Moneylines: News Briefs for Businesses

Recent changes to ADA regulations heighten employers’ risk

Getting hit with a disability lawsuit could seriously harm any company’s bottom line. And the legal definition of “disability” isn’t what it used to be. Earlier this year, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission amended its Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) regulations to harmonize with the ADA Amendments Act of 2008. The new regs broaden the definition of “disability,” which may lead courts to more readily find merit in ADA-related cases brought before them.

IT staffers surely find CFOs’ lack of faith disturbing

Virtually no business can get very far these days without a strong grasp of technology. Unfortunately, many CFOs aren’t all that confident in the work of the employees and others who provide IT support. Or so indicates a 2011 collaborative survey of 344 CFOs conducted by Financial Executives International and Gartner. It found that only 18% of responding CFOs believe their “IT service levels meet or exceed business expectations.” If you feel likewise about your IT staff or provider, perhaps make alleviating this disconnect one of your 2012 objectives.

How financially stressed are your workers?

Employees worried about money can be less productive on the job and more prone to taking sick days. The good news: In the first quarter of 2011, only 21% of workers surveyed by financial educators Financial Finesse reported having high or overwhelming financial stress. That’s down from 32% in 2010. You might survey your employees to see whether they report similar results now at year end. For those who are stressed, no- or low-cost money management seminars and regular retirement account updates may help.

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