There is often a lot of confusion around HIPAA and the protections that it offers. This often starts with the spelling, so it's wise to note that HIPAA stands for the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996. But the confusion goes far beyond that....
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Do the police ever have to use force?
If someone is injured during an arrest, they may threaten to sue. They could say that the police officers shouldn’t have used force and that the injuries could have been avoided. Even if they’re guilty of the crime -- drug trafficking or robbery, for instance --...
Is that Alleged Construction Defect Really a Defect?
Some construction defects are a bit easier to understand than others. A structural issue that makes the home unsafe could be the result of poor planning by the architect, for instance. Generally, though, customers who accuse your company of making an error are going...
An Employee is Threatening a Lawsuit over Discrimination or Harassment: What Now?
When you first hear the news that an employee is threatening to file a lawsuit over on-the-job discrimination or harassment, your heart may sink -- with good reason. Not only can lawsuits cost your company money, they disrupt the normal flow of business, can lead to a...
Choosing a Structure for Native American Tribal Businesses
Any person or group wishing to start a new business must make a variety of critical decisions. After all, the actions taken early in the process of forming a business will have long-lasting effects. Native American tribes entering the business realm must also make...
What to do if your Company is Accused of Discrimination
You do not believe that you have discriminated against any of your employees or prospective employees. You know well that your company needs to give all workers an equal opportunity, and you do it to the best of your ability. Even so, your company is the focus of a...
Is Your Company Required to have a Three-Strikes Firing Policy?
One complaint that employees have when they’re fired is that they didn’t even know they were doing anything to warrant the firing. If they had been given a warning, they argue, they could have changed their behavior. They feel that the firing is unfair. Some companies...
Avoid accusations of discrimination when implementing a reduction in force
Whatever you call it –- reorganization, restructuring or downsizing – changes in your corporate structure often involve laying off employees. Whether you need to streamline your employee base to cut costs or eliminate redundancies, inevitably some good employees will...
Can you comp your employees’ overtime?
You need an employee to stay late a few times during the week, putting them over their scheduled 40 hours. Maybe they go eight hours over, for a full day’s worth of work. As an employer, you know that means they need to get time and a half. To avoid it, you tell them...
Can your former employer stop you from taking a job?
Alaska has a relatively strong economy, but much of the major industry is limited to bigger cities. That can mean that when you leave a job with one company, you will have limited options for pursuing a career in your field. You may wind up considering a job with a...