A relatively new virus is prompting worldwide concern because of how quickly it is spreading across the globe. Also alarming is its connection to microcephaly, a neurological birth disorder.

Transmitted by the aggressive Aedes aegypti mosquito, the Zika virus is rare because it can infect the fetuses of pregnant women who have the virus. Symptoms of Zika are generally mild and include headaches, fever, rash and sometimes conjunctivitis (pink eye). Most people don’t even realize that they have been infected by the virus, which is why it is such a concern for pregnant women. Read More

For the many Americans that seek help from mental health professionals, selecting a provider is an important decision that should be made carefully. Credentials, competence and your comfort level with the provider are worth considering.

Who’s Out There?

There are different types of professionals out there to help. The following are the most common for mental health care:

Psychiatrists

Have medical degrees, can prescribe medication and have completed three years of residency training (beyond medical school) in mental health care. Read more

The 2016 presidential race is underway, and opinions and emotions can be strong on both sides. You may want to think about addressing political discussions in the workplace. Do you know what to do if conversations get out of hand? At private companies, employees do not have unrestricted rights to “free speech” under the First Amendment; an employer can control political speech in the workplace. Therefore, if political speech becomes disruptive to the workplace and interferes with productivity, the employer can discipline the employees involved. However, it is extremely important that you enforce standards consistently and remain neutral. Read More

The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) clearly states that when an employer knows that a worker taking leave qualifies for FMLA, it must designate the worker’s absence as FMLA leave.

Despite this requirement, some employers let employees choose whether to designate their leave as FMLA leave. Two recent court cases have highlighted why this approach could cause problems for your company. Read More