Upload
trinhdan
View
216
Download
2
Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
DES MOINES DISTRICT DENTAL SOCIETY
FALL MEETING
October 17, 2014
BrownWinick Law Firm
666 Grand Avenue, Suite 2000
Des Moines, IA 50309-2510
Telephone: 515-242-2400
Facsimile: 515-283-0231
WWW.BROWNWINICK.COM
HIPAA FOR THE
DENTAL PRACTICE
Catherine C. Cownie
Adam J. Freed
BrownWinick
666 Grand Avenue, Suite 2000
Des Moines, IA 50309-2510
Telephone: 515-242-2490
Overview
• HIPAA and HITECH
• Laws Applicable to Specific Categories of Medical Information
• Substance Abuse
• Mental Health
• AIDS
• Employment
Who is Required to Comply with
HIPAA?
• “Covered Entities” • Health plans
• Health care clearinghouses
• Health care providers who transmit health information in electronic form in connection with a covered transaction
• “Business Associates”
• Other Entity Types: • Hybrid
• Affiliated Covered Entities
• Organized Health Care Arrangement
Who is a “Business Associate”?
A “business associate” is a person who:
1. “On behalf of [a] covered entity . . . but other than in the capacity of a member of the workforce of such covered entity . . . creates, receives, maintains, or transmits protected health information for a function or activity regulated by this subchapter, including claims processing or administration, data analysis, processing or administration, utilization review, quality assurance, patient safety activities listed at 42 CFR 3.20, billing, benefit management, practice management, and repricing; or”
2. “Provides, other than in the capacity of a member of the workforce of such covered entity, legal, actuarial, accounting, consulting, data aggregation (as defined in § 164.501 of this subchapter), management, administrative, accreditation, or financial services to or for such covered entity, or to or for an organized health care arrangement in which the covered entity participates, where the provision of the service involves the disclosure of protected health information from such covered entity or arrangement, or from another business associate of such covered entity or arrangement, to the person.”
Source: 45 C.F.R. § 160.103
A “Business Associate” includes
Subcontractors.
A “business associate” includes:
• “a subcontractor that creates, receives,
maintains, or transmits protected health
information on behalf of the business
associate.”
Source: 45 CFR § 160.103
What is “Protected Health
Information”?
“Individually identifiable health information”
that is:
• Transmitted by electronic media;
• Maintained in electronic media; or
• Transmitted or maintained in any other
form or medium.
What is a Business Associate
Required to Do?
A business associate must provide
“satisfactory assurances” that it will
appropriately safeguard the information.
The Business Associate provides the
satisfactory assurances in a “Business
Associate Agreement.”
What are the Penalties for Failure to
Comply with HIPAA and HITECH?
Civil Penalties:
CE or BA did not know and by exercising reasonable diligence would not have known of the violation:
• $100 to $50,000 per violation.
• Not to exceed $1,500,000 for identical violations during a year.
Violation due to reasonable cause and not willful neglect:
• $1,000 to $50,000 per violation.
• Not to exceed $1,500,000 for identical violations during a year.
45 C.F.R. § 160.404
What are the Penalties for Failure to
Comply with HIPAA and HITECH?
Civil Penalties (cont.):
Violation due to willful neglect but corrected within required time period (30 days):
• $10,000 to $50,000 per violation.
• Not to exceed $1,500,000 for identical violations during a year.
Violation due to willful neglect and not corrected:
• $50,000 per violation.
• Not to exceed $1,500,000 for identical violations during a year.
45 C.F.R. § 160.404
What are the Penalties for Failure to
Comply with HIPAA and HITECH?
Criminal Penalties:
Knowingly obtain or disclose PHI in violation:
• Up to 1 year in prison
Offenses committed under false pretenses:
• Up to 5 years in prison
Offenses committed for personal gain or
malicious harm:
• Up to 10 years in prison
2014 Iowa Legislative
Update
Marc Beltrame
BrownWinick
666 Grand Avenue, Suite 2000
Des Moines, IA 50309-2510
Telephone: 515-242-2449 (direct)
Telephone: 515-229-9134 (cell)
Facsimile: 515-323-8549
E-mail: [email protected]
Political Considerations
Iowa Senate:
26 (Democrats) 24 (Republicans)
Iowa House:
53 (Republicans) 47 (Democrats
Governor Terry Branstad (Republican)
2014 = Election Year
2014 General Election
Iowa Senate: 26 (D) 24 (R)
Four seats in play
1. Beall (D) v. Kraayenbrink (R) (Ft. Dodge) [R 875)
2. Allen (D) v. Bruntz (Newton) [[D 1839]
3. Kinny (D) v. Moore (Washington County) [R183]
4. Siegel (D) v. Chelgren (Ottumwa) [D 3062]
Iowa House:
53 (Republicans) 47 (Democrats
Republicans add to their majority
Governor Terry Branstad (Republican) Cruises to re-election
U.S. Senate Tossup
Congressional 1st and 3rd Competitive
2013 Review
“Major Activity”
1. Historic commercial property tax reform legislation.
2. Education reform.
3. Medicaid reform.
Result: A. $1 billion surplus spent
B. Appetite for major action in 2014 limited
2014 Overview
Major Accomplishments of Session
Major Disappointments
Tax
Litigation
Agriculture/Environmental
Major Accomplishments
Tuition Freeze (2nd Straight year)
Medical Cannabis Oil
Drone Regulation
Greyhound Racing
Paddlefishing
Crossbows
Uniform Power of Attorney Act
Major Disappointments
Gas tax increase
Broadband expansion
Texting while driving
Fantasy sports authorization
Easier power transmission line permitting
Sales tax increase for outdoor trust fund
Tax
Military Veterans (SF 303)
1. Exempts military pensions from state income tax
(surviving spouses included in exemption)
2. Part of “Home Base Iowa” proposal to recruit
veterans from others states to Iowa.
3. Passed.
Litigation
Wage Payment Collection Act (SF 2295) 1. Makes violations strict liability (removes intent
requirement).
2. Expands retaliatory action to persons other than employees (so-called “whistleblower”).
3. Creates a rebuttable presumption that employer did not pay required minimum wage if records are not kept property by employer.
4. Passed Senate but did not become law.
Real Estate Matters for
Dental Practices
Kelly Hamborg
BrownWinick
666 Grand Avenue, Suite 2000
Des Moines, IA 50309
Telephone: 515-242-2447
E-mail: [email protected]
Common Structures for
Selling a Dental Practice
Drew D. Larson
BrownWinick
666 Grand Avenue, Suite 2000
Des Moines, IA 50309-2510
Telephone: 515-242-2485
E-mail: [email protected]
Selling a Practice
All dental practices are going to
transition at some point.
Hopefully the owner is able to get some
value out of it through a sale.
Usually through sale to a younger
dentist/employee or to a competitor.
Common Goals
Clarity regarding ongoing duties and
obligations.
Reaching a deal that meets each party’s
needs and expectations.
Managing tax issues and risks.
Maintaining continuing business
operations during transition.
Goals - Seller
Get the best price for the business.
Minimize ongoing obligations and
liabilities.
Maximize up front cash.
Goals - Buyer
Get the best price for the business.
Ensure you know what you are getting
into.
Ensure you have a remedy if the seller
breached the agreement.
Due Diligence
Begins pre-agreement, opportunity for
Buyer to research Seller.
Process to overcome information
asymmetry. Seller knows its own
business better than Buyer.
Covers everything.
Due Diligence – Seller Prep
Be ready to disclose the key items.
• Financials
• Assets and Real Estate
• Corporate Documentation
• Tax Information
• Litigation
• Employee Matters
• Regulatory/Payer Compliance
Due Diligence – Seller Prep
If a Seller does not have clean records
and good information, it increases the
Buyer’s risk.
Buyers (and their financing sources)
abhor risk.
Poor documentation and financial
information can easily sink a deal or
substantially lower the price.
Advantages to Selling Dental
Practice
Buyer already knows how business
works.
If Buyer an employee, already knows the
business.
Financing generally available.
Asset Purchase
Generally preferred by Buyers.
Best limits successor liability.
Provides a stepped up basis.
Requires depreciation recapture for
Seller, if applicable.
Generally ordinary income up to amount
of depreciation recapture, then capital
gains.
Stock Purchase
Generally preferred by Sellers.
Can be simpler, no transfer of contracts,
etc. (may have notice requirements).
No step up in basis for Buyer.
Generally all capital gains in excess of
basis.
Indemnification and Remedies
Survival – Protection and Certainty
Indemnification
Defense of Claims
Baskets, Caps
Setoff
Exclusivity of Remedies?
Other Issues
Employment Agreement
Non-Compete Obligations
Confidentiality
Earn Out
Transition Assistance
Estate Planning: A Basis
Check-Up
Robert D. Hodges
BrownWinick
666 Grand Avenue, Suite 2000
Des Moines, IA 50309-2510
Telephone: 515-242-2465
Facsimile: 515-343-8465
E-mail: [email protected]
Disclaimer
IRS Circular 230 Notice: To ensure compliance with requirements imposed by
the IRS, we inform you that, except to the extent expressly provided to the
contrary, any federal tax advice contained in this communication is not intended
or written to be used, and cannot be used, for the purpose of (i) avoiding
penalties under the Internal Revenue Code or (ii) promoting, marketing, or
recommending to another party any transaction or matter addressed herein.
Please consult your tax advisor for advice specific to your individual situation.
This presentation should be considered general in nature and not specific legal
advice. No attorney-client relationship is intended or implied.
“BIG PICTURE” ENVIRONMENT
$5,340,000 for unified credit 2014
Increased rate to 40%
“Portability” permanent
GST mirrors unified credit
Annual exclusion gifting still viable
“CHOPPING BLOCK” ITEMS
$5,340,000 for unified credit
Minority/Marketability Discounts
“File and suspend” for Social Security
“Rolling GRATs”
NON-TAXABLE ESTATES
Income tax efficiency may drive decisions
Portability return part of standard practice
Planning for non-involved children
Right of first refusals
COMMON MISTAKES
Incorrect beneficiary designations
No powers of attorney
Reluctance to use trusts
No periodic “check ups”
BENEFICIARY PROBLEMS
The will NOT “figure it out”
“Fair” vs. Equal
Fix a valuation formula in the plan
Be explicit regarding property distribution
Fiduciary designations
PROBATE AVOIDANCE
Pitfalls of probate
• Public, Slow, and Expensive
• Not a catastrophic result
“All or nothing” approach
Non-attorney involvement
AVOIDING FRAUD AND
ABUSE PITFALLS
BRADLEY R. KRUSE
BrownWinick
666 Grand Avenue, Suite 2000
Des Moines, IA 50309-2510
Telephone: 515-242-2460
Facsimile: 515-323-8560
E-mail: [email protected]
INTRODUCTION AND OVERVIEW
Identification and avoidance of
fraudulent and abusive practices
RAC audits
Responding to insurance companies and
governmental agencies
IDENTIFICATION AND
AVOIDANCE OF FRAUDULENT
AND ABUSIVE PRACTICES
Introduction • The National Health Care Anti-Fraud Association
(NHCAA) estimates that between 3 and 10 percent of
the nation’s annual benefits paid for health care were
paid for fraudulent or abusive submissions.
• Estimations by fraud analysts indicate that there is a
greater percentage of fraud in dentistry than there is in
medicine.
• The result is potentially more scrutiny on dentistry.
Dental Fraud Defined
Dental Fraud is any act of intentional
deception or misrepresentation of
treatment facts made for the purpose of
gaining unauthorized benefits.
Acts of dental fraud contain 3 defining
features, namely intent, deception and
unlawful gain.
Types and Examples of
Fraudulent and Abusive Practices
Billing for Services Not Performed
• Avoiding this problem is basically self-explanatory.
• Certain situations can be more complicated.
• E.g., billing for a crown at the prep date rather than the
cementation date; question arises when the service was
actually performed. Many dentists send in for payment for
crowns at the prep time, but many insurance carriers consider
the crown completed only after it is cemented.
• Important to check benefits manual.
• Honest disclosure of the situation is best practice for avoiding
any problems with the carrier.
Types and Examples of
Fraudulent and Abusive Practices
Upcoding
• Upcoding occurs when a coding procedure with a
more extensive degree of difficulty is used than what
was actually performed.
• E.g., the provider renders a standard prophylaxis
(01110) but the insurance carrier is billed for a
periodontal scaling and root planing (04341).
Types and Examples of
Fraudulent and Abusive Practices
Waiver of Co-Payments
• Co-payments considered essential element of
cost structure of contract between the insured
and the insurance carrier.
• Waiving co-payments arguably encourages
more usage of the coverage than would
normally occur, distorting the cost structure of
the insurance.
Types and Examples of
Fraudulent and Abusive Practices
Waiver of Deductibles
• As with co-payments, deductibles considered
an essential element of an insurance carrier’s
cost structure.
• Waiver of deductibles arguably encourages
more usage of coverage, potentially distorting
cost structure.
Types and Examples of
Fraudulent and Abusive Practices
Altering Dates of Service
• The date a procedure is performed is
important, as it relates to patient eligibility
requirements and waiting periods.
• It is fraudulent to send a claim for treatment
using a date other than the actual date of
service.
Types and Examples of
Fraudulent and Abusive Practices
Unbundling or Improper Use of Codes • The American Dental Association defines unbundling
as “the separating of a dental procedure into
component parts with each part having a charge, so
that the cumulative charge for the components is
greater than the total charge to patients who are not
beneficiaries of a dental benefit plan for the same
procedure.”
• It is considered fraudulent to use several codes, i.e.,
unbundling, to describe a service where one code is
sufficient.
Types and Examples of
Fraudulent and Abusive Practices
Unbundling or Improper Use of Codes • Example: Dentist performs a 1-surface occlusal amalgam
and sends in separate claims for local anesthesia (09210),
office visit (09430), amalgam-1 surface (02140) and pulp
cap indirect (03120); instead, coding the matter as
amalgam-1 surface (02140) is sufficient.
• Another example occurs when dentist charges not just for an
extraction, but also separately for elevating the flap, curetting
out the periapical tissue, incision, and drainage that were in
connection with the extraction, as well as charging for
suturing the socket. Such procedures are all part of the
global fee for extraction of a tooth and should not be billed
separately.
Types and Examples of
Fraudulent and Abusive Practices
Misrepresenting Patient Identities
• Self-explanatory: Performing on one patient
but sending in a claim for a different person is
fraud.
Types and Examples of
Fraudulent and Abusive Practices
Not Disclosing Existence of Additional
Primary Coverage
• Patients covered by more than one dental
plan may receive benefits from all plans.
• Sending in multiple claims to different carriers
as if they were each the primary carrier is
considered fraudulent.
Types and Examples of
Fraudulent and Abusive Practices
Performing Unnecessary Services
• Performing and billing for services that were
not needed or providing additional services or
procedures beyond what is required by the
patient’s condition is considered fraudulent.
Types and Examples of
Fraudulent and Abusive Practices
Misrepresentation of Services
• Involves changing the code to increase the
amount of the claim.
• Example: A provider that performs a routine
dental extraction but used the procedure code
for impacted teeth.
Types and Examples of
Fraudulent and Abusive Practices
Unlicensed Employees
• Use of hygienists, assistants or other staff to
perform treatments if such persons are not
licensed or qualified and then billing the
procedure as if performed by the dentist.
RAC Audits
Introduction
• The Recovery Audit Contractor (RAC)
Program was created through the Medicare
Modernization Act of 2003 to identify and
recovery improper Medicare payments made
to health care providers under fee-for-service
Medicare plans.
RAC Audits
• The mission of the Recovery Audit Program is
to identify and correct Medicare improper
payments and collect overpayments made on
health care services provided to Medicare
beneficiaries, so that the CMS can implement
actions that will prevent future improper
payments in all 50 states.
RAC Audits
• Detection and collection of overpayments is
made through RAC audits conducted by RAC
vendors (in Iowa, Optum Public Sector
Solutions, Inc.)
• RAC audit contractors paid contingency fee
based on amounts they identify and recover.
• Iowa uses a tiered contingency fee
percentage structure.
RAC Audits
• RAC audits can be very burdensome on
practitioners.
• Nebraska example
• Roughly 1000 claims all representing $22 fees for
periodic routine dental cleanings were erroneously
reviewed.
• Administrative burden required the assignment of
one dental hygienist for a full week in order to pull
all the records related to the claims being
reviewed.
RAC Audits
RAC Audit Facts • Very small percentage of claims that have been
collected have been challenged and overturned
on appeal.
• RAC auditors may not create their own policies
but are bound by CMS regulations, National
Coverage Determinations (NCDs).
• Recovery auditors required to comply with
Reopening Regulations located at 42 CFR
405.980.
RAC Audits
RAC Audit Facts • Recovery auditors required to comply with
Reopening Regulations located at 42 CFR
405.980.
• Before recovery auditor makes a decision to
reopen a claim, the recovery auditor must have
good cause and must clearly articulate the good
cause in correspondence with providers.
RAC Audits
RAC Audit Facts • CMS has limited lookback period for recovery auditor
reviews limited to a maximum of 3 years.
• CMS has limited the number of additional
documentation requests that a recovery auditor may
request at one time.
• Recovery auditors required to give provider a detailed
rationale of improper payment determination and are
required to issue detailed review results and letters to
providers.
Tips on Avoiding Fraud and
Abuse Pitfalls
Be aware of and guard against committing
the examples and types of fraud noted
above.
Work with and monitor staff:
• Practitioner may not be aware of staff member who is
improperly coding.
Be aware of incentivizing staff to use higher
codes to increase incentive compensation.
Tips on Avoiding Fraud and
Abuse Pitfalls
Be wary for what is represented at trade
conferences and by medical device
salespeople as to coding coverage.
Heed warnings and educational
correspondence from auditors.
• Once educated or warned regarding a billing
problem, future issues go from waste and abuse to
fraud because there is now intent.
Tips on Avoiding Fraud and
Abuse Pitfalls
Avoid billing red flags
• Overutilization of a particular code or codes – most
practices typically should show a broad mix of
codes.
• Consistently providing all or most patients with the
same or similar treatment.
• Consistently billing the highest level of codes.
Responding to Inquiries and
Audits
Responding to inquiries is key – ignoring
inquiries makes matters worse.
Cooperation and communication.
When to lawyer up.
The ACA – aka “Obamacare”
What You Need to Know Now
Alice Helle
BrownWinick
666 Grand Avenue, Suite 2000
Des Moines, IA 50309-2510
Telephone: 515-242-2407
Facsimile: 515-323-8507
E-mail: [email protected]
INDIVIDUAL MANDATE
Individuals required to have health
coverage or pay a penalty
2014 – greater of $95 or 1% of household
income
2015 – greater of $325 or 2% of income
2016 on - greater of $695 or 2.5% of income
INDIVIDUAL MANDATE (CONT.)
Qualified Coverage Employer-sponsored group health plan
Grandfathered health plan
Certain government coverage
Ex: Medicare, Medicaid, CHIP, Tricare, VA
Health plans offered in the individual market
Other coverage recognized by HHS and Treasury
Catastrophic coverage if under age 30 or other
exemption
Coverage purchased through Exchange
(“Marketplace”) operating in the state
WHAT IS THE EXCHANGE?
Two Types American Health Benefit Exchange for individuals
and families
Small Business Health Options Program (“SHOP”)
for small (under 50) businesses
A state may elect to combine both into one
exchange
ESSENTIAL BENEFITS
Ambulatory patient services
Emergency services
Hospitalization
Maternity and newborn care
Mental health and substance use disorder services, including behavioral health treatment
Prescription drugs
Rehabilitative and habilitative services and devices
Laboratory services
Preventive and wellness services and chronic disease management
Pediatric services, including oral and vision care
SUBSIDIES
Potential subsidies for coverage purchased from Exchange
Premium assistance tax credits for individuals with income between 100% and 400% of the federal poverty level
FPL for family of 4 for 2013 is $23,550
400% = $94,200
Cost-sharing subsidies for individuals with income up to 250% of the federal poverty level to reduce out-of-pocket costs for plans purchased through an Exchange
Not available if individual has affordable coverage available from employer that provides minimum value
EXCHANGE NOTICE
NOTICE TO EMPLOYEES OF COVERAGE OPTIONS
Notifies employees of coverage options available through state insurance exchange
Two model notices are provided on the DOL website – one for employers who provide coverage and one for employers who don’t.
A revised COBRA notice incorporating information about the exchange is also on the website
Deadline was October 1, 2013
DOL clarified that the general $100/day penalty for noncompliance is not applicable to the exchange notice provision
PEDIATRIC DENTAL INSURANCE
Inside Exchange - Iowa
Health insurance policies not required to
include pediatric dental coverage
Instead, “stand-alone” dental plans are
offered in the Exchange
Delta Dental
BESTOne
PEDIATRIC DENTAL INSURANCE
Outside Exchange – Iowa Individual and
Small Group Market
Health insurance policies not required to
include pediatric dental coverage
Insurers must disclose whether plan covers
pediatric dental
PEDIATRIC DENTAL INSURANCE
Outside Exchange – Iowa Individual and
Small Group Market
Suggested language from IID:
“This policy does not include pediatric dental services as
required under the Federal Patient Protection and
Affordable Care Act. This coverage is available in the
insurance market and can be purchased as a stand-alone
product. Please contact your insurance carrier, producer, or
Iowa’s Partnership Marketplace Exchange if you wish to
purchase pediatric dental coverage or a stand-alone dental
services product.”
EMPLOYER MANDATE
No requirement for small (under 50)
employer to provide health coverage
Large (50+) employers will be required
to provide coverage or pay a penalty
Delayed to 2015
Delayed to 2016 for employers of 50 - 100
2014 will be the measuring period for
determining “large employer” status
Uncle Sam “Needs” More Cash – Recent
Tax Law Changes Affecting You and Your
Business
Christopher L. Nuss
666 Grand Ave, Suite 2000
Des Moines, IA 50309-2510
Telephone: 515-242-2432
E-mail: [email protected]
Example of Federal Tax Increase
from 2012 to 2013 (and
continuing into 2014)
Assumptions: Married filing jointly (w/o
dependents) with mixture of salary ($65K),
investment income ($90K), pass-through
income from S corporations or LLCs ($400K),
and pension/social security ($200K), and
various itemized deductions and exemptions.
For illustrative purposes only.
Example of Federal Tax Increase
from 2012 to 2013/2014 (cont.)
2012 2013/2014 Increase
AGI (before
deductions)
$825,000 $825,000 ___
Taxable Income 768,000 792,000 $24,000
Income Tax 219,000 243,000 24,000
FICA/Medicare
on W-2
3,700 5,000 1,300
3.8% Medicare
on NII
___ 3,500 3,500
Total Taxes $222,700 $251,500 $28,800
(or 12-13%)
Why Increase in Taxes from
2012 to 2013/2014?
• Earlier phaseout of itemized deductions &
loss of exemptions.
• Increase of top tax rate on dividends &
capital gain.
• Increase in top tax rate on ordinary income.
• Increase in FICA & Medicare on earnings.
• New 3.8% Medicare on net investment
income.
Planning Points Going Forward
• Estimated tax payments & wage withholding even more important (to avoid large tax bill in April and underpayment penalty).
• Defer recognition of income and gain, while accelerating deductions.
• Section 179 expense & bonus depreciation (but see below)
• Equity interests in LLCs/partnerships
• Other basic deferral mechanisms
• “Active” participation in S corporation – NII tax and employment taxes.
Planning Points Going Forward
• Gifts & distributions from trusts to family
members or other taxpayers in lower tax
brackets.
• Revise mix of investment assets.
• Dependency exemption on children in
college.
• Consider change in business entity form.
Other Tax Planning
Considerations
• Beware of multi-state operations, especially
for pass-through entities – Compliance!!
• Personal goodwill for C corporation
shareholders.
• New Iowa business property tax exemption – http://www.brownwinick.com/news-blogs/legal-news/state-of-iowa-
property-tax-reform.aspx
What Is Upcoming? Possible
Future Changes
• Keep eye on Congress through end of year,
many key provisions set to expire –
“extenders” bill.
• No cash basis of accounting for service
businesses with gross receipts exceeding
$10M.
• Any questions?
SOCIAL MEDIA IN
THE WORKPLACE
Haley R. Van Loon
BrownWinick
666 Grand Avenue, Suite 2000
Des Moines, IA 50309-2510
Telephone: 515-248-6625
Facsimile: 515-248-6626
E-mail: [email protected]
Social Networking Sites
Status updates
Relationship status
Online chatting capabilities
Listing favorites
• (books, movies, quotes, hobbies)
Political affiliation
Groups or networks
And the list goes on and on . . .
Employees’ Online Activity
Employees’ online activity may
• Harm employer’s reputation
• Disparage managers, co-workers, etc.
• Disclose confidential information
• Result in vicarious liability
• Misuse or waste company assets
• Violate FTC guidelines
• Otherwise violate company policy or the law
Not limited to work hours or company technology
What’s an Employer to do?
How to deal with employees’ online
activity?
Preventative steps
• (i.e., monitoring)
Reactive steps
• (i.e., discipline or termination)
Employees’ Online Activity
Kevin,
Thanks for letting us
know – hope everything
is ok in New York.
(cool wand)
Cheers,
PCD
Responding to Employees’
Online Activity
General Rule: At-Will Employment, but . . .
Contractual Limitations
Responding to Employees’
Online Activity
Contractual Limitations
Anti-Discrimination/Harassment Laws
Responding to Employees’
Online Activity
Contractual Limitations
Anti-Discrimination/Harassment Laws
State or Local Laws
Responding to Employees’
Online Activity
Contractual Limitations
Anti-Discrimination/Harassment Laws
State or Local Laws
Retaliation Protections
Responding to Employees’
Online Activity
Contractual Limitations
Anti-Discrimination/Harassment Laws
State or Local Laws
Retaliation Protections
Labor Laws
Responding to Employees’
Online Activity
Contractual Limitations
Anti-Discrimination/Harassment Laws
State or Local Laws
Retaliation Protections
Labor Laws
Privacy Issues
Website: www.brownwinick.com
Toll Free Phone Number: 1-888-282-3515
OFFICE LOCATIONS:
666 Grand Avenue, Suite 2000
Des Moines, Iowa 50309-2510
Telephone: (515) 242-2400
Facsimile: (515) 283-0231
616 Franklin Place
Pella, Iowa 50219
Telephone: (641) 628-4513
Facsimile: (641) 628-8494
DISCLAIMER: No oral or written statement made by BrownWinick attorneys should
be interpreted by the recipient as suggesting a need to obtain legal counsel from
BrownWinick or any other firm, nor as suggesting a need to take legal action. Do not
attempt to solve individual problems upon the basis of general information provided
by any BrownWinick attorney, as slight changes in fact situations may cause a
material change in legal result.