How to keep employees from taking you to court

A lawsuit from a current or former employee, even an unfounded one, can have a devastating effect on a medical practice. In this article, the author suggests specific strategies for preventing employee lawsuits, specifically those that often result from mistakes in a practice's recruitment materials, employee handbook, job references, and dress code. In addition, this article offers guidance for preventing sexual harassment charges, overtime disputes, and hassles with problem employees. Finally, this article suggests four must-have business forms that provide important legal protection for any medical practice.

Bullying and harassment in perioperative settings

This article explores the concepts of bullying and harassment, defines the terms and their implications, and explores similarities and differences between the two. It also examines pertinent legislation and identifies strategies to raise awareness and optimise a bullying and harassment-free perioperative environment. Bullying and harassment in the workplace was the focus of this presentation at NATN Congress 2002. Challenging behaviours involving patients and carers is another topic in itself.

Legislative recognition in France of psychological harassment at work

The recent French Law on Social Modernisation of 17 January 2002 introduced into the French Labour Code and into the French Criminal Code, the concept of "moral" harassment. The definition of psychological harassment under this law adopts quite a broad conception of the notion of psychological harassment. The legislator has established a means for "friendly" settlement of disputes: mediation. When it has not been possible to settle the dispute internally, the Courts have a number of sanctions available to them. The French Labour Code provides that any termination of the contract of employment resulting from a situation of psychological harassment is automatically null and void. Such nullification should therefore be applicable whatever the nature of the termination: dismissal, resignation or negotiated departure and it punishes psychological harassment at work by imprisonment for one year and a fine of 3,750 Euros. The French Criminal Code prescribes penalties of one year and 15,000 Euros.