As a physician, it is important to know and understand the Medical Practice Employment Laws that are a part of hiring and managing a team.

When first hiring your team members, it can be easy to miss the complications. Yes as you grow your practice, the more knowledge you have of Medical Practice Employment Laws, the easier it is to handle a larger team. You can also easier handle and issues that may arise within the Medical team for disputes.

Here are some important Medical Practice Employment Laws and Departments to ensure compliance with:

Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)

The FMLA entitles eligible employees of covered employers to take unpaid, job-protected leave for specified family and medical reasons with continuation of group health insurance coverage under the same terms and conditions as if the employee had not taken leave.

Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)

The FLSA establishes minimum wage, overtime pay, recordkeeping, and youth employment standards affecting employees in the private sector and in Federal, State, and local governments. Covered nonexempt workers are entitled to a minimum wage of not less than $7.25 per hour effective July 24, 2009. Overtime pay at a rate not less than one and one-half times the regular rate of pay is required after 40 hours of work in a workweek.

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) prohibits discrimination and ensures equal opportunity for persons with disabilities in employment, State and local government services, public accommodations, commercial facilities, and transportation

Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) is a federal agency that administers and enforces civil rights laws against workplace discrimination. The EEOC investigates discrimination complaints based on an individual’s race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, disability, gender identity, genetic information, and retaliation for reporting, participating in, and/or opposing a discriminatory practice.

Age Discrimination in Employment Act

The Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) is the federal law governing age discrimination. It was enacted in 1967 to promote the employment of older workers based on ability rather than age, prevent discrimination, and help solve the problems that arise with an aging workforce. Many states also have laws prohibiting age discrimination and may have more restrictions than the ADEA.

Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA)

The Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 is a federal law that establishes minimum standards for pension plans in private industry and provides for extensive rules on the federal income tax effects of transactions associated with employee benefit plans.

Workers’ Compensation

Workers’ compensation is a form of insurance payment to employees if they are injured at work or become sick due to their work. Workers’ compensation includes payments to employees to cover their:

– wages while they’re not fit for work
– medical expenses and rehabilitation.

Employers in each state or territory have to take out workers’ compensation insurance to cover themselves and their employees. Workers’ compensation is governed by individual states and territories. Each state and territory has their own regulator that administers and gives advice on workers’ compensation.