Current:Home > MyWith March Madness on, should I be cautious betting at work or in office pools? Ask HR -WealthTrack
With March Madness on, should I be cautious betting at work or in office pools? Ask HR
View
Date:2025-04-24 11:43:06
Johnny C. Taylor Jr. tackles your human resources questions as part of a series for USA TODAY. Taylor is president and CEO of the Society for Human Resource Management, the world's largest HR professional society and author of "Reset: A Leader’s Guide to Work in an Age of Upheaval.”
Have a question? Submit it here.
Question: My co-worker invited me to join a college basketball tournament pool with about 10 others. Should I be concerned about betting at work? – Mimi
Answer: In most cases, it’s wise to exercise caution when it comes to betting at work, including participating in office pools for sports tournaments, like March Madness. While it may seem like harmless fun, there are legal and ethical considerations to keep in mind.
Legal considerations: Federal and state laws regulate gambling activities, including sports betting and office pools. Several federal laws, such as the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992 and the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006, outlaw certain forms of sports betting and online gambling. While some states permit sports betting to varying degrees, others maintain strict prohibitions.
Employee relations: Employers must assess their risk tolerance regarding unlawful activities in the workplace and consider the potential impact on employee morale and productivity. Allowing gambling activities at work may lead to distractions and disputes, particularly during major sporting events such as college basketball tournaments.
Mitigation strategies: To balance employee engagement with legal and ethical considerations, employers can consider alternative approaches:
◾ Establish company-sanctioned pools with no entry fees, transforming the activity into a friendly competition rather than gambling. Prizes can include non-monetary rewards such as gift cards or extra vacation days.
◾ Designate specific areas within the workplace for employees to watch games, ensuring that those uninterested in sports have quiet spaces available.
◾ Reinforce the company's anti-harassment policy, emphasizing respect for diverse viewpoints and religious beliefs. Employees should not feel pressured to participate in betting activities if they’re uncomfortable.
◾ Encourage civil discourse among employees, especially regarding sports-related discussions. Respectful communication fosters a positive work environment and minimizes potential conflicts.
By proactively addressing the legal and ethical implications of workplace betting, employers can promote a culture of compliance, respect and inclusivity while still allowing employees to enjoy camaraderie and shared interests.
Unfair review?Here's how to respond to your boss. Ask HR
My wife applied for an ADA accommodation at her new job which asks us to supply personal medical records. I am concerned about that information circulating throughout management. What are the rules for handling someone’s medical information? – Lee
I understand your sensitivity to protecting your wife’s personal information. However, to accommodate her Americans with Disabilities Act request, her employer requires access to her medical information. They are responsible for using that information to evaluate her needs and fully comply with federal laws and guidelines. It's crucial for employers to handle this information with the utmost confidentiality and only share it on a need-to-know basis for accommodation purposes.
If you have concerns about how her medical information is being handled or shared, it's essential to address them directly with her employer to ensure compliance with the ADA and other relevant regulations. Under federal employment laws like the ADA and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, handling someone's medical information requires strict confidentiality. Let's break down the key points regarding the rules for handling medical information:
1. Americans with Disabilities Act:
◾ Employers must maintain the confidentiality of medical information obtained from a medical inquiry or examination, including information from voluntary health or wellness programs.
◾ Medical information can be shared with supervisors and managers if needed to provide reasonable accommodation or meet an employee's work restrictions.
◾ Access to medical records must be restricted to designated officials and must be kept separately from an employee's general personnel file.
2. Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act:
◾ HIPAA requires employers to maintain the confidentiality of employee medical information derived directly from the group health plan.
◾ Information obtained through summary claims reports from the insurance carrier or plan administrator falls under HIPAA regulations.
◾ Other medical records obtained through the employer's role, such as sick leave notes or workers' compensation records, are not covered under HIPAA but are protected under the ADA.
3. State Laws:
◾ Many states have confidentiality rules for employee medical information, which may be more restrictive than federal laws.
◾ Employers should be aware of and comply with state-specific regulations regarding the handling of medical information.
In summary, employers are legally required to keep employee medical information confidential, regardless of whether it falls under ADA or HIPAA regulations. This confidentiality extends to personal medical records obtained during the accommodation process. If there are concerns about the handling or dissemination of medical information, your wife should reach out to the HR department or consult legal counsel to ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
Career stalled?How to get out of a rut in the workplace. Ask HR
veryGood! (735)
Related
- New Zealand official reverses visa refusal for US conservative influencer Candace Owens
- Georgia official seeks more school safety money after Apalachee High shooting
- What time is the partial lunar eclipse? Tonight's celestial event coincides with Harvest Moon
- Vance and Georgia Gov. Kemp project Republican unity at evangelical event after Trump tensions
- Juan Soto praise of Mets' future a tough sight for Yankees, but World Series goal remains
- Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds Are Closer Than Ever During NYC Outing
- ESPN's Peter Burns details how Missouri fan 'saved my life' as he choked on food
- 'That was a big one!' Watch Skittles the parrot perform unusual talent: Using a human toilet
- Backstage at New York's Jingle Ball with Jimmy Fallon, 'Queer Eye' and Meghan Trainor
- A woman found dead in 1991 in an Illinois cornfield is identified as being from the Chicago area
Ranking
- IRS recovers $4.7 billion in back taxes and braces for cuts with Trump and GOP in power
- Legally Blonde’s Ali Larter Shares Why She and Her Family Moved Away From Hollywood
- 'He didn't blink': Kirk Cousins defies doubters to lead Falcons' wild comeback win vs. Eagles
- October Prime Day 2024: Everything We Know and Early Deals You Can Shop Now
- Pregnant Kylie Kelce Shares Hilarious Question Her Daughter Asked Jason Kelce Amid Rising Fame
- North Carolina’s coast has been deluged by the fifth historic flood in 25 years
- Donald Trump to attend Alabama vs. Georgia college football game in late September
- Wisconsin QB Tyler Van Dyke to miss rest of season with knee injury, per reports
Recommendation
Intellectuals vs. The Internet
Arizona tribe fights to stop lithium drilling on culturally significant lands
Boar's Head listeria outbreak timeline: When it started, deaths, lawsuits, factory closure
Footage for Simone Biles' Netflix doc could be smoking gun in Jordan Chiles' medal appeal
What to watch: O Jolie night
Horoscopes Today, September 16, 2024
Volkswagen, Porsche, Mazda among 100,000 vehicles recalled: Check car recalls here
Cousins caps winning drive with TD pass to London as Falcons rally past Eagles 22-21