Sustaining compliance is one of the most delicate operations within a health care facility. Human resources experts have to navigate legislation, paperwork and workflows to ensure adherence, but the rules are always changing.
Delegating some responsibility to automation and task management software is ideal, but what is reliable? In the following guide, you’ll learn more about the health care industry’s recent labor law changes, as well as some of the top companies that provide subscription-based labor law compliance services to keep you in full compliance with the ever-changing labor law landscape.
Recent Labor Law Changes in Health Care
Health care labor law in the U.S. is constantly evolving, as states create unique rules in addition to federal guidelines. Every year, existing laws see revisions or rollbacks, while new frameworks revolutionize or uproot decades of conventional practices. These are among the most significant changes in recent history.
Expansion of Noncompete Protections
Noncompete agreements bar health care workers from advancing their professional trajectories. It is so hindering that many states are issuing outright bans. Some examples of those paving the way include Colorado and Indiana, with the Federal Trade Commission seeking a nationwide ruling. Doing so would expand access to care nationwide, as experienced workers could have greater mobility between employers or establish their own practice.
Raise of California’s Minimum Wage
California’s SB 525 rule implements a phased adoption of a higher minimum wage for the majority of health care workers. By 2027, it will reach $25 per hour. However, companies will need to ensure they provide higher wages over the years to those qualifying under the regulating agencies’ definitions of a health care worker, as defined by the California Department of Industrial Relations and California Labor Code.
Expansion of Leave Benefits
Family and medical leave packages are growing to better take care of health care employees. States like Massachusetts and Vermont are expanding their Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) laws to increase leave durations and benefits, while holding employers more accountable for their obligations. It would also make it easier to qualify for these essential benefits, which create a culture that prioritizes the workforce over profits and ensures employees can return to work without fear.
The Importance of Staying Compliant and How to Get There
Health care organizations of all sizes have a duty to their nation, state and citizens to follow the industry’s best practices, which are created through extensive research and expert insights. Being compliant with health care labor laws means the organization abides by federal, state and local laws regarding the following areas, among others:
- Safety
- Wages
- Unionization
- Hours
- Benefits
- Termination
- Anti-discrimination
The governing bodies and laws change over time, especially upon the entry of a new administration. Some of the most pivotal regulations include the Fair Labor Standards Act, Americans with Disabilities Act, the Affordable Care Act and many others. Ensuring adherence to these guidelines, in addition to state- and regionally specific frameworks, is a complex juggling act, often requiring a dedicated team of compliance specialists.
Despite the time and resources required to stay compliant, it is always important to prioritize. Companies could face severe legal and financial penalties for treating employees poorly. Eventually, the public becomes aware of these breaches, which could lead to client loss, reputation destruction and low retention rates.
Ultimately, achieving compliance is essential for valuing patient-focused care. Automating as much as possible is the best way to build momentum, which is why many organizations have created subscription-based services to stay on top of labor law compliance changes.
The Top 5 Subscription-Based Labor Law Compliance Services
These subscription services can automate a significant portion of the tedium and frustration health care human resources experts experience when managing adherence.
1. Poster Compliance Center (PCC)
Poster Compliance Center helps organize any HR professional’s labor law compliance obligations, particularly with regard to poster notifications. It is the best service for keeping all visual designations up to date, even if professionals are unaware of changes.
PCC promises customers peace of mind with a $41,000 compliance warranty and decades of experience. In the company’s lifetime, it has never received any compliance violations in any state — and it serves all 50, plus Guam, D.C. and Puerto Rico. With a dedicated account manager for every client, subscribers can expect personalized customer care and expert knowledge. Poster Compliance Center automates the navigation of complex documentation.
2. Compliancy Group
Compliancy Group is a software-focused compliance subscription service. It integrates everything a provider would need to know about OSHA and HIPAA, among others. It is capable of organizing documents, alerting providers of upcoming audits and encouraging stricter compliance management.
In its crisp dashboard, it shows the percentage met of critical controls, compliance scores and risk analyses. It is unique because it is endorsed by HIPAA, highlighting its dedication to data integrity and protection. With 24/7 chat available for professionals of all types, everyone can expect guidance on any compliance issues.
3. ComplianceHR by Littler Mendelson
ComplianceHR is a subscription service focused on legal issues, which sets it apart from competing organizations. Its software includes handbooks and responsive legal guidance. It even has tools specific to jurisdictions, ensuring even the most local subscribers get holistic information at their fingertips.
The company’s clients include small businesses and Fortune 500 companies, demonstrating that its resources are useful to all scales. Throughout every employee’s or independent contractor’s life cycle, it will track compliance, allowing HR teams to prepare for any review.
4. Traliant
Committing to Trailant provides another essential service in the compliance world — training. It focuses on health care topics, allowing each educational session to be informed by scenario-based examples and relevant legislation.
Trailant teaches teams how to handle everything with a compliance-first mindset, including changes to frameworks or harassment prevention, providing a modern lens to conventional health care workforce education. During its tenure, it has partnered with over 14,000 companies and taught five million people.
5. EverCheck
EverCheck is another platform with a broader focus. It offers robust compliance services, but its competitive advantage is how it strives to be a one-stop shop for other administrative tasks in a health care facility.
EverCheck is ideal for hospitals and larger entities that must manage a lengthy list of certifications and exclusions, in addition to adhering to requirements. It promises to make HR directors’ lives simpler by making every task compliance-focused, from issuing licenses, mandating education and monitoring hiring tasks.
Finding the Best Subscription-Based Labor Law Compliance Services
If an organization needs help understanding complex legislation or navigating an upcoming audit, these companies can kick-start the process. By signing up for one of these services, health care providers have every reason to stay motivated and inspired by guidelines, as they promote a better working environment and medical system for all.
The Editorial Team at Healthcare Business Today is made up of experienced healthcare writers and editors, led by managing editor Daniel Casciato, who has over 25 years of experience in healthcare journalism. Since 1998, our team has delivered trusted, high-quality health and wellness content across numerous platforms.
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