By Lynne Curry bio The first time you saw "Bill" appear to nod off during a staff meeting, you pulled him aside after the meeting. When you asked if he was okay, he said he was. You gave him the benefit of the doubt because he'd worked for you for three years and been a good employee. You knew he'd recently gone through a divorce and thought maybe he'd had a hard … [Read more...] about What to do when an opioid crisis hits your law firm
Risk management
Recommendations from National Task Force on Lawyer Well-Being applauded by Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation
Calling it a "groundbreaking and lifesaving report," the head of the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation's legal professionals program applauded the recent release of a comprehensive set of recommendations from the National Task Force on Lawyer Well-Being. "These important recommendations address the longstanding and often hidden behavioral health issues in the legal profession, and … [Read more...] about Recommendations from National Task Force on Lawyer Well-Being applauded by Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation
Employment Law Update for August 2017
By Mike O'Brien bio Here is my periodic update prepared for interested HR professionals trying to deal with the complex American employment laws. In this update: REPEAL? REPAIR? REPLACE? NOT FOR NOW. EEOC/DOJ TAKE OPPOSITE VIEWS IN SEXUAL ORIENTATION DISPUTE DOL SURVEY ON OVERTIME RULES ASKS SOME INTERESTING QUESTIONS TO FIRE OR NOT TO FIRE? EMPLOYERS SHOULD READ … [Read more...] about Employment Law Update for August 2017
Employment Law Update for HR Managers
By Mike O’Brien bio This is my periodic update prepared for interested HR professionals trying to deal with the complex American employment laws. Federal Appeals Court says sexual orientation bias is illegal: A federal appeals court (covering Wisconsin, Illinois and Indiana) has ruled, for the first time, that existing law prohibiting discrimination based on sex … [Read more...] about Employment Law Update for HR Managers
Busting 7 common information security myths
Commonly held myths about information security can lead to a potential data breach and ultimately have a big impact on a company's bottom line and reputation. However, these breaches can be avoided when businesses provide their employees with the right training and tools to separate fact from fiction and responsibly manage confidential information. A recent study shows that 23 … [Read more...] about Busting 7 common information security myths
Here’s my latest Employment Law update prepared for many HR professionals
By Mike O'Brien bio Lots of ADA Facility Lawsuits in Utah: Here is an interesting legal news update from my partner Mike Judd: Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires places of "public accommodation" to remove all architectural and structural "barriers to access." Under the ADA, "public accommodations" include hotels, restaurants, theaters, … [Read more...] about Here’s my latest Employment Law update prepared for many HR professionals
Protecting your employees from workplace violence
By Lynne Curry bio On June 5, 2017, John Neumann Jr. brought a semiautomatic pistol and a hunting knife into his former workplace. He killed five people before turning his gun against himself. It's become chillingly commonplace for us to learn that a terminated employee has stormed into his former workplace and killed those he holds accountable. Each time, the rest … [Read more...] about Protecting your employees from workplace violence
8 Traps to Avoid When Investigating a Sexual Harassment Complaint
Sexual harassment is a related problem that all employers must proactively address and prevent. While most managers are well aware of the need for sexual harassment policies, just having a policy isn't enough. If sexual harassment allegations arise, you need to know how to appropriately respond. Here are 8 potential mistakes your practice should be alert to and avoid making … [Read more...] about 8 Traps to Avoid When Investigating a Sexual Harassment Complaint
Is your website violating ABA’s ethical guidelines?
A good website is valuable 24-hour marketing. But underneath it lies another web—one of ethical concerns, the main ones being misleading information, unwanted client relationships, and confidentiality breaches. For that reason, the American Bar Association set out guidelines for attorney websites, Formal Opinion 10-457 developed by the ABA's Standing Committee on Ethics and … [Read more...] about Is your website violating ABA’s ethical guidelines?
Discrimination at work: Prevalent yet subtle workplace bias erodes productivity and engagement
A recent study by VitalSmarts, a Top 20 Leadership Training Company, has found that more than a quarter (27 percent) of those who experience discrimination at work report the bias to be common, impactful, and beyond their ability to manage. The result of this triple threat of factors leads to frustration, stress, depression, and helplessness on the job. To measure the impact … [Read more...] about Discrimination at work: Prevalent yet subtle workplace bias erodes productivity and engagement