Editor's note: This one isn't local but I found it interesting.
By Kenneth H. Marks — How does the board of directors or management team of a small or mid-sized business think about reversing a declining or distressed business? It is a common question given the turmoil in our financial and business markets. There are many good companies that find themselves with weak balance sheets, attempting to recover and reposition for the new reality in the markets and to take advantage of emerging opportunities. Where to start and how to change the momentum in your favor? It can be done.
Read more: Seven key steps to move your company from surviving to thriving
By Ian Paregol — Recent data indicates that there are thousands of Maryland citizens with developmental disabilities such as autism, Down syndrome and cerebral palsy waiting for services. They are currently in crisis and in need of adequate supports.
As they wait for assistance, the network of community providers whose mission it is to meet their needs grows increasingly threatened by years of chronic underfunding.
Read more: Commentary: Common sense on provider salaries would help disabled
By Eric D. Disharoon, Esq. and Oren D. Saltzman, Esq.
Despite a decline in the number of U.S. swine flu cases, the national Centers for Disease Control (CDC) warned that a third wave of swine flu could occur this spring. Employers are obligated by federal and state occupational safety and health regulations to provide a safe workplace.
While employers may want to keep contagious workers out of the workplace, federal and state disability laws may limit their ability to ask employees about their medical condition or require them to take medical exams.
Generally, federal and state leave laws require employers to provide leave to employees due to sickness. Employees who get sick while on the job may be entitled to worker’s compensation benefits if the sickness resulted from another employee’s spreading their contagious illness in the workplace.
Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”), a person has a “disability” if he/she has a physical/mental impairment substantially limiting a major life activity (such as hearing, sight, or speech, among others). It is unclear whether swine flu meets this definition of disability as this pandemic only recently became so widespread.
However, the ADA prohibits covered employers (all employers with 15+ employees) from excluding individuals with disabilities from the workplace for health or safety reasons unless the individual poses a “direct threat” (a significant risk of substantial harm even with reasonable accommodation). It also requires reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities. And, it regulates employers’ disability-related inquiries and medical examinations for all applicants and employees.
Read more: Employment Law and the Swine Flu (and other contagious illnesses)
February 15, 2010 — Thanks to a tremendous team effort from County residents, businesses, and public servants, things are beginning to return to normal in Howard County. We're still not there yet, but I can assure you that Howard County Government will continue to work its hardest until the job is done.
To that end, we know that many streets are still not clear from curb to curb. Our crews are using front-end loaders and other heavy equipment to open additional travel lanes and clear hard packed snow from the pavement. This work will be ongoing over the coming days, but because of the limited space to pile snow and the expansiveness of this task, it will take some time before our roads are fully cleared of snow. In addition, be aware that this snow removal work will at times block traffic. Please continue to use extreme caution and drive slowly when out on the roads, especially at intersections.
I know the question on the minds of parents throughout the county is "When will schools re-open?" Our Superintendent, Dr. Sydney Cousin, announced this afternoon that schools will be closed on Tuesday.
February 11, 2010
Dear Neighbors,
Thank you for your continued patience as we work diligently to clean up from this historic week of winter weather. I am writing to share an update on our recovery effort in Howard County.
Our plow crews were out in full force today working with crews from the Columbia Association, school system, and the private contractors we hired. As always, our top priority is making the roads passable for emergency response purposes, and we made significant progress on that goal today. We will continue to work tirelessly until all roads meet this standard, at which point we will transition our operations to improving conditions at intersections and on neighborhood streets.
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Annual MD Int'l Leadership Awards, sponsored by the World Trade Center Institute and MDDBED.
Located at the Jim Rouse Visionary Center, 800 Key Highway, Baltimore, MD 21230. Call 410-576-0022 x102 or contact eddie@wtci.org
Don't miss this exciting evening of drama and discussion to benefit the Center for Public Integrity! Top Secret: The Battle for the Pentagon Papers
New York Theatre Workshop. Cocktail reception at The Bowery Hotel, 335 Bowery
New York, NY 10003.
Geoffrey...
Location: Sheraton Washington North, 4095 Powder Mill Road, Beltsville, MD 20705.
Join the Prince George's Chamber of Commerce for this MEMBERS ONLY Networking Opportunity!
Enjoy the beautiful Sheraton Washington North and a delicious full course...
