The EEOC has revised its "Equal Employment Opportunity is the Law" poster. The poster was revised to reflect new federal employment laws, including the ADA Amendments, and the Genetic Non Discrimination in Employment Act ("GINA"). Employers can either obtain a new poster, or a supplement their existing poster. The new posting is mandatory effective November 21
Disability Discrimination
What Can Employers Do About H1N1?
H1N1 EEOC pandemic employer response…
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Weekly Web Roundup
The biggest news this week is the EEOC’s release of the proposed regulations for the ADA Amendments Act of 2009. This post from Jackson Lewis provides some of the highlights. Note that these are proposed regulations. There is a 60 day period during which the EEOC will receive comments. After considering the comments, the EEOC will…
Obesity as a Protected Class?
This post in HR Observations (Hat tip: Ohio Employer’s Law Blog) explores whether obesity could be the next characteristic to become protected under the anti-discrimination laws. A group called the "Obesity Action Coalition" complains that discrimination against obese people is widespread. Employer concern about rising costs associated with employee health coverage, workers’ compensation costs…
Good News on the ADA–One More Court Rules the Amendments Are Not Retroactive
Earlier this year, we identified the Amendments to the ADA–known as the "ADAAA" –as one of the top human resources challenges of 2009. The amendments became effective January 1, 2009. One of the most significant changes in the new law as compared to the old ADA concerns the definition of "disability". One of Congress intentions in the ADAAA was…
Does Your Company Wellness Plan Discriminate?
A recent study of Iowa employers revealed that 51 percent offered some type of health screening to their employees. Many companies also offer other "wellness" benefits to encourage employees to exercise and adopt healthy lifestyles. The wellness program of a prominent Des Moines employer was recently profiled in the Des Moines Register (link here…
Human Resources Challeges for 2009
A recent post at Human Resources Executive Online, entitled "Warnings from the Top". provides an excellent overview of some of the new challenges employers have been presented since the beginning of 2009. "Like it or not" say the authors, changes are coming, and employers better be prepared.
According to several attorneys the authors…
Employers Should Be Aware of H1N1 and its Impact on the Workplace
As of a couple of day ago, there were 43 reported cases of swine flu–what is now being called "H1N1"–in Iowa.
Given the continued spread of this virus, employers would be wise to develop plans to deal with H1N1 issues that could affect their employees and their workplace. The Des Moines Register published an article…