News in brief - Oct. 24, 2011

Requirement delayed for practices to display employee organizing rights

Private-sector employers, including medical practices that have expenses or income of $250,000 or more, have more time to comply with the requirement to hang notices about the rights of staff to join a union and negotiate as a group.

The National Labor Relations Board issued a statement on Oct. 5 saying that employers had until Jan. 31, 2012, to comply. Nov. 14 was the previous deadline, but the agency wanted more time to educate and reach out to small and medium-sized businesses about the requirement.

The poster can be downloaded from the NLRB website (www.nlrb.gov/poster).

In addition to stating that employees have the right to collaborate to improve wages and working conditions, the notices declare that people have the right not to participate in such activities. The posters include instances of illegal employer and union behavior and information about how to get in touch with the NLRB to file a complaint.

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CDC funding available for workplace wellness

Small businesses such as physician offices can apply for grants to run physical activity, healthy eating and tobacco cessation programs for employees.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as mandated by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, announced Sept. 30 that a total of $9 million would be distributed to 70 to 100 companies to run such projects over a two-year period. Companies without employee wellness programs as well as those that have well-established ones can apply.

Viridian Health Management, based in Phoenix, is administering the grants. The Research Triangle Institute will handle the evaluation to determine whether the programs improve employee productivity and decrease absenteeism.

More information about the CDC's Comprehensive Workplace Health Programs to Address Physical Activity, Nutrition and Tobacco Use in the Workplace is available online (www.cdc.gov/workplacehealthpromotion/nhwp).

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California law expands telehealth services

A bill signed into law by California Gov. Jerry Brown is aimed at improving access to care, especially for those in rural and underserved areas, by increasing telehealth services in the state.

The law expands the range of services that can be offered by telemedicine as well as the number of people who can provide them by allowing any licensed health care professional to deliver services. The number of telehealth care settings in the state also will be beefed up under the law, and hospitals will be able to establish credentials for telehealth providers more easily. The bill passed with no opposing votes.

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