Office Policies & Manuals

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All employees get five days California Paid Sick Leave starting in 2024

Employees in California will be allowed to take five days of paid sick leave — up from the current three — beginning Jan. 1, 2024, under legislation signed into law in October. The law applies to employers of every size. Salary, hourly, full-time, part-time and temporary employees are eligible for the leave.

November 29, 2023 |2023, Laws & Regulations, News Articles, Office Policies & Manuals

TDIC’s Risk Management Advice Line offers guidance for complex practice challenges

Seeking specialized advice from risk management experts is essential for addressing the complexities of running a dental practice and managing employee dynamics. Collaboration with TDIC’s Advice Line analysts contributes to the long-term viability, success and prosperity of the dental practice.

October 3, 2023 |2023, Employment Practices, Hiring/Firing, Insurance/TDIC, News Articles, Office Policies & Manuals, Practice Management, Regulatory Compliance

CDA reminds dentist employers of the importance of meal and rest breaks

CDA encourages its members to take a proactive approach to employee meal and rest break compliance. Doing so requires an understanding of the regulations involved and communicating with employees about them.

January 25, 2023 |2023, Employment Practices, Laws & Regulations, Leadership and Practice Ownership, News Articles, Office Policies & Manuals, Patient Management, Practice Management

Bereavement leave protected by California law beginning January 2023

Amendments to the California Family Rights Act and Healthy Workplaces, Healthy Families Act expand employees’ leave rights and take effect Jan. 1, 2023. The changes require covered employers to provide protected bereavement leave and allow employees to take time off to care for a "designated person." 

October 25, 2022 |2022, Employment Practices, Laws & Regulations, News Articles, Office Policies & Manuals

Where’s the line? Define, apply and maintain professional boundaries

Guidelines for behavior should exist when practice team members interact with one another outside of the office. TDIC’s Risk Management analysts encourage dentists to promote high standards of behavior inside and outside of the office by clearly defining professional boundaries.

September 7, 2022 |2022, Employment Practices, Leadership and Practice Ownership, News Articles, Office Policies & Manuals

The Employee Manual is an Important Tool for Communicating Employment Conditions and Expectations

Prioritizing job duty training over educating new employees about crucial office policies can lead to miscommunication and increased risk of misconduct. Minimize risk by documenting your practice’s employment policies, with resources from CDA and TDIC.

February 2, 2022 |2022, Employment Practices, Leadership and Practice Ownership, News Articles, Office Policies & Manuals

Holiday pay in California: The law and best practices for dentists

With the holiday season’s arrival, Michelle Coker, employment practices analyst at CDA Practice Support, is taking calls from members who have questions about the laws governing holiday pay. She’s assembled tips to guide California dentists based on her conversations with callers.

December 6, 2021 |2021, Employment Practices, Laws & Regulations, News Articles, Office Policies & Manuals

Celebrate safely: How to minimize the liability risks of office parties

Though holiday events can and should be celebratory and fun, maintaining professionalism among all attendees is still a must. By taking a few precautionary measures, it is possible to curb risk while wrapping up 2021 with joy.

November 18, 2021 |2021, Employment Practices, Insurance/TDIC, News Articles, Office Policies & Manuals

Dentists required to comply with new information blocking rule granting patients more access to health records

All health care providers, including dentists, will soon be required to comply with a new federal regulation that aims to enhance a patient’s right to access their health information. Under the new rule, patients will have greater and, at times, immediate access to health information.

September 29, 2021 |2021, Employment Practices, Laws & Regulations, News Articles, Office Policies & Manuals, Practice Management, Privacy/HIPAA, Regulatory Compliance

Employers required to follow stricter meal period practices under California Supreme Court ruling

A recent California Supreme Court ruling that requires stricter meal practices in the workplace underscores the responsibility of dental practice owners to enforce break policies that are compliant with California laws.

March 10, 2021 |2021, Employment Practices, Laws & Regulations, News Articles, Office Policies & Manuals

What practice owners need to know about implementing a COVID-19 vaccine policy in the dental office

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission last December issued guidance indicating that employers may encourage or possibly require COVID-19 vaccinations, but policies must comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

January 19, 2021 |2021, COVID-19, Employment Practices, News Articles, Office Policies & Manuals

Layoffs, furloughs and wage reductions: Considerations for dental practice owners heading into 2021

Dental practice schedules and production have certainly been a rollercoaster in 2020. As we near the end of the year, many practices are reporting a slight decline in patient volume compared to the third quarter. 

December 15, 2020 |2020, Hiring/Firing, Laws & Regulations, News Articles, Office Policies & Manuals
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