Business Management Daily

Wrangle all your to-do lists into order with these four online tools: Springpad, Zoho.com, Cozi.com and the Things application:

If an employee's FMLA medical certification is incomplete (required information is omitted) or insufficient (the information provided is vague, ambiguous or nonresponsive), an employer is now entitled to request additional information directly from the employee's health care provider, subject to certain key limitations.

"My senior admin recently asked us what we should discuss during our monthly admin meetings, a reader wrote. With time at a premium, this is a good point, as there's an ever-increasing need for groups to get more real work done during regular meetings. Suggestions for making your next admin meeting more productive:

What should you do about a co-worker who takes advantage of a boss-less office? How do you bring this to your boss's attention without appearing like a troublemaker? Here are some ideas for addressing a co-worker's slacker behavior:

Did you just get an e-mail purportedly from the IRS? Don't believe it. Alert: The IRS is reminding taxpayers to be aware of identity theft scams using its name, logo or web site address. The idea is to trick you into disclosing vital personal information.

A new study estimates that nearly two-thirds of Facebook users access the site at work. On average, they spend 15 minutes on the site during work hours, and the electronic back-and-forth could represent as much as 1.5% of an employer's productivity losses. The good news: You can stop it.

How well can you capture the attention of someone receiving your memo? Your memo will capture readers if it includes one of the three R's in its opening line: It should recommend something, reveal information or request that someone act. Test your skill by picking the best opening sentence in this example:

A progressive discipline system is the best way to correct employee performance problems. It's also the best way to protect against wrongful termination lawsuits. It allows you to ensure that any employee fired because of inferior performance was treated fairly and in accordance with your company's policies. Here's a five-step model for progressive discipline:

Considering the toll the obesity epidemic takes on Americans' health, you'd think Dr. Jason Newsom's bosses in Panama City would be happy with his campaign to educate the public about the dangers of obesity. Fat chance. While attacking sweet tea, burgers and fries was all right, it was doughnuts that doomed the doc.

Is it time to take health care reform into your own hands? Strategy: Investigate the benefits of Health Savings Accounts (HSAs). Although these tax-favored accounts have been slow to catch on with the public, it might make sense for your situation. If it does, sign up for an HSA whether or not health care reform is enacted.

Employers that support pregnant and working mothers fare better if they do get sued by someone who believes she suffered pregnancy discrimination. That's because courts are reluctant to believe that an organization would suddenly become biased after demonstrating a history of progressive policies for pregnant women and working mothers.

During a recession, every organization seems to face its own unique HR challenges, and that's leading to creative solutions and new ways of thinking. Here are five best practices that can help comp and benefits pros make changes that contribute to their organizations' survival.

Asperger's syndrome may be a covered disability under the ADA, a federal court hearing an Ohio case has concluded. Asperger's is a developmental disability characterized by "severe and sustained impairments in social interaction, according to the American Psychiatric Association. The condition is permanent and is similar in some respects to autism.

Generally, employees aren't entitled to FMLA leave to care for adult children who suffer from serious health conditions—unless the child is disabled. The test is whether the child suffers from a physical or mental disability that makes self-care impossible.

Conflicts over religious accommodation in the workplace have spilled over into the courtroom, as more and more employees try to force employers to bend work schedules to fit their religious practices. It's no longer just a question of whether employees are entitled to a day off on the Sabbath. In an increasingly diverse workplace, Islamic practices are spurring more litigation.

Blogs are spreading faster than kudzu in the business world, and for a reason: They help build relationships with customers, something every business and boss want to see. Here's how to write blog posts for your company, without spending too much time, according to Stephanie Lloyd, founder and CEO of Radiant Veracity.

If you missed out on the popular cash-for-clunkers program this summer, you can still qualify for big tax benefits for an older vehicle by donating your "clunker to charity. Instead of trading in your vehicle, simply give it away to a qualified charitable organization. This entitles you to a deduction on your '09 return.

Age-discrimination lawsuits have shot up in recent years, climbing 29% last year alone. But a recent pro-business ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court will make it harder for employees to prove age bias in the workplace. Employee advocacy groups are crying foul.

When the responsibility rests on your shoulders to communicate in a crisis, follow these five rules: 1. Speak the same language. 2. "Kill" all the lawyers. (Well, don't kill them, but do cage them.) 3. Define the CEO's role. 4. Don't wait for a crisis. 5. Drill employees.

The tax law provides a special jobs credit—called the Work Opportunity Tax Credit—if you hire workers from one of several economically disadvantaged groups. Strategy: Hire qualified workers before year-end. For instance, if you hire a worker in November and pay him or her $2,000 a month, you can claim a credit of $1,600 (40% of $4,000) this year.