Hr Compliance Telephone Seminars - Training Resources

Satisfying OFCCP's Internet Applicant Rules BenefitsThe OFCCP has further clarified the long awaited definition of an Internet applicant and the revised guidance gives employers additional direction and assistance into this new and growing area of employment issues. Moreover, the OFCCP has initiated a systematic process for monitoring adherence to the Internet Applicant Rule. This teleconference will review the new and expanded OFCCP  more...

Claims Management Techniques in Workers' Compensation Cases BenefitsThe aftermath of a workplace accident produces difficult and costly ramifications for management personnel in all business and industries. Many parties are involved in every aspect of a claim, including your insurance carrier or servicing agent and counsel, but each of them has to be dealt with in a very different manner. You will learn how to successfully investigate an accident and use  more...

Unique Workers' Compensation Aspects of Independent Contractors and Traveling Employees BenefitsHear experienced attorneys discuss the complex issues that arise when dealing with independent contractors and traveling employees. Take advantage of this opportunity to gain professional knowledge and advanced insight on this important workers' compensation issue. Workers' compensation administrators, human resource managers, benefits professionals, safety and compliance managers,  more...

Current Issues in H-1B Visas BenefitsThis teleconference will outline key issues applicable to company's that employ H-1B temporary workers. Detailed guidance on current H-1B trends, new labor conditional application procedures and H-1B visa issuance will be provided. Special attention will be given to changes in H-1B employment with common scenarios outlined. The teleconference will also present strategies for compliance  more...

Document Retention and Destruction Policies for Financial Institutions BenefitsFinancial institutions too often rely on recommended document retention guidelines without understanding the risks of inconsistent or antiquated practices. While Sarbanes-Oxley has clarified the responsibilities of certain financial institutions, Sarbanes-Oxley is only a portion of the document universe. This teleconference will help you navigate the complex universe of document retention  more...

IRS Guidelines for Good Governance and the Continued Tax Exemption of Section 501(c)(3) Organizations BenefitsGiven continued congressional scrutiny of whether tax exemption is a worthy federal subsidy for any type of tax-exempt organization, proper governance and accountability to the local community are key factors that may distinguish the tax-exempt sector from the taxable sector. The Internal Revenue Service, the press and others have linked the need for good governance to the quest for  more...

Powers of Attorney: Medical Records Release Concerns BenefitsBusy medical practices understand that each day, personal health information is transmitted in various forms between hospitals, doctors, attorneys, insurance companies, patients, and their lawyers and families. With increasing reliance on electronic medical records, health information can be transmitted with minimal effort. However, health information requests become more confusing and  more...

Employee Expense Reimbursement Best Practices BenefitsMany employers spend significant sums on employee expense reimbursement and need to prepare and enforce robust policies to adequately support and monitor reimbursable expenses. In today's economy, establishment of best practices and ensuring compliance is crucial to minimize the cost and legal risk of inappropriate practices. This teleconference will explore the legal landscape governing  more...

Medical Records Releases, Retention and Confidentiality Requirements BenefitsMedical providers and others (health plans, vendors, etc.) who retain medical or health records are often subjected to complex and conflicting requirements to maintain the confidentiality and restrict the disclosure of the information. Complex and overlapping rules and regulations impose rigid requirements that must be met before information is released, and require medical record  more...

HR Time Lines: The Complex Integration of FMLA, WC, Disability and COBRA BenefitsHow do worker's compensation, FMLA, disability and COBRA laws work - together, independently or concurrently? What can run together? What cannot? When can we cancel the health plan, for what reason and is it a COBRA qualifying event? We will pull all of these together to explain the employer's liability. When can coverage be canceled? What laws protect employee benefits? Many times all  more...

Dealing With Employees Who Have Been Charged With a Crime BenefitsOne of the most perplexing problems that can confront an employer arises after the employer discovers that one of its employees has been arrested and charged with a crime. Under our legal system, the familiar mantra is that an arrested person is 'innocent until proven guilty'. So, what can an employer do to address situations where an employee has been arrested or has been charge or  more...

Stimulus Reporting Requirements for Schools BenefitsTen months into the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, this teleconference will review the impact on education entities to date, including compliance risks and challenges. An update and analysis of current issues and guidance will be discussed as well as recent reporting experiences and upcoming reporting requirements. School administrators, teachers, special education  more...

Affirmative Action in Employment - What Does It Really Mean? BenefitsThe Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs is the government agency charged with enforcement of affirmative action regulations. It is armed with a new leader and an increased budget. During fiscal year 2008, the OFCCP recovered a record $67,510,982 in back pay for salary and benefits on behalf of 24,508 individuals who, in OFCCP's view, were subjected to unlawful employment  more...

Medical Records: Responding to Subpoenas and Investigations BenefitsDon't be caught off guard. You could be breaching the confidentiality of patients without even realizing it! From HIPAA requirements to state privacy laws, legal issues abound in the medical records arena. If you're not up to date on medical records law, your company could face serious legal and financial liability risks. Attend this teleconference and gain critical information on  more...

Stark Act Update: Recent Changes and Operational Challenges BenefitsThe Stark Act is a very technical law that prohibits several common financial arrangements between physicians and entities to which they refer, including hospitals. If a physician has a financial arrangement with an entity that bills for or performs 'designated health services,' the financial arrangement will need to meet all components of an applicable exception. If the Stark Act is  more...

Telephone Collections: Do's and Don'ts - Surviving the Jungle BenefitsThe credit and collection industry has grown dramatically over the past 20 years. Creditors are faced with increasing challenges in making loans and extending credit. The collection staff members in these creditor settings face mounting customer difficulties and tighter compliance environments. This teleconference will help you understand the importance of developing an effective recovery  more...

Implications of the Stimulus Package on HIPAA BenefitsThe American Recovery and Reinvestment Act includes substantial changes to requirements for the protection of health information privacy and security under HIPAA, some of which are already in effect. New requirements for business associates of HIPAA covered entities and requirements to notify individuals in the event of a breach are only two of the many areas affected in the new law,  more...

Complying With OSHA Recordkeeping Requirements BenefitsThe Occupational Safety and Health Administration plans to get tough on workplace safety enforcement. OSHA has received more than $50 million in additional funding, plans to hire between 130 and 160 new inspectors, has suspended certain voluntary compliance programs in order to free up resources for enforcement efforts, and has introduced a new program, the Severe Violators Inspection  more...

Everything You Wanted to Know About Drug and Alcohol Testing but Were Afraid to Ask BenefitsMost companies that care about safety in the workplace have implemented a drug and alcohol testing program. An added benefit to companies is a reduction in their workers' compensation insurance premiums. What makes an effective program? What kind of safeguards should there be to ensure accuracy? What does a drug test really measure? What is the best sample: urine, hair or oral fluid? Are  more...

Current Issues in Real Estate Appraisals BenefitsThe financial crisis occurred in mid-2008 and was brought to a crescendo when AIG was taken over and Lehman Brothers failed in September 2008. The reasons behind the failures were many but beneath it all was the collateral position of the real estate and proper risk assessment of the asset. The single most important question is always - What is the value? All federally regulated  more...

Recognizing and Addressing COBRA BenefitsCOBRA - It has CHANGED AGAIN! But it wasn't actually the COBRA law that changed - you must track other laws to be sure you are in compliance. You have heard about the stimulus package but what has it done to our COBRA? The stimulus package now states that employees involuntarily losing their job between September 1, 2008, and December 31, 2009, will have special COBRA privileges including  more...

Sales and Use Taxation of Internet Sales: The Evolving Case Law BenefitsAs federal funds available for state governments are reduced, many states are taking aggressive positions in an attempt to impose sales and use tax obligations on interstate transactions. Internet sellers face a murky and sometimes ill-defined landscape with respect to sales and use taxes that are impacted by both state law and federal constitutional principles. This teleconference will  more...

Internal Controls BenefitsWhether you're part of the Fortune 500 or a small private company, understanding how to develop and implement effective internal controls is critical to your business. In addition to helping you comply with the law, a good system of internal control can dramatically improve your bottom line. In this 90-minute teleconference, you'll learn about basic internal control concepts that will help  more...

Today's Legal Medical Record - A Hybrid Record BenefitsThe goal of this teleconference is to give you some information and a suggested format for developing your definition and policy of the legal health record for your institution. We'll remind ourselves what the real purpose of the medical record is and investigate how we meet those purposes with a hybrid record. We'll look at what the components of the legal medical record include versus  more...

The Interstate Land Sales Full Disclosure Act: Application to Condominiums and Single Family Homes BenefitsIn today's environment, many purchasers of condominium units and homesites are trying to back out of their purchases. Learn how to keep your hard-earned condominium unit sales and single-family home sales from slipping away. Many condominium developers and home builders who are subject to the federal Interstate Land Sales Full Disclosure Act do not understand how to comply, or perhaps  more...

Direct Cost Accounting and Indirect Cost Allocation for Not-For-Profit Organizations BenefitsThis teleconference will help you deepen your understanding of direct cost accounting and indirect allocation rules, risks and best practices to achieve compliance with accounting requirements and maximize cost reimbursement. Accountants, attorneys, executive directors, officers, controllers, CFOs, tax managers and enrolled agents  more...

Determining Meaningful Use for Electronic Health Records BenefitsThe 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act stimulus package allotted nearly $20 billion in direct funding and incentives for health care providers to implement health information technology provided they demonstrate 'meaningful use' of a 'certified' electronic health record. This teleconference is intended to provide you with a timely update on the federal government's requirements  more...

Employee Safety and Health Systems: Cutting Injuries Using the Team Approach BenefitsTraditional safety committees involve a small number of employees and are often managed by the individual responsible for the facility safety and health system. The problem is that the success of the committee, and thus the system success, is predicated by the authority given to the committee and its leadership which in most cases is low to nonexistent. The bottom line is that employee  more...

International Purchasing: Current Trends and Supply Chain Security BenefitsThis teleconference will discuss improved supply chain security and vendor performance, as well as reduce risk of liability for third-party violations of U.S. law and other misconduct. The speaker will discuss how to facilitate dealings with U.S. Customs and Border Protection and speed customs clearance of incoming shipments. The teleconference will provide you with an increased awareness  more...

Preparing for Medicaid Audits BenefitsThe current and future state of Medicaid audits - are you and your clients adequately prepared? The Medicaid program is a state's most significant health care expense and, in many instances, one of its largest budgetary items. It is the health insurer of last resort for children and the economically disadvantaged. The recent economic downturn has caused shortfalls to many states' overall  more...

Deductions From Pay BenefitsEmployers often have difficulties navigating through the complex requirements of the Fair Labor Standards Act. Misclassifying employees' status can be costly to an employee. It is estimated that at least 70 percent of employers are not in compliance with the FLSA. As Department of Labor audits increase, it is critical for employers to understand the FLSA and to recognize the permissible  more...

Billing and Collecting for the Health Care Industry BenefitsDon't miss this billing and collecting teleconference presented by Neltner Billing Consulting Services, Inc. During the teleconference, we will present an overview of coding, billing and auditing for evaluation and management services. We will discuss common billing errors and practical methods for ensuring compliance. We will also share specific techniques for claims processing, payment  more...

Unclaimed Property Compliance: Are you Ready for the Upcoming Reporting Deadline? BenefitsIs your company ready to file your unclaimed property report by the November 1 deadline? Who within your company is responsible for ensuring compliance with the various state unclaimed property laws? Is your company currently undergoing an unclaimed property audit? If you are struggling to find the answer to any one of these important compliance questions, this teleconference is for you!  more...

Prevailing Wage Law--An Understanding of The Davis-Bacon Act BenefitsWage and hour laws have become the principal source for the new wave of employment class actions, which often result in hundreds of thousands of dollars, and in many cases millions of dollars, of recoverable damages and attorneys' fees awarded to the successful litigants and their attorneys - in addition to the substantial amount of legal fees and administrative costs incurred by  more...

Legal Issues Surrounding the Utilization and Maintenance of Computerized Medical Records BenefitsWith the federal government's prioritization of health information technology and evidence that electronic health record systems can reduce medical errors and lead to more efficient delivery of care, many hospitals and providers are beginning to implement EHRs in their facilities and practices. Despite federal regulations that permit certain donations of EHR technology, the implementation  more...

GSA Price Reduction Clauses (PRC) in Contracts BenefitsGSA Federal Supply Schedule contracting is a convenient way for companies to sell their products to the federal government. However, doing business under GSA FSS contracts presents a number of compliance issues, with one of the most important being the price reduction clause. This clause is included in all of the GSA Multiple Award Schedule schedules and essentially it guarantees that GSA  more...

Immigration Compliance for the HR Professional: Employment Authorization Issues and Beyond BenefitsAll United States employers must comply with employment authorization and verification laws, regardless of the size or composition of their workforce. This teleconference will supply you with the information you need to ensure your company is in compliance with employment authorization rules and regulations. Detailed guidance on employment verification procedures, Social Security number  more...

Fundamentals of SBA Lending: Documenting, Closing and Funding the SBA Loan BenefitsSBA lending affords banks and other lending institutions with the opportunity to finance commercial loans to small businesses and, at the same time, secure a 50 to 90 percent loan guarantee from the federal government. While the program can be quite profitable, it's not without its risks. Compliance with SBA regulations is mandatory to ensure success and profitability. With seismic changes  more...

A Privacy Law Primer: What Every Attorney, Compliance and Security Officer Should Know BenefitsPrivacy and information security legislation, standards and case law are having an ever-larger impact on your relationships with your customers, clients and employees, as well as on your company's management of personal information. Issue-spotting in this area requires some familiarity with the complex state, federal and international regulatory patchwork and nongovernmental standards that  more...

Medical Identity Theft: Why You Must Prevent and How to Minimize Its Occurrence BenefitsMore and more patient information is being captured electronically, both within the provider setting and remotely from the patients themselves. Additionally, an increasing number of myriad touches of this data occur on a daily basis by various known and unknown entities, not all of whom are authorized or have a specific need to know. In this environment, ample opportunity exists for  more...

Fair Housing Act: 2009 Hot Topics BenefitsThis teleconference will focus primarily on the areas of the Fair Housing Act that are, and have been, receiving the most attention in the courts in the past several years: disability rights and familial status. The program, which focuses on multifamily dwellings, both rental and condominium-type ownership, is intended to provide information to those performing acquisition due diligence,  more...

Medical Records 101: Responding to Requests for Patient Information BenefitsRegister for this teleconference and get an overview of medical management issues faced by health care providers in responding to requests for patient information for litigation purposes. The conference speaker, who has extensive experience in civil litigation, including the representation of large medical institutions, will provide guidance in avoiding mistakes in disseminating patient  more...

Dress Code Liabilities BenefitsIn this teleconference, you will learn how to deal with complicated and sensitive issues involving how employees dress, the number and type of jewelry worn by employees, and the number and type of tattoos visible on employees while at work. This teleconference will explore the pros and cons of different options in written policies and discuss different approaches in dealing with these  more...

Making Revisions to Closed Medical Records BenefitsMedical records contain some of the most sensitive and personal information that exists about individuals in modern society, and some closed records may need revision because of new information received or because of the requests of individuals to correct or modify existing information. When is it appropriate to make revisions, how and under what circumstances, and at whose request? This  more...

Employment Law Compliance: Disciplining or Terminating a Workers' Comp Claimant BenefitsWhether due to legitimate injury or goldbricking, there is no debating that employee absences cost employers in lost productivity, missed deadlines, supervisor stress and tension among co-workers who are required to pick up the slack. Often an employer's plan to discipline or discharge is put on hold when the employee goes out on leave. How can employers deal with these situations? This  more...

Major Issues in WiMAX Tower Leases and Zoning BenefitsHigh speed over the air broadband service for your computer, home or office, often called WiMAX service, is being rolled out in more than 80 U.S. metropolitan areas in 2009 and 2010. WiMAX is like Wi-Fi computer service, but covers an entire city or county. WiMAX will lead to more leases of land for communications towers because an entire new set of antennas and some new towers will be  more...

Current Trends in Carbon Credits and Markets BenefitsThe world of greenhouse gas regulation is increasingly complex. International, national, state and regional greenhouse gas reduction programs typically include carbon offsets or allowances as one of the tools to achieve compliance. This teleconference will help those who are involved with and responsible for climate change programs and compliance to understand the nature, use and value of  more...

Creating a Payroll Manual: Putting Your Procedures into Writing BenefitsPayroll has always been complicated due to compliance issues but with addition of technology, payroll processes have become more involved. This has put payroll professionals in a position to get stuck in the 'get the payroll out' each week rut. This teleconference is going to help you create and write complete process documentation that would allow any associate in your department be able  more...

Managing External Health Information BenefitsMany health care providers remain frustrated and uncertain about how to handle external health information. This information may come in the form of unsolicited health information - i.e., information that is volunteered by patients or by other health care providers, either at the time the patient arrives for treatment or thereafter - and in some cases even after the patient has been  more...

Effective Auditing of Physicians' Notes BenefitsPhysician documentation and subsequent charge capture of physician services is becoming more complex and scrutinized than ever before. Join us for this teleconference during which we will teach you how to audit physician notes from your own practice. We will cover all aspects of coding for evaluation and management services, and the appropriate documentation of these services. We will  more...

Managing Employees' Pre-Existing Conditions: Strategies for Reducing Injury Losses nBy attending this teleconference, you will learn the fundamentals of managing employees with pre-existing health conditions. In addition to an understanding of the interplay between federal laws prohibiting discrimination against health conditions and state workers' compensation laws, you will learn the nuances of distinguishing between pre-existing conditions and new work-related injuries. Learn  more...

New Rules and Formats for International ACH Transactions nInternational commerce is rapidly growing but with that growth comes challenges, the most significant being the need to track transactions to ensure funds are not being disbursed to or from individuals that are threats to the U.S. The Office of Foreign Asset Control is the government organization that tracks this information. Their regulations require that all international transactions comply  more...

Design Codes and Standards for Noise Control nAcoustics strongly affects the human response to our environment and yet noise rises to the top of any list of user complaints in buildings. Complaints relate to poor hearing conditions, annoyance from neighbors, inadequate privacy, noisy mechanical equipment and a plethora of other issues. This teleconference will provide you with information on how to use building design to control sound and  more...

Enabling Loan Processes with Paperless Files nLenders today face a variety of challenges - loss mitigation, fraud detection, audit compliance, underwriting and risk mitigation; and access demands on loan documentation are greater than ever. This teleconference will help you understand the benefits and potential pitfalls of paperless loan files, the considerations that must be made in choosing and implementing paperless systems, and the ways  more...

Utilizing Settlement and Severance Packages Properly nFor HR professionals and CFOs, this teleconference is a must. As companies face ongoing reductions in force, mass layoffs and performance-based terminations, this teleconference will tell you what you need to do in planning terminations both as reductions in force and other terminations. You will learn how to decide the appropriate severance and what should be contained in the severance agreement  more...

Preventing Workers' Compensation Abuse nNationwide, workers' compensation abuse costs the insurance industry billions of dollars each year. It is sometimes called "The Hidden Tax" because each of us absorbs these monies in the costs of goods and services each year. This teleconference will give you a better understanding of workers' compensation abuse, keys to a successful investigation and how to avoid claim pitfalls. This  more...

Smoking Discrimination in the Workplace: On and Off the Clock nDriven by reports that smokers file more health insurance claims and are absent more frequently than nonsmokers, a growing number of employers have implemented programs to minimize the number of smokers in its workforce. These employer programs range from offering quit smoking programs to refusing to hire smokers and even terminating smokers. Privacy advocates argue an employer's interest in the  more...

California Employment Law Update nCompanies with employees in California face a bewildering and complicated set of employment laws, which are often inconsistent with federal law. This three-hour teleconference will address the most important and current issues facing California employers (or out-of-state companies with employees in California), including wage and hour compliance and litigation trends, California's unique  more...

Supplemental Wage Payments: Common Withholding Guidelines nThis teleconference will assist you in evaluating your current income tax withholding practices to facilitate compliance with IRS regulatory changes and will offer practical tips to help ease administrative burdens. The program will educate you with respect to the issues involved in determining when wage payments should be classified as supplemental wages or regular wages, and the applicable  more...

SAS 70 Requirements, Obligations, and Audit Survival Best Practices nToday's regulatory requirements are forcing corporate customers to become more aware of their vendors' internal controls and security than ever before. Maintaining an up-to-date SAS 70 report based on an audit of the effectiveness your organization's control objectives and activities can help satisfy these customers' concerns. To successfully navigate the SAS 70 audit process, it is important to  more...

Understanding Pregnancy Leave and Return to Work Issues nUnder federal and state law, employers must not treat pregnant employees any differently from other employees. But, what exactly does this mean? Questions often arise as to how much leave a woman may take, what her rights are when she is on leave and what rights does she have when she returns to work. Employers often times are unwittingly violating the law. This teleconference will help you avoid  more...

FDIC's Role When a Financial Institution Fails: What Businesses and Bankers Need to Know nThe FDIC is modernizing its current business processes and procedures for determining deposit insurance coverage in the event of a failure of one of the largest insured depository institutions. This teleconference will provide you with information on the complex rules governing FDIC insurance coverage and how to maximize FDIC coverage. The coverage rules, the new rules recently passed and  more...

Creating Investment Policies For Your Nonprofit: Risk Tolerance, Reserve Funds and Portfolio Management Capacity nEstablishing and maintaining investment policies that fall in line with the needs, risk tolerance and portfolio management capacity of your organization are critical to its success. At this teleconference we will take a strategic look at the components that contribute to creating strong investment policies. Included will be discussions on understanding the needs of your organization, spending  more...

Understanding the New GFE and HUD-1/IA Settlement Statements nEffective January 1, 2010, all residential mortgage loan originators will have to change their loan origination forms and procedures to comply with a new rule recently adopted by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The new rule dramatically changes both the Good Faith Estimate and the HUD-1 and HUD-1A Uniform Settlement Statements required by the federal Real Estate Settlement  more...

FDCPA Claims Based on Collection Letters nThe collection of debts and judgments is a challenge for most businesses even when the economy is healthy. However, during times of economic slowdown and recession, you will face a higher volume of slow-pay and no-pay problems with both vendors and customers. This teleconference is designed to provide an overview of the Federal Fair Debt Practices Act; an explanation of key terms and definitions  more...

Form I-9: Updates and Compliance Strategies for Employers nThe Department of Homeland Security recently issued new employment verification rules and Form I-9. Join us as we examine these changes. A wide range of Form I-9 issues and compliance tips will be addressed, including E-Verify program considerations.  more...

Managing And Disciplining Unsafe Employees - A Cornerstone Of An Effective Safety Program nThis teleconference will examine the importance of managing and disciplining unsafe employees on the success of any business. Part of the discussion will examine the potential detrimental impact of ignoring unsafe employees can have on a company and the possible civil and criminal liability that can occur. This teleconference will examine the policies and procedures that need to be in place to  more...

Impact of the New ADA Amendments on Schools nOn January 1, 2009, new federal legislation took effect that dramatically expanded the range of individuals eligible for protections guaranteed by the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. ADA specified the rights guaranteed to individuals broadly qualified as "disabled." These rights applied to the areas of hiring and working conditions for all employees and also to students eligible for  more...

IRS Form W-9 and W-8 Series: Payee Identification and Tax Determination nForm W-9 is used to obtain a valid TIN number from a payee. This teleconference will cover the requirements and compliance of form W-9. Payers of various types need to file information returns with the IRS regarding payments to individuals and other types of business entities. The most common are the 1099 series used to report payments to contractors, dividends, interest, real estate  more...

Preparing for and Properly Reacting To Legal and Illegal Drug and Alcohol Use in the Workplace nDrug and alcohol abuse continues to have a huge impact on employee productivity and safety. At the same time, recognizing drug and alcohol abuse is outside the expertise of most managers and human resource personnel, while dealing with the problem improperly can lead to significant liability under federal and law, including the Americans With Disabilities Act and employee privacy laws. This  more...

Unrelated Business Income Tax - Tax Information for Charities and Other Nonprofits nThe recent activity in the charitable sector by federal and state regulatory agencies has mandated that professionals take a proactive approach into all aspects of this important and very diverse sector. The tax-exempt community is under a microscope. Problems that a few years ago might have gone unnoticed now get picked up and widely broadcast. Recent IRS compliance initiatives in governance,  more...

Effective Exit Interviews nMost employers are always looking for ways to improve employee relations, attract new employees and retain the ones they have. But how do you know what to do to improve if you don't know what employees are looking for or why they are leaving? n nImplemented properly, a good exit interview program can provide an employer with a host of valuable information that can be used to improve its employee  more...

401(k) Plan Costs Including Recent Update on Supreme Court Rule LaRue v. DeWolff, Boberg & Associates Inc. nUnhappy employees, U.S. Department of Labor investigations, IRS investigations, massive class action lawsuits - an ever-expanding list of factors bombards sponsors of 401(k) plans and places companies and their management potentially in the cross hairs. From Enron, Worldcom and Sarbanes-Oxley, to the more recent massive class actions filed against Fortune 500 companies regarding 401(k) plan  more...

Designing Effective Interest Rate Risk Management in Turbulent Times nThe current market has created challenges in managing risks while making a profit. Our tools for risk measurement were in place to help us take action to avoid as much of the impact as possible; yet a review of bank interest margins in the wake of massive rate reductions shows that bankers have a ways to go when using the interest rate risk information to make decisions. n nDuring this  more...

Avoid Wrongful Termination Lawsuits: Strategies to Keep Your Managers Out of Legal Trouble nThis teleconference will review tried-and-true methods for eliminating employment litigation risks, will build managers' confidence in dealing with a range of common-place employee issues, and sharpen their understanding of workplace practices and policies which will dramatically reduce exposure to litigation risks for themselves and their companies.  more...

Criminal Liabilities Under HIPAA-Who Knew You Could Go to Prison? nMany hospitals, physician offices and other covered entities have been surprised to learn that HIPAA rules provide for criminal penalties - up to 10 years in prison for intentional violations! Health plans, health care clearinghouses, health care providers and Medicare prescription drug card sponsors may be prosecuted criminally for HIPAA violations. n nWith ID theft on the rise, prosecutors are  more...

The Streamlined Sales Tax Project - How and Why It Affects Your Business nThe Streamlined Sales Tax Project is an effort by state representatives to implement a national uniform, simplified system of sales and use tax compliance. After more than five years of their efforts, the Simplified Sales and Use Tax Agreement came into effect on October 1, 2005. The SSTP now includes 19 full member states and three associate member states. Although initially taking effect as a  more...

Conducting Successful HR Audits nIncreasingly, human capital is an organization's most important asset - it's certainly one of its largest expenses. Yet many of the management techniques and assessment tools used to manage and assess other assets and processes of the organization have not been applied to HR. That is changing. As the implications and risks of misaligned, mismanaged and unlawful employment practices become more  more...

Hot Topics for 501(c)(3) Organizations nThere has been a lot of talk about the revised Form 990 and it's finally here! Whether you love it or loathe it, you can't put it off any longer. We will spend a majority of the time talking about some of the hot-button issues that the new form raises both in terms of simple compliance and in communicating with and involving your board. But wait, there's more! After this teleconference, you'll  more...

E-Verify Mandates and Mechanisms for Compliance nE-Verify is an online system that allows participating employers to check the work status of new hires by comparing information from an employee's Form I-9 against Social Security Administration and Department of Homeland Security databases. Although initially implemented as a voluntary program, many states now require the use of E-Verify. Additionally, as a result of a presidential executive  more...

Compliance With the PCI/CISP Credit Card Security Standards nThe Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard is now in its third year of existence and iteration. Derived from the original VISA Cardholder Information Security Program and MasterCard Site Data Protection program, PCI-DSS's now 245 distinct requirements have troubled merchants and financial institutions alike for years. This teleconference will help you understand how PCI-DSS applies to your  more...

Green Contracting: the Federal Government's Procurement Policies nMany federal contractors will have questions regarding the effective implementation of the OFPP policy and will further be concerned as to whether its costs will impact their competitiveness or ability to perform economically. Additionally, the monitoring and reporting that the government will require will have an impact on time and costs and one wonders if contractual sanctions will be imposed  more...

Employee Discipline for Conduct Outside of Work nIn this informative 90-minute teleconference, you will learn the legal rights and responsibilities of employers in disciplining employees for conduct outside of work. You'll hear about recent legislation and court cases involving some of the hottest topics in employment law, including employee discipline for blogging, web-based "employer trashing," workplace dating and extramarital affairs, and  more...

Medical Privacy Rights of Minors nMedical providers and others who come into contact with medical or health records are often subjected to complex and conflicting requirements to maintain the confidentiality and restrict the use of the information. When those providers and others deal with minors, the complexity increases dramatically. When the right of an individual to privacy and security with regard to his or her medical  more...

Issues Surrounding Student Discipline nStudent discipline impacts a student's civil and contractual rights, and it remains an area of potential liability for school districts relative to those rights. Of course, a failure to observe proper procedures and processes could also result in a reviewing body, reversing the discipline imposed in a particular case, thereby causing a substantial disruption of the educational process. Developing  more...

A Tax Primer on Real Estate Investment Trusts nMore than $375 billion are invested in approximately 180 publicly traded real estate investment trusts (or REITs). In addition, billions more are invested in privately held REITs. This teleconference will provide an introductory summary of the tax requirements REITs face in their formation and ongoing operations. You will develop a basic understanding of REITs through this program. The  more...