finalized the child custody agreement and parenting plan is in place; are parents done being preoccupied with these issues at work? (more…)

Mediating ADA Accommodation Compliance

Monday, January 31st, 2011

ada-compliance-mediationEmployers and human resource personnel often find themselves trying to reasonably accommodate the needs of disabled employees under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

Unfortunately, for many employers, the concept of ADA accommodation can be a controversial topic. (more…)

Workplace Behavior: Defining What Is Appropriate

Monday, January 24th, 2011

Workplace BullyingOne of the issues consistently plaguing employer’s efforts to curb workplace conflict is a lack of a uniform understanding of what is appropriate versus inappropriate behavior among staff.

It seems reasonable to demand that that employees and managers treat one another appropriately. However, if individual employees and managers do not recognize the same definitions of appropriate versus inappropriate behavior, (more…)

Mediation To Maximize Legal Plan Benefits

Wednesday, January 19th, 2011

Pre-Paid Legal MemberPre-paid legal plans have become more and more popular. Many join plans offered as a payroll deduction at work, while others seek out such plans as a protection for their families; even the AARP has a legal plan for members. It can seem impossible never to need an attorney and these plans provide a basic level of legal service for a minimum cost.

The legal services generally covered in monthly plan fees include document review for such things as simple wills and contracts, as well as the paperwork completion in simple uncontested divorces. It can be frustrating and costly, (more…)

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