Pay Equity … What Does a Company Need to Know and How Do I Conduct an Audit

Employment Law Updates & Affirmative Action News Lake Associates, Inc. Debbie Rich, PHR, Sr. Consultant December 2002 State Specific Information New York Governor Pataki signed the SONDA (Sexual Orientation and Non-Discrimination Act) on December 17, 2002. It takes effect in 30 days adding sexual orientation as a protected category in New York State. We recommend you update your handbooks, postings and applications accordingly. The New York State Human Rights Law was recently amended and became effective on November 16. The law continues to prohibit employers from requiring an employee to forgo a religious observance as a condition of employment and now specifically requires employers to accommodate other religious beliefs, such as dress, hair style, beards and prayer requirements, unless doing so is an undue hardship. Employment Law, Interesting Cases & Other Compliance News HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996) Title I governs portability of health benefits, special enrollment, and non-discrimination rules. Title II governs Administrative Simplification. There have been new compliance issues within Title II, Subtitle F of HIPAA. The Administrative Simplification provisions are intended to make the health care information system more cost effective and efficient by requiring standardized electronic transmissions of certain claims related information. The Department of Health and Human Services has, ...