Here is the latest issue of “This & That” Tuesday. I hope you find it to be informative and useful.

 

Announcements

You can always check out my website for upcoming speaking engagements that are guaranteed to be of value to business owners or for a list of topics that I can speak on at Chambers, Clubs, Business Associations, etc. More details about the events, topics and Human Resources 4U, in general, can be found on my website.

Upcoming Talks

May 29, Irwindale "The Impact of the New Minimum Wage on All Employers" Click here for more information.

 

July 9, City of Industry “HR4U 101 Full-day Workshop" Click here for more information.

 

July 17, West Covina "Critical Human Resources Issues for Business Owners" Click here for more information.

 

Does Temporary Agency Employment Count Toward FMLA Eligibility?

An employee is eligible to take FMLA leave when, among other things, he/she has worked for the employer for 12 months (which need not be consecutive) and worked 1,250 hours in the previous 12-month period.

 

According to the Department of Labor, the time worked as a temporary employee does indeed count toward the 12-month service and 1,250 hour requirement.  The FMLA regulations state: “Joint employment will ordinarily be found to exist when a temporary placement agency supplies employees to a secondary employer.”

 

In addition FMLA regulations state: “that for FMLA eligibility purposes an employee's term of employment begins once assigned by the temporary agency, rather than when hired as a permanent employee."

 

However; it is worth noting with respect to temporary employees: keep in mind that the primary employer (i.e., the temp agency) is responsible for providing the required FMLA notices, administering FMLA leave and maintaining health benefits. The secondary employer (i.e., the one receiving the employee's services) becomes responsible for these obligations only after the individual becomes employee a regular employee of the secondary employer.

 

Black surgeon receives $4.5 million in racial bias suit

Dr. Christian Head, a surgeon at UCLA's medical school, will receive $4.5 million to settle a racial discrimination lawsuit against the UC Board of Regents, the university system announced.

 

The agreement settles the lawsuit filed that accused the University of failing to prevent discrimination, harassment and retaliation against Head. The head and neck surgeon alleged that he was retaliated against for filing complaints through normal channels and was denied teaching opportunities.

 

Head also alleged that during a 2006 event for faculty, staff and graduating medical school residents, a slide show created by the residents — and typically reviewed by staff — included a photo in which Head's face was superimposed on a gorilla that was being sodomized by a department chairman, according to the complaint. Without admitting fault or liability, the university acknowledged that "an inappropriate slide was shown" and regrets the incident, the statement said.

 

Dr. Gerald Berke, chairman of the David Geffen School of Medicine's Department of Head and Neck Surgery, and Dr. Marilene Wang were named in the lawsuit and were accused of making "inappropriate racial comments and insinuations about blacks" and Head for years, the court document stated. Both are UCLA physicians and professors.

 

Factoids

• People who negotiate their pay earn $5000 more on average.
• 70% of people are not engaged by their current job
• 39% of workers say they want to be the boss someday

 

Health Care Cost Increases

• 4.1% in 2012
• 2.1% in 2013
• 5.2% in 2014 (projected)

 

Quotes

“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”

~Martin Luther King~