Those who have already bought the posters  are in 100% compliance with the posting requirement.   This new posting is still expected to go into effect … just at a later date than expected.

Posters ordered at this time are in compliance with the requirement that nearly all private-sector employers  notify employees of their rights under the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) by posting a notice.

Breast cancer is the second leading cause of death in women (lung cancer is first). Every year, almost 40,000 women die from the disease. National Breast Cancer Awareness Month is celebrating 25 years of bringing attention to this all-too-common illness, and throughout the month of October you can expect to see lots of pink ribbons (and even pink-streaked hair!) everywhere you go.

If you’re so inclined, you can raise money to fight breast cancer using your feet by signing up for the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer (www.avonwalk.org) or the Susan G. Komen 3-day for the Cure® (www.the3day.org). Both events involve walking fairly long distances (39 and 60 miles respectively) over two or three days and getting pledges for your effort from family and friends. Participants can trek as individuals or form teams to increase motivation and add to the fun factor. If you can’t walk yourself, ask around and you’ll likely find someone you can sponsor who is participating in one of these national walks (they’re both held in multiple locations around the country). Many communities also host shorter, local fundraising walks to raise money for breast cancer. Check your local paper to see what might be happening in your area.

Depending on your specialty (or perhaps if you have a staff member who has experienced breast cancer) you might enjoy investing in some special promotional items this year. Medical Arts Press® has many pink-ribbon logo office supply items from which to choose.

For both staff and patients, check out www.nbcamproducts.com to find pink ribbon logo tee-shirts, tote bags, water bottles and much more. A portion of each sale goes toward breast cancer education. Another site with an abundance of pink is www.shopkomen.com, where you can find educational materials in addition to unique wearable and gift items (they even have something for your dog).

If you’d like to inspire your staff to do something this October to help raise awareness about or money for breast cancer, take a quick break and gather everyone around the computer screen. Click on www.pinkglovedance.com. Scroll down and watch one of the Pink Glove Dance videos that have become a national sensation. Be sure to have the tissue box handy – you’ll need it.

The National Labor Relations Board has recently issued a rule that requires nearly all U.S. businesses to post a notice to employees communicating their rights under the National Labor Relations Act. Covered employers must replace their federal poster by November 14, 2011, to remain in compliance.

The new posting is mandatory regardless of your company’s union status. It applies to both union and non-union workplaces alike.

The easiest and most effective way to protect your business is with the ComplyRight™ Federal Poster. This convenient all-in-one poster includes the new NLRB notice and the six other mandatory federal postings. Another option is the ComplyRight Federal and State Kit. This poster set meets every federal and state requirement to keep your business in full compliance.

The deadline to comply is November 14. A word of caution: Noncompliance can be treated as an “unfair labor practice” and can be used as damaging evidence in a lawsuit.

Below is a list of Frequently Asked Questions about the situation.

FAQs

Q: What if my business is non-unionized? Do I still have to comply?
A: Yes, this new poster is mandatory regardless of your company’s union status. It applies to union and non-union workplaces alike.

Q: You said “nearly” all employers have to post the new notice. What are the exceptions?
A: At this time, the requirement does not apply to agricultural, railroad or airline employers — or the U.S. Postal Service. In addition, some very small businesses and retailers may be exempt. If you believe your company falls into this category, confirm with your accountant or financial professional. Noncompliance can be treated as an “unfair labor practice” and can be used as damaging evidence in a lawsuit. 
 
Q: Is this a separate posting?
A: No, it is included on the federal poster with the other required notices, such as OSHA, Federal Minimum Wage, etc.

Q: How large is the poster?
A: The laminated poster is 24” x 32.75”.

Q: Is there an electronic posting requirement?
A: Yes, if you typically post company policies on an Intranet or Internet site, you must post this notice there as well. Our poster includes a URL where you can download a free electronic copy. The URL is contained in an employer note on the printed poster.

Q: Do I need to post this in Spanish?
A: This notice must be posted in other languages if 20 percent or more of your workforce is not proficient in English. The Spanish version of the NLRB posting is included on the ComplyRight™ Spanish Federal Poster.

Q: What is the fine for not posting?
A: There is no specific fine connected with this posting. However, noncompliance can be treated as an “unfair labor practice” and can be used as damaging evidence in a lawsuit. There are fines, however, attached to the other required federal postings — OSHA, for example. You can be fined up to $17,000 per location for not displaying current federal notices.

It takes only a small amount of effort to create and follow a procedure in your office to ensure that all ink and toner cartridges are recycled. First, draft a simple policy stating that 100% of cartridges will be recycled effective on, say, October 1. Educate your entire staff (doctors included) that this is the new rule, and designate a box (or several, if your office is large) for everyone to deposit their used cartridges. Assign one person to monitor the box and be in charge of recycling on a regular basis. It’s really that simple.

As of mid-September, Medical Arts Press® is making it easier for offices to recycle used cartridges. Customers can request a postage-paid mailing label or shipping box to return their used, undamaged cartridges. To sweeten the deal even further, practices that use this free service will receive $2 in Medical Arts Cash for each cartridge they return. This is credit that can be applied to purchase any product the company offers. What a deal. Click here for details.

Recycling is great, but reducing waste from the get-go is even better. You can cut down on the number of ink and toner cartridges you use each year by following some of these simple tips.

• Think before you print. If you can work effectively from what you’re seeing on the screen, whether that’s information from a Web site, an e-mail, patient data, or a document you’re editing, try to do so
• Proof your work carefully before printing to reduce the need for second or third copies of the same document.
• Set your printers to draft, economy, or low resolution mode until you really need to print in the highest resolution.
• Before making copies, consider how many you really need. How often have you shown up at a staff meeting with copies of the agenda or a new policy, only to find that half the people in the room had already printed their own?

If you don’t already have a comprehensive program in place to recycle mixed paper, glass, cans and plastic, use this new opportunity to keep ink and toner cartridges out of the landfill to jump start an office-wide initiative to go green.

To order Florida prescription blanks click here.

On December 8, 2010 Congress passed legislation that exempts physicians from the FTC’s Red Flag Rules. For more information on you can visit the Physicians Practice blog at: http://www.physicianspractice.com/blog/content/article/1462168/1752034

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