In This Issue:

- Unions Poised to Exploit Changes in NLRB Rules By A. Kevin Troutman (Houston)

After winning 73% of elections in healthcare units in 2011, unions seeking to organize more healthcare workers are preparing to exploit opportunities arising from significant new rule changes and recent decisions by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). Hospitals, nursing homes, home health agencies, clinics and other healthcare employers who want to preserve their union-free status must therefore be prepared for a significant uptick in activity....

- Independent Contractor Or Employee? By Anthony B. Golden (Las Vegas)

A perennial issue for businesses both in and out of the healthcare industry is the classification of individuals as independent contractors or employees. In an effort to save money in a tight economy and limit liability, many businesses attempt to use independent contractors to serve functions typically served by employees. Classifying someone as an independent contractor can save money on federal and state taxes, and it often means the business does not have to pay minimum wage or overtime to the individual...

- Top 10 OSHA Citations In The Healthcare Industry, Part 2 By Tiffani Casey (Atlanta)

Following up on the discussion in our last issue of the Healthcare Update, this month we are examining one of the most rigorous and demanding areas of OSHA compliance – failure to meet the information and training requirements of the Bloodborne Pathogens Standard (BBP)....

- 2011 Index Of Healthcare Update Articles

For those of you interested in articles that appeared in the Healthcare Updates throughout the year, here is a list of their titles, authors, and dates. All are available on our website at www.laborlawyers.com.