With the Wall Street Journal reporting that the NLRB has more than two dozen cases involving worker complaints aired on the social media site Facebook, the Board is struggling to address some of the issues social media creates in the workplace.
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Ban On Employer Demands For Worker, Applicant Website Passwords–Maryland
The Maryland Senate recently referred Senate Bill 971 which prohibits Maryland employers from demanding that workers and job applicants turn over their passwords to specific websites or web-based accounts. 
Under the bill, employers would be prohibited from refusing to hire applicants and disciplining, terminating, or taking other adverse employment action against employees who refuse to provide
Employers May Consider Applicant’s Bankruptcy When Making Hiring Decision, Eleventh Circuit Rules
One might think that bankruptcy is a private matter, with little to no bearing on whether one can meet the qualifications for a particular job. As my colleagues report today, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit (with jurisdiction over Alabama, Florida and Georgia) joins its sister Circuits (the Third and Fifth Circuits) in
HHS’ Office of Inspector General Recommends More HIPAA Audits
Government report says HIPAA enforcement not sufficient to protect electronic health information and recommends more audits. The result may be more “compliance reviews,” audits, for covered entities and business associates.
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Resigtered Nurse Fired for Facebook Posting While Treating Patients
Registered nurse terminated for posting on Facebook while dispensing medication to a patient loses unemployment claim. Reason: employers’ written electronic communication policy.
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The White House’s Cybersecuirty Legislative Proposal
Today the White House issued a Cybersecurity Legislative Proposal. The proposed legislation focuses on protecting the American people, the nation’s critical infrastructure, and the federal government’s computers and networks. While legislation of this nature would simplify the breach reporting process for businesses, and overall streamline cybersecurity laws, a number of legislative attempts to do this have previously
More Instances of Identity Theft Affecting Children
NBC’s Bob Sullivan reported on a rising trend of identity thieves targeting children. Why? Well, having no real credit history, most children’s credit is clean and good. Also, children, particularly younger children, are not going to be needing or looking at their credit for some time. These factors make children more attractive targets of identity theft.
Mr.
Hospitals Fire 32 Employees for Medical Privacy Breach
The Minneapolis Star Tribune has reported that two hospitals in Anoka County, Minnesota, terminated a combined total of 32 employees for unauthorized access of electronic medical records on May 6, 2011. The two hospitals, Unity Hospital in Fridley, Minnesota and Mercy Hospital in Coon Rapids, Minnesota, are both part of the Allina Health System. In April, the Minnesota Court
Inter-agency Cooperation Nabs HIPAA Violator for HHS
Any illusion an organization may hold that it is operating “under the radar” of regulators should be shattered in the current compliance environment. Governmental agencies are increasingly able to efficiently coordinate with one another in matters of enforcement, and this post is a good example of that.
Continue Reading Inter-agency Cooperation Nabs HIPAA Violator for HHS
NLRB Focus Remains on Social Media
Seemingly intent on making sure it is perceived as current, if not trendy, today’s National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has continued to demonstrate an avid interest in social media. Not only is it paying attention to new media in all its forms, but it is also actively participating, with a Facebook page, a YouTube