Business News Column
January 2006

Healthcare Human Resources 101
By Liz Sayre-King
President, Professional Solutions Plus

How would you suggest handling the issue of employees smoking in the office? Can I set my own policy, or are there laws regulating this behavior? We have an open office layout, so there is nothing to prevent nonsmoking coworkers from being exposed to secondhand smoke.

Currently, there are no laws in Michigan that regulate smoking in non-public places, but business owners certainly are within their rights to implement a no-smoking policy on their property. Be sure to put it in writing, and include an effective date. If you have visitors to your office, post a "This is a smoke-free facility" sign at your front door.

Do I have to enroll in my employer's health insurance program? I don't need this service, because I am covered through my spouse's plan at work. Can I get a waiver?

Some employers may require you to enroll in the company health insurance program, or verify that you have coverage from another source, depending on the office policy. Others have no such requirement. Whether or not you are eligible for a waiver, which is cash payment in lieu of health insurance coverage, is determined by each company's policy, and the payment amounts may differ.

A few of my employees are habitually 10 to 15 minutes late, and then spend more time chatting with others in the office or making a morning snack before starting work. We are a small company – every minute and every dollar count. Am I unreasonable to expect people to arrive punctually and get right down to business?

Depending on your type of business, when people start and finish working can be very important or not important at all. For those businesses that have clients or customers walking in the door or calling at 8 a.m., it is critical. But if you are able to be flexible, and still bill out the appropriate number of hours for each person, it's better to allow your employees some personal freedom in this matter. I don't recommend putting in a time clock if you can avoid it.  People see that as "Big Brother" watching.

I do recommend sitting down at a staff meeting and expressing your concerns. Give examples of work that hasn't gotten done by the stated deadline, or of customers who have complained because they can't reach the person they need to speak to. Tell them that you've noticed quite a bit of pre-work socializing, and that overtime (if it's paid) will not be granted without prior approval. 

Keep the conversation open. Allow people to ask questions and comment.  Remember that the workplace is where people develop friendships, and that can be good for teamwork.  But you also have a business to run, and when tardiness or socializing gets out of hand, you need to remind everyone why they are there.

Professional Solutions Plus specializes in employee leasing and medical billing services for small to medium-sized businesses in Northern Michigan. If you have questions about employment or HR issues, please contact PSP president Liz Sayre-King: esayreking@professionalsolutionsplus.com.

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