Since the mid-1960’s, dozens of complicated employment laws have been enacted to protect the rights of employees and applicants.  While every employer knows a little bit about some of them, there are several laws that can cause significant problems for your practice and yourself if not administered properly.  Participants will be given a brief overview of pertinent employment laws and how to ensure compliance.

 

The Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) entitles employees satisfying certain eligibility requirements to take time off from their jobs.  Who is eligible and how much time can they take off?  Should they be paid for time off?  What leave records are required to keep?  How do state FMLA laws differ from the federal leave law?  These are just a few of the many challenging questions that will be addressed during this discussion to help attendees navigate through this complex law.  

 

The Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) provides for continuation of health coverage when an employee leaves a practice.  Is an employee entitled to continued medical benefits regardless of whether s/he resigns or is terminated?  Who pays for that coverage and how much does it cost?  When do departing employees need to be notified and who will prepare the official notification?  What is the impact of recently passed American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA)?  Attending this session will provide a basic understanding of the complicated COBRA laws.

 

The "Red Flags" Rule is a regulation issued by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) under the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act (FACTA), a federal law passed in 2003 to strengthen protection against identity theft.  Though enactment of the Red Flags Rule law has been delayed until November 1, 2009, businesses and organizations (including veterinarians) that receive payment after services are provided are required to develop a written program to spot the warning signs – or “red flags” – of identity theft.  Attendees will learn how to spot potential red flags as well as what steps must be taken to satisfy the requirements of the law.