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Recent Articles from Paula Barran
Will wellness programs hit a roadblock?
As the cost for employer-provided health-care benefits continues to rise, many employers have tried to fight the increases by introducing wellness programs for their employees. Wellness programs can come in […]
Regulating workers鈥� lives is risky business
Most people would agree that employers shouldn鈥檛 try to regulate the off-duty ethical or moral conduct of their employees. But it鈥檚 a complicated issue. Certainly there are some kinds of […]
More veterans set to return to work soon
There are some 130,000 U.S. military personnel in Iraq alone, according to the Brookings Institute. As U.S. involvement in various global hot spots winds down, more veterans will be returning […]
Medical conditions don鈥檛 cancel out drug testing
Employers who do substance abuse testing need to be comfortable talking about employee body parts and, well, liquid waste. Nearly all employment-related drug testing is done using a urine specimen, […]
Disabled workers not exempt from ratings
Employers are not required to adjust performance standards for employees who need accommodations
Disabled workers not exempt from ratings
Most employers are subject to federal or state laws prohibiting discrimination on the basis of disability. State law applies to employers of six or more employees and federal law applies […]
Drug testing can present challenges
Employers need to remember that testing for legal drugs must be done within parameters of federal law
Arbitration and statutory claims
Will Congress tinker with federal law in response to a recent Supreme Court ruling?
Know when training time is paid time
Application of rules in federal Fair Labor Standards Act can be complicated
Supreme Court clarifies protected activity
Case reveals that protections against retaliation are key part of Civil Rights Act
FMLA compliance required soon
Take notice of new requirements in revised Family and Medical Leave Act
Let job candidates be individuals
But employers must be careful not to discriminate in screening and hiring processes
News
- $960,000 office renovation in Portland building permits | Aug. 10, 2026
- Two projects in historic districts in Portland land use review intakes | Aug. 10, 2026
- Multnomah County commits up to $101.6M for Moda Center
- Portland code changes to take effect in November
- Los Colibris project approved for Portland’s OMSI District
- Pacific Northwest projects totaling $9.9 million in top bidders | Aug. 7, 2026
- Oregon opens infrastructure grant program
- Ex-TV host claps back at Detroit officials in blight case
- 31-unit multifamily project in Portland land use review intakes | Aug. 3, 2026
- $2.4 million office renovation in Portland building permits | Aug. 3, 2026
- Transportation commission weighs ODOT budget cuts
- Lam Research planning $1.7 billion investment in Tualatin
Commentary
- Beware of when the debt collector comes calling | Opinion
- Assembly of a future workforce begins with an invitation | Opinion
- Beware of overlooking legal requirements for remote workers | Opinion
- Become a critical thinker and transform a workplace | Opinion
- Managing construction risks with international suppliers | Opinion
- A rally with many engines: the lesson of 2026’s first half | Opinion
- Oregon housing challenges persist despite sound and fury | Opinion
- When does an employee’s bullying become harassment? | Opinion
- Ditch disorganization 鈥� the cost of deferred decisions | Opinion
- Consider 10 common risks for healthcare construction projects | Opinion
- Clarifying the reach of a law regarding prevailing wage | Opinion
- Adjust to legal changes now to ensure compliance later | Opinion
