The problem stems from whether members and aides set to enter the exchanges would have their health insurance premiums subsidized by their employer — in this case, the federal government. If not, aides and lawmakers in both parties fear that staffers — especially low-paid junior aides — could be hit with thousands of dollars in new health care costs, prompting them to seek jobs elsewhere. Older, more senior staffers could also retire or jump to the private sector rather than face a big financial penalty.

Plus, lawmakers — especially those with long careers in public service and smaller bank accounts — are also concerned about the hit to their own wallets.

via Lawmakers, aides may get Obamacare exemption – John Bresnahan and Jake Sherman – POLITICO.com.

Joe Francis, who started the video series, threatened employees of GGW Brands LLC with “violent acts,” according to court papers filed by bankruptcy trustee R. Todd Neilson. GGW filed bankruptcy in February after being sued by Steve Wynn’s Wynn Las Vegas LLC and others trying to collect debts allegedly owed by Francis.

via ‘Girls Gone Wild’ Trustee Asks Judge to Restrain Founder – Bloomberg.

And that means a lot of people onstage at the same time, singing many different parts. Eleven year-old Andrew Coffey wasn’t prepared for what that would sound like.

“When we started blocking it since we were not anything as loud as the other professionals, we were just kind of blown away and it was scary,” said Coffey.

via Italian and Arias: Fort Worth Opera’s Kid’s Chorus | Art&Seek.

Poor fashion choices must be part of his penalty, as well.

Watt’s attorney told Wired in 2010 that his client accepted “responsibility for aiding people that he knew would commit wrongdoing. However, he is very disturbed by the government’s aggressive attempt to make him into more than what he is.”

via Caught in the System, Ex-Hacker Is Stalked by His Past | Threat Level | Wired.com.

The days of IT Departments being the driving force behind technology are starting to fade as employees look to trade old work-issued devices and obtain the latest in cutting edge technology such as MacBooks and iPhones. At first glance, it seems like a good idea for employers to allow their employees the flexibility to work when and where they want, thereby acknowledging the value of the ability to work remotely and on the go. However, there are risks involved.

via April Employment Insights, Dallas | Houston | Austin | Texas Law Firm.

Deputy Assistant Secretary Richard E. Fairfax recently released a standard interpretation guidance letter which finds that workers without a collective bargaining agreement may designate a person affiliated with a union or a community organization to act on their behalf as their walkaround representative during an OSHA inspection

via OSHA Interpretation Would Allow Workers Without a CBA to Designate a Person Affiliated with a Union or a Community Organization to Act on their Behalf : Environmental and Safety Law Update : Toxic Tort Attorneys : Seyfarth Shaw Law Firm.

Recent headline-grabbing lawsuits brought by former interns against the Charlie Rose Show, Fox Searchlight Pictures and the Hearst Corporation illustrate the pitfalls of managing an internship program – particularly where interns are working long hours and sometimes doing what appear to be menial tasks. The increasing number of intern lawsuits has not gone unnoticed by plaintiffs’ attorneys, who have established websites and blogs inviting interns to share their experiences and receive a free analysis of their legal status. In addition, the DOL has indicated that the internship proliferation has caught its attention and will be the subject of enforcement actions and audits where appropriate. Employers who choose to hire interns can decrease their risk and potential exposure by ensuring that their programs meet the six-part DOL test for a training program.

via Unpaid interns: educational opportunity or employer pitfall? – Lexology.

I’ll be delivering my ever-evolving Background Checks Under Fire: Policy Considerations to Avoid Discrimination Claims presentation on Tuesday, October 22nd at 3:15. It was standing room only when I made the earlier iteration of the presentation last year.

I’m flattered that they invited me back and look forward to seeing all my HR peeps back here in Fort Worth this fall!

Of course, if you just can’t wait to hear the Gospel According to Coffey, you can catch one of my webinars or one of my other speaking engagements.

“Then we asked everybody for more money. And we got more money,” says Ghani. “The lesson: Ask everyone for more money more often and you’ll get more money.”

via Obama Campaign Misjudged Mac Users Based On Orbitzs Experience, Says Chief Data Scientist – Forbes.

The exploit allowed security researcher Hugo Teso to use a Samsung Galaxy mobile phone to take control of flight and cockpit display systems running on the ground. The hack would allow him to change a planes course and speed using the phones accelerometer, he told the Hack In The Box Conference in Amsterdam yesterday.

via Researcher takes controls of aircraft system with Android phone | ZDNet.