Electronic Health Record (EHR) systems have revolutionized the healthcare industry, offering a digital solution for managing patient information and streamlining clinical workflows. Outsourcing staffing needs ensures that organizations maintain focus on patient care medical office staffing finance. However, despite their many benefits, EHR systems present significant challenges when it comes to billing accuracy. Enhancing the integration of EHRs specifically for billing purposes is crucial to overcoming these challenges and ensuring that healthcare providers can maintain financial stability while delivering high-quality care.
One of the primary issues with current EHR systems is their often inadequate alignment with billing processes. Many EHRs were initially developed with a focus on clinical documentation rather than financial transactions. This misalignment can lead to discrepancies between the services documented in the EHR and those billed to insurance companies or patients. For instance, if a physician inadvertently omits a procedure from the EHR or documents it incorrectly, it can result in underbilling or overbilling-both of which have serious financial implications.
Moreover, variations in coding standards further complicate billing accuracy. With numerous codes required to represent different medical services accurately, any inconsistencies or errors in coding within an EHR system can lead to claim denials or delays in reimbursement. These issues highlight the need for seamless integration between clinical documentation and billing processes within an EHR system so that every service rendered is accurately captured and translated into appropriate billing codes.
Another challenge lies in interoperability-or rather, the lack thereof-among disparate health IT systems used by different providers. When hospitals and clinics utilize various incompatible EHR platforms, data exchange becomes cumbersome and error-prone. This fragmentation not only disrupts continuity of care but also affects billing precision when transferring patient records across systems. An integrated approach to interoperability would ensure that all relevant patient data flows smoothly across platforms without loss of information critical for accurate billing.
To address these challenges, enhancing EHR integration requires several strategies focused on improving both technology and workflow processes. Firstly, vendors should prioritize developing interoperable solutions that facilitate seamless communication between different health IT systems. By adopting universal standards for data exchange, healthcare institutions can minimize errors associated with manual data entry or incorrect information transfer during transitions from one system to another.
Secondly, incorporating advanced analytics tools into existing EHR frameworks could significantly improve billing accuracy by flagging potential discrepancies before claims submission occurs. Automated audits using machine learning algorithms could identify patterns indicative of common coding errors or omissions based on historical data analysis-allowing healthcare professionals timeous intervention prior costly rejections occur at insurer level.
Lastly fostering collaboration among clinicians administrators essential achieving comprehensive enhancement efforts . Encouraging cross-disciplinary teams work together optimize usability functionality integrated ehr-billing interface empower users navigate complexities inherent modern-day reimbursement landscape effectively efficiently .
In conclusion , enhancing ehr-integration pivotal overcoming persistent hurdles related achieving precise efficient medical billings ultimately safeguarding financial viability health institutions whilst ensuring optimal patient outcomes . Through concerted effort technological innovation process refinement stakeholders involved this endeavor poised transform daunting obstacle opportunity growth improvement within industry as whole .
In the increasingly complex landscape of healthcare, one critical aspect that stands out is the importance of accurate medical coding for billing processes. As healthcare providers strive to enhance Electronic Health Record (EHR) integration for improved billing accuracy, the role of precise medical coding becomes even more pivotal. Accurate medical coding serves as a cornerstone for efficient billing systems and has far-reaching implications on financial stability, regulatory compliance, and overall patient care.
Medical coding is essentially the translation of healthcare diagnoses, procedures, services, and equipment into standardized codes. These codes are crucial because they form the basis of claims submitted to insurance companies. The accuracy of these codes directly affects the reimbursement process; errors can lead to delayed payments or claim denials, significantly impacting a healthcare provider's revenue cycle. In this context, enhancing EHR integration becomes a vital strategy to ensure that coding is not only accurate but also seamlessly incorporated into the billing workflow.
One significant advantage of integrating EHR with billing systems is the reduction in manual entry errors. When data flows automatically from EHRs to billing systems, there is less room for human error-a common cause of inaccurate coding. This automation ensures that every procedure and diagnosis recorded during patient visits is accurately captured and coded correctly in real-time. Moreover, integrated systems can include built-in checks and alerts that flag discrepancies or potential errors before claims are submitted.
Accurate medical coding also plays an essential role in maintaining regulatory compliance. Healthcare regulations are stringent and constantly evolving; non-compliance can result in hefty fines or legal issues for providers. By ensuring that codes align with current standards through robust EHR integration, healthcare facilities can mitigate risks associated with audits or investigations by regulatory bodies.
Furthermore, enhanced EHR integration supports better data analytics capabilities which can improve financial forecasting and strategic planning. With precise coding data readily available within an integrated system, healthcare organizations can analyze trends in service utilization and reimbursement rates more effectively. This insight allows them to make informed decisions about resource allocation and identify areas where efficiency improvements may be needed.
Ultimately, accurate medical coding facilitated by advanced EHR integration contributes significantly to elevating patient care standards as well. It ensures transparency in billing practices which enhances trust between patients and providers while minimizing disputes over charges. Patients benefit from clearer communication regarding their treatment costs which contributes positively towards their overall experience within the healthcare system.
In conclusion, as we advance towards more sophisticated technological solutions within healthcare environments, accurate medical coding remains integral to successful billing processes. By prioritizing enhancements in EHR integration aimed at improving accuracy throughout these processes-healthcare providers position themselves not only for financial success but also for delivering high-quality care that patients deserve amidst today's dynamic health landscape.
In today's rapidly evolving healthcare landscape, the integration of Electronic Health Records (EHR) with medical coding systems is paramount for improving billing accuracy. As hospitals and clinics strive to enhance operational efficiency and patient care, seamless EHR integration becomes a crucial strategy to ensure accuracy in billing processes. By bridging the gap between clinical documentation and billing codes, healthcare providers can optimize revenue cycles, reduce errors, and improve overall financial health.
One of the primary strategies for enhancing EHR integration with medical coding systems is the adoption of advanced interoperability standards. These standards facilitate the seamless exchange of information between disparate systems by ensuring that data is consistent and readily accessible across platforms. Standards like HL7 FHIR (Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources) allow different software systems to communicate more effectively, thereby reducing discrepancies in data interpretation that can lead to billing inaccuracies.
Another significant approach involves leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning technologies. These technologies can analyze vast amounts of clinical data to automatically suggest appropriate billing codes based on documented patient interactions. This not only speeds up the coding process but also reduces human error, which is a common source of billing inaccuracies. AI-driven solutions can learn from previous data entries to continuously improve their accuracy over time, thus providing an adaptive mechanism for better coding practice.
Training and educating healthcare staff are also pivotal components in enhancing EHR integration for accurate billing. By providing comprehensive training programs focused on both EHR functionality and coding guidelines, organizations can empower their staff to utilize these systems more effectively. Understanding how to accurately document patient encounters within an EHR system ensures that all necessary information is captured correctly for subsequent coding processes.
Moreover, involving clinical staff in the design and implementation phases of EHR systems can lead to more intuitive interfaces that align closely with everyday workflows. When clinicians find it easy to navigate these systems, they are more likely to enter complete and precise patient data, which directly impacts the quality of coded information used for billing purposes.
Continuous monitoring and auditing are equally important as they provide insights into areas where integration might be failing or where additional improvements could be made. Regular audits help identify patterns in errors or inefficiencies within current processes, allowing organizations to implement targeted interventions promptly.
Finally, collaboration between IT professionals, coders, clinicians, and administrative staff should be fostered throughout this integrative effort. By encouraging open communication channels among these groups, healthcare facilities can address challenges collectively while sharing best practices for achieving optimal results.
In conclusion, strategies for enhancing EHR integration with medical coding systems are vital for achieving billing accuracy in healthcare settings. Through interoperability standards adoption, AI technology utilization, comprehensive training initiatives, collaborative design efforts involving clinical input alongside continuous monitoring practices-healthcare providers stand poised not only to improve their financial outcomes but also enhance overall patient care delivery by ensuring precise documentation flows seamlessly into accurate billing processes.
In the rapidly evolving landscape of healthcare, technological advancements have become the linchpin for achieving greater efficiency and accuracy in various operations. One such critical area is the integration of Electronic Health Records (EHR) with billing systems. As healthcare providers strive to optimize their workflows, enhancing EHR integration for billing accuracy emerges as a pivotal focus, driven by groundbreaking technological innovations.
The integration of EHR systems with billing processes has traditionally been fraught with challenges, primarily owing to disparate data formats and siloed information systems. However, recent technological advancements are bridging these gaps, facilitating seamless data flow and improving billing accuracy significantly. One key development in this realm is the adoption of interoperable standards such as Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources (FHIR). FHIR enables different healthcare applications to communicate effortlessly by using a standardized set of APIs, ensuring that patient information is consistently aligned across both clinical and financial records.
Moreover, artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning algorithms are playing a transformative role in this integration process. These technologies can analyze vast amounts of data to identify patterns and anomalies that might indicate errors or inconsistencies in billing practices. By deploying AI-driven analytics tools, healthcare providers can preemptively address potential discrepancies before they impact revenue cycles or patient satisfaction.
Cloud computing is another technological advancement contributing to improved EHR-billing integration. Cloud-based platforms offer scalable solutions that facilitate real-time updates and access to patient data from any location. This not only enhances collaboration among healthcare professionals but also ensures that billing departments have instantaneous access to up-to-date information needed for accurate invoicing.
Furthermore, blockchain technology holds promise for revolutionizing EHR-billing integration by providing an immutable ledger for all transactions. This ensures transparency and traceability, reducing the likelihood of fraudulent activities while guaranteeing that all parties involved have access to consistent data.
As these technologies continue to mature, they present opportunities for developing more sophisticated decision-support systems within EHRs. Such systems can automate many aspects of the billing process-such as code assignment based on clinical documentation-thereby minimizing human error and streamlining operations.
In conclusion, technological advancements are fundamentally reshaping how EHRs integrate with billing systems in healthcare settings. Through interoperable standards like FHIR, the application of AI and machine learning, cloud computing solutions, and blockchain technology, we are witnessing a significant enhancement in billing accuracy and operational efficiency. As these innovations continue to evolve, they will undoubtedly pave the way for a more seamless healthcare experience for providers and patients alike-one where precision in both care delivery and financial transactions becomes the norm rather than the exception.
In recent years, the integration of Electronic Health Record (EHR) systems has become a pivotal aspect of healthcare administration. As healthcare providers strive for precision and efficiency, enhancing EHR integration specifically for billing accuracy emerges as a critical area of focus. Through various case studies, it becomes evident that successful implementation of enhanced EHR systems is not only achievable but also beneficial in streamlining financial processes within medical institutions.
The journey towards enhancing EHR integration begins with understanding the unique challenges faced by healthcare facilities. Historically, discrepancies between clinical documentation and billing records have led to significant revenue losses and compliance issues. For instance, one prominent case study highlights a large hospital system that encountered frequent billing errors due to fragmented data sources. By investing in an advanced EHR system tailored to unify these sources, the hospital successfully reduced its claim denials by 30% within the first year of implementation.
Key to this success was the meticulous planning and collaboration among various departments within the institution. Stakeholders from IT, finance, and clinical operations worked cohesively to ensure that all aspects of patient care were accurately reflected in the billing process. This interdisciplinary approach facilitated a seamless transition where staff were adequately trained and workflows were redesigned to accommodate new technologies.
Another compelling example comes from a mid-sized clinic that leveraged machine learning algorithms integrated into their EHR system to predict potential billing inaccuracies before claims submission. Over time, this predictive analytics tool not only improved billing accuracy but also provided insights into common coding errors and areas requiring staff education. Consequently, this proactive strategy resulted in increased revenue capture and enhanced overall operational efficiency.
The role of vendor partnerships cannot be overstated in these success stories. Engaging with reputable EHR vendors who offer robust support and customization options played a crucial role in adapting systems to meet specific organizational needs. One case study describes how a rural health facility partnered with an EHR provider that offered scalable solutions tailored for smaller practice settings, ultimately leading to improved patient satisfaction due to fewer billing-related grievances.
Furthermore, regulatory compliance is fortified through enhanced EHR integration as real-time data validation ensures adherence to current coding standards and insurance requirements. A noteworthy case involved an urban hospital network that utilized its upgraded EHR system's built-in compliance checks which significantly reduced audit risks while maintaining adherence to industry regulations.
In conclusion, successful implementation of enhanced EHR systems for improving billing accuracy is an attainable goal that offers substantial benefits for healthcare organizations. The collective experiences from diverse institutions underscore the importance of strategic planning, cross-departmental collaboration, innovative technology adoption, and strong vendor relationships in achieving these outcomes. As more facilities adopt such practices, they pave the way towards greater financial stability and improved patient care delivery across the healthcare spectrum.
In the rapidly evolving landscape of healthcare, one of the most critical challenges is ensuring seamless integration between Electronic Health Records (EHR) and billing systems. This integration is vital for maintaining billing accuracy, improving patient care, and optimizing operational efficiency. To achieve this, training healthcare staff on these integrated systems must adhere to a set of best practices that enhance understanding and usability.
Firstly, a comprehensive needs assessment should be conducted to identify gaps in knowledge and skills among the staff. This assessment helps tailor the training program to address specific areas where staff might struggle with EHR-billing integration. By focusing on real-world scenarios and practical applications, the training becomes more relevant and engaging.
Secondly, interactive training methods should be employed to enhance learning outcomes. Incorporating hands-on activities such as simulations or role-playing can significantly improve retention rates among healthcare professionals. For instance, simulating a patient's journey from admission to billing allows staff to understand how their input affects downstream processes such as insurance claims and revenue cycle management.
Moreover, leveraging technology can further augment training efforts. Online modules and e-learning platforms provide flexible access to materials and enable continuous learning at each individual's pace. These tools also facilitate periodic assessments that help track progress and reinforce learning over time.
Another crucial element is fostering a collaborative environment during training sessions. Encouraging open communication between departments-such as clinical teams and administrative staff-helps build a shared understanding of how EHR data impacts billing accuracy. This collaboration ensures that everyone involved is informed about updates or changes in procedures, thus reducing errors caused by miscommunication or lack of awareness.
Additionally, ongoing support after initial training is essential for sustaining improvements in system use. Establishing a mentorship or peer-support program allows less experienced team members to seek guidance from seasoned colleagues whenever they encounter challenges with system integration tasks.
Finally, feedback loops should be incorporated into all stages of the training process. Soliciting input from participants not only improves future iterations but also empowers employees by valuing their insights into day-to-day operations.
In conclusion, enhancing EHR integration for billing accuracy requires well-structured training programs grounded in best practices like customized content delivery, interactive methodologies, technological support systems coupled with collaboration across departments alongside sustained post-training assistance along with feedback mechanisms which together foster competence while promoting confidence amongst healthcare personnel thereby achieving desired institutional objectives effectively without compromising on quality service delivery standards ultimately benefiting patients comprehensively through efficient streamlined workflows devoid unnecessary financial discrepancies arising due poor record keeping inaccuracies previously encountered prior implementing interventions aimed bridging existing skillset deficits apparent within workforce adeptly managing sophisticated digital platforms integral modern medical practice today tomorrow alike!
In the ever-evolving landscape of healthcare, the integration of Electronic Health Records (EHR) with billing systems presents both a challenge and an opportunity. As we look to the future, this integration is becoming increasingly vital for enhancing billing accuracy and ultimately improving patient care.
One of the primary trends expected to shape EHR and billing system integration is the rise of interoperability standards. These standards aim to ensure that different systems can communicate seamlessly with each other, eliminating data silos that have traditionally plagued healthcare institutions. By adopting such standards, healthcare providers can streamline their workflows, reduce administrative burdens, and ensure that billing is based on accurate and complete patient information.
The advent of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning also promises to revolutionize how EHRs are integrated with billing systems. AI can automate many aspects of data entry and processing, reducing human error-a significant factor in billing inaccuracies. Machine learning algorithms can analyze vast amounts of data to identify patterns or anomalies that could indicate potential errors or fraud. By integrating these technologies into EHR systems, healthcare providers can enhance their billing accuracy while also gaining insights that could improve overall care delivery.
Furthermore, cloud-based solutions are becoming more prevalent in EHR integration efforts. Cloud technology offers scalability and flexibility that traditional on-premises systems cannot match. This shift allows healthcare organizations to adopt new functionalities quickly without significant upfront investments in infrastructure. As cloud-based EHR platforms become more sophisticated, they provide real-time updates and facilitate collaboration across various departments within a healthcare facility-an essential feature for maintaining consistent and accurate billing records.
Patient-centered approaches are also influencing future trends in EHR-billing system integration. As patients demand more transparency regarding their medical records and associated costs, healthcare providers are being pushed towards systems that offer easy access to comprehensive information through patient portals. These portals not only empower patients but also encourage them to participate actively in managing their health records, which further ensures accuracy in documentation used for billing purposes.
Lastly, regulatory changes will continue to drive advancements in this area as governments worldwide impose stricter requirements for accurate medical documentation and reporting practices. Compliance with these regulations necessitates robust EHR-billing integrations capable of providing detailed audit trails while safeguarding sensitive patient information through advanced security measures.
In conclusion, enhancing EHR integration for billing accuracy involves embracing technological innovations like interoperability standards; leveraging AI capabilities; adopting cloud-based solutions; focusing on patient-centered approaches; and aligning with regulatory requirements-all crucial elements shaping future trends within this domain. By addressing these elements proactively today's healthcare organizations position themselves well not only meet current demands but anticipate tomorrow's needs too-ultimately leading towards improved efficiencies better outcomes happy satisfied patients alike!
Part of the behavioral sciences |
Economics |
---|
![]() |
|
|
Part of a series on |
Organized labor |
---|
![]() |
Employment is a relationship between two parties regulating the provision of paid labour services. Usually based on a contract, one party, the employer, which might be a corporation, a not-for-profit organization, a co-operative, or any other entity, pays the other, the employee, in return for carrying out assigned work.[1] Employees work in return for wages, which can be paid on the basis of an hourly rate, by piecework or an annual salary, depending on the type of work an employee does, the prevailing conditions of the sector and the bargaining power between the parties. Employees in some sectors may receive gratuities, bonus payments or stock options. In some types of employment, employees may receive benefits in addition to payment. Benefits may include health insurance, housing, and disability insurance. Employment is typically governed by employment laws, organization or legal contracts.
An employee contributes labour and expertise to an endeavor of an employer or of a person conducting a business or undertaking (PCB)[2] and is usually hired to perform specific duties which are packaged into a job. In a corporate context, an employee is a person who is hired to provide services to a company on a regular basis in exchange for compensation and who does not provide these services as part of an independent business.[3]
An issue that arises in most companies, especially the ones that are in the gig economy, is the classification of workers. A lot of workers that fulfill gigs are often hired as independent contractors.
To categorize a worker as an independent contractor rather than an employee, an independent contractor must agree with the client on what the finished work product will be and then the contractor controls the means and manner of achieving the desired outcome. Secondly, an independent contractor offers services to the public at large, not just to one business, and is responsible for disbursing payments from the client, paying unreimbursed expenses, and providing his or her own tools to complete the job. Third, the relationship of the parties is often evidenced by a written agreement that specifies that the worker is an independent contractor and is not entitled to employee benefits; the services provided by the worker are not key to the business; and the relationship is not permanent.[4]
As a general principle of employment law, in the United States, there is a difference between an agent and an independent contractor. The default status of a worker is an employee unless specific guidelines are met, which can be determined by the ABC test.[5][6] Thus, clarifying whether someone who performs work is an independent contractor or an employee from the beginning, and treating them accordingly, can save a company from trouble later on.
Provided key circumstances, including ones such as that the worker is paid regularly, follows set hours of work, is supplied with tools from the employer, is closely monitored by the employer, acting on behalf of the employer, only works for one employer at a time, they are considered an employee,[7] and the employer will generally be liable for their actions and be obliged to give them benefits.[8] Similarly, the employer is the owner of any invention created by an employee "hired to invent", even in the absence of an assignment of inventions. In contrast, a company commissioning a work by an independent contractor will not own the copyright unless the company secures either a written contract stating that it is a "work made for hire" or a written assignment of the copyright. In order to stay protected and avoid lawsuits, an employer has to be aware of that distinction.[4]
Employer and managerial control within an organization rests at many levels and has important implications for staff and productivity alike, with control forming the fundamental link between desired outcomes and actual processes. Employers must balance interests such as decreasing wage constraints with a maximization of labor productivity in order to achieve a profitable and productive employment relationship.
The main ways for employers to find workers and for people to find employers are via jobs listings in newspapers (via classified advertising) and online, also called job boards. Employers and job seekers also often find each other via professional recruitment consultants which receive a commission from the employer to find, screen and select suitable candidates. However, a study has shown that such consultants may not be reliable when they fail to use established principles in selecting employees.[1] A more traditional approach is with a "Help Wanted" sign in the establishment (usually hung on a window or door[9] or placed on a store counter).[3] Evaluating different employees can be quite laborious but setting up different techniques to analyze their skills to measure their talents within the field can be best through assessments. Employer and potential employee commonly take the additional step of getting to know each other through the process of a job interview.
Training and development refers to the employer's effort to equip a newly hired employee with the necessary skills to perform at the job, and to help the employee grow within the organization. An appropriate level of training and development helps to improve employee's job satisfaction.[10]
There are many ways that employees are paid, including by hourly wages, by piecework, by yearly salary, or by gratuities (with the latter often being combined with another form of payment). In sales jobs and real estate positions, the employee may be paid a commission, a percentage of the value of the goods or services that they have sold. In some fields and professions (e.g., executive jobs), employees may be eligible for a bonus if they meet certain targets. Some executives and employees may be paid in shares or stock options, a compensation approach that has the added benefit, from the company's point of view, of helping to align the interests of the compensated individual with the performance of the company.
Under the faithless servant doctrine, a doctrine under the laws of a number of states in the United States, and most notably New York State law, an employee who acts unfaithfully towards his employer must forfeit all of the compensation he received during the period of his disloyalty.[11][12][13][14][15]
Employee benefits are various non-wage compensation provided to employees in addition to their wages or salaries. The benefits can include: housing (employer-provided or employer-paid), group insurance (health, dental, life etc.), disability income protection, retirement benefits, daycare, tuition reimbursement, sick leave, vacation (paid and non-paid), social security, profit sharing, funding of education, and other specialized benefits. In some cases, such as with workers employed in remote or isolated regions, the benefits may include meals. Employee benefits can improve the relationship between employee and employer and lowers staff turnover.[16]
Organizational justice is an employee's perception and judgement of employer's treatment in the context of fairness or justice. The resulting actions to influence the employee-employer relationship is also a part of organizational justice.[16]
Employees can organize into trade or labor unions, which represent the workforce to collectively bargain with the management of organizations about working, and contractual conditions and services.[17]
Usually, either an employee or employer may end the relationship at any time, often subject to a certain notice period. This is referred to as at-will employment. The contract between the two parties specifies the responsibilities of each when ending the relationship and may include requirements such as notice periods, severance pay, and security measures.[17] A contract forbidding an employee from leaving their employment, under penalty of a surety bond, is referred to as an employment bond. In some professions, notably teaching, civil servants, university professors, and some orchestra jobs, some employees may have tenure, which means that they cannot be dismissed at will. Another type of termination is a layoff.
Wage labor is the socioeconomic relationship between a worker and an employer, where the worker sells their labor under a formal or informal employment contract. These transactions usually occur in a labor market where wages are market-determined.[10][16] In exchange for the wages paid, the work product generally becomes the undifferentiated property of the employer, except for special cases such as the vesting of intellectual property patents in the United States where patent rights are usually vested in the original personal inventor. A wage laborer is a person whose primary means of income is from the selling of his or her labor in this way.[17]
In modern mixed economies such as that of the OECD countries, it is currently the dominant form of work arrangement. Although most work occurs following this structure, the wage work arrangements of CEOs, professional employees, and professional contract workers are sometimes conflated with class assignments, so that "wage labor" is considered to apply only to unskilled, semi-skilled or manual labor.[18]
Wage labor, as institutionalized under today's market economic systems, has been criticized,[17] especially by socialists,[18][19][20][21] using the pejorative term wage slavery.[22][23] Socialists draw parallels between the trade of labor as a commodity and slavery. Cicero is also known to have suggested such parallels.[24]
The American philosopher John Dewey posited that until "industrial feudalism" is replaced by "industrial democracy", politics will be "the shadow cast on society by big business".[25] Thomas Ferguson has postulated in his investment theory of party competition that the undemocratic nature of economic institutions under capitalism causes elections to become occasions when blocs of investors coalesce and compete to control the state plus cities.[26]
American business theorist Jeffrey Pfeffer posits that contemporary employment practices and employer commonalities in the United States, including toxic working environments, job insecurity, long hours and increased performance pressure from management, are responsible for 120,000 excess deaths annually, making the workplace the fifth leading cause of death in the United States.[27][28]
Australian employment has been governed by the Fair Work Act since 2009.[29]
Bangladesh Association of International Recruiting Agencies (BAIRA) is an association of national level with its international reputation of co-operation and welfare of the migrant workforce as well as its approximately 1200 members agencies in collaboration with and support from the Government of Bangladesh.[18]
In the Canadian province of Ontario, formal complaints can be brought to the Ministry of Labour. In the province of Quebec, grievances can be filed with the Commission des normes du travail.[21]
Two of the prominent examples of work and employment contracts in Germany are the Werksvertrag[30][31] or the Arbeitsvertrag,[32][33][34][35] which is a form of Dienstleistungsvertrag (service-oriented contract). An Arbeitsvertrag can also be temporary,[36] whereas a temporary worker is working under Zeitarbeit[37] or Leiharbeit.[38] Another employment setting is Arbeitnehmerüberlassung (ANÜ).[39][40][41]
India has options for a fixed term contract or a permanent contract. Both contracts are entitled to minimum wages, fixed working hours and social security contributions.[21]
Pakistan has no contract Labor, Minimum Wage and Provident Funds Acts. Contract labor in Pakistan must be paid minimum wage and certain facilities are to be provided to labor. However, the Acts are not yet fully implemented.[18]
In the Philippines, employment is regulated by the Department of Labor and Employment.[42]
According to Swedish law,[43] there are three types of employment.
There are no laws about minimum salary in Sweden. Instead, there are agreements between employer organizations and trade unions about minimum salaries, and other employment conditions.
There is a type of employment contract which is common but not regulated in law, and that is Hour employment (Swedish: Timanställning), which can be Normal employment (unlimited), but the work time is unregulated and decided per immediate need basis. The employee is expected to be answering the phone and come to work when needed, e.g. when someone is ill and absent from work. They will receive salary only for actual work time and can in reality be fired for no reason by not being called anymore. This type of contract is common in the public sector.[44]
In the United Kingdom, employment contracts are categorized by the government into the following types:[45]
For purposes of U.S. federal income tax withholding, 26 U.S.C. § 3401(c) provides a definition for the term "employee" specific to chapter 24 of the Internal Revenue Code:
"For purposes of this chapter, the term "employee" includes an officer, employee, or elected official of the United States, a State, or any political subdivision thereof, or the District of Columbia, or any agency or instrumentality of any one or more of the foregoing. The term "employee" also includes an officer of a corporation."[46] This definition does not exclude all those who are commonly known as 'employees'. "Similarly, Latham's instruction which indicated that under 26 U.S.C. § 3401(c) the category of 'employee' does not include privately employed wage earners is a preposterous reading of the statute. It is obvious that within the context of both statutes the word 'includes' is a term of enlargement not of limitation, and the reference to certain entities or categories is not intended to exclude all others."[47]
Employees are often contrasted with independent contractors, especially when there is dispute as to the worker's entitlement to have matching taxes paid, workers compensation, and unemployment insurance benefits. However, in September 2009, the court case of Brown v. J. Kaz, Inc. ruled that independent contractors are regarded as employees for the purpose of discrimination laws if they work for the employer on a regular basis, and said employer directs the time, place, and manner of employment.[42]
In non-union work environments, in the United States, unjust termination complaints can be brought to the United States Department of Labor.[48]
Labor unions are legally recognized as representatives of workers in many industries in the United States. Their activity today centers on collective bargaining over wages, benefits, and working conditions for their membership, and on representing their members in disputes with management over violations of contract provisions. Larger unions also typically engage in lobbying activities and electioneering at the state and federal level.[42]
Most unions in America are aligned with one of two larger umbrella organizations: the AFL–CIO created in 1955, and the Change to Win Federation which split from the AFL–CIO in 2005. Both advocate policies and legislation on behalf of workers in the United States and Canada, and take an active role in politics. The AFL–CIO is especially concerned with global trade issues.[26]
Young workers are at higher risk for occupational injury and face certain occupational hazards at a higher rate; this is generally due to their employment in high-risk industries. For example, in the United States, young people are injured at work at twice the rate of their older counterparts.[50] These workers are also at higher risk for motor vehicle accidents at work, due to less work experience, a lower use of seat belts, and higher rates of distracted driving.[51][52] To mitigate this risk, those under the age of 17 are restricted from certain types of driving, including transporting people and goods under certain circumstances.[51]
High-risk industries for young workers include agriculture, restaurants, waste management, and mining.[50][51] In the United States, those under the age of 18 are restricted from certain jobs that are deemed dangerous under the Fair Labor Standards Act.[51]
Youth employment programs are most effective when they include both theoretical classroom training and hands-on training with work placements.[53]
In the conversation of employment among younger aged workers, youth unemployment has also been monitored. Youth unemployment rates tend to be higher than the adult rates in every country in the world.[54]
Those older than the statutory defined retirement age may continue to work, either out of enjoyment or necessity. However, depending on the nature of the job, older workers may need to transition into less-physical forms of work to avoid injury. Working past retirement age also has positive effects, because it gives a sense of purpose and allows people to maintain social networks and activity levels.[55] Older workers are often found to be discriminated against by employers.[56]
Employment is no guarantee of escaping poverty, the International Labour Organization (ILO) estimates that as many as 40% of workers are poor, not earning enough to keep their families above the $2 a day poverty line.[44] For instance, in India most of the chronically poor are wage earners in formal employment, because their jobs are insecure and low paid and offer no chance to accumulate wealth to avoid risks.[44] According to the UNRISD, increasing labor productivity appears to have a negative impact on job creation: in the 1960s, a 1% increase in output per worker was associated with a reduction in employment growth of 0.07%, by the first decade of this century the same productivity increase implies reduced employment growth by 0.54%.[44] Both increased employment opportunities and increased labor productivity (as long as it also translates into higher wages) are needed to tackle poverty. Increases in employment without increases in productivity leads to a rise in the number of "working poor", which is why some experts are now promoting the creation of "quality" and not "quantity" in labor market policies.[44] This approach does highlight how higher productivity has helped reduce poverty in East Asia, but the negative impact is beginning to show.[44] In Vietnam, for example, employment growth has slowed while productivity growth has continued.[44] Furthermore, productivity increases do not always lead to increased wages, as can be seen in the United States, where the gap between productivity and wages has been rising since the 1980s.[44] Oxfam and social scientist Mark Robert Rank have argued that the economy of the United States is failing to provide jobs that can adequately support families.[57][58] According to sociologist Matthew Desmond, the US "offers some of the lowest wages in the industrialized world," which has "swelled the ranks of the working poor, most of whom are thirty-five or older."[59]
Researchers at the Overseas Development Institute argue that there are differences across economic sectors in creating employment that reduces poverty.[44] 24 instances of growth were examined, in which 18 reduced poverty. This study showed that other sectors were just as important in reducing unemployment, such as manufacturing.[44] The services sector is most effective at translating productivity growth into employment growth. Agriculture provides a safety net for jobs and economic buffer when other sectors are struggling.[44]
Growth, employment and poverty[44] | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Number of episodes |
Rising agricultural employment |
Rising industrial employment |
Rising services employment |
|
Growth episodes associated with falling poverty rates |
18
|
6
|
10
|
15
|
Growth episodes associated with no fall in poverty rates |
6
|
2
|
3
|
1
|
Scholars conceptualize the employment relationship in various ways.[60] A key assumption is the extent to which the employment relationship necessarily includes conflicts of interests between employers and employees, and the form of such conflicts.[61] In economic theorizing, the labor market mediates all such conflicts such that employers and employees who enter into an employment relationship are assumed to find this arrangement in their own self-interest. In human resource management theorizing, employers and employees are assumed to have shared interests (or a unity of interests, hence the label “unitarism”). Any conflicts that exist are seen as a manifestation of poor human resource management policies or interpersonal clashes such as personality conflicts, both of which can and should be managed away. From the perspective of pluralist industrial relations, the employment relationship is characterized by a plurality of stakeholders with legitimate interests (hence the label “pluralism), and some conflicts of interests are seen as inherent in the employment relationship (e.g., wages v. profits). Lastly, the critical paradigm emphasizes antagonistic conflicts of interests between various groups (e.g., the competing capitalist and working classes in a Marxist framework) that are part of a deeper social conflict of unequal power relations. As a result, there are four common models of employment:[62]
These models are important because they help reveal why individuals hold differing perspectives on human resource management policies, labor unions, and employment regulation.[63] For example, human resource management policies are seen as dictated by the market in the first view, as essential mechanisms for aligning the interests of employees and employers and thereby creating profitable companies in the second view, as insufficient for looking out for workers’ interests in the third view, and as manipulative managerial tools for shaping the ideology and structure of the workplace in the fourth view.[64]
Literature on the employment impact of economic growth and on how growth is associated with employment at a macro, sector and industry level was aggregated in 2013.[65]
Researchers found evidence to suggest growth in manufacturing and services have good impact on employment. They found GDP growth on employment in agriculture to be limited, but that value-added growth had a relatively larger impact.[44] The impact on job creation by industries/economic activities as well as the extent of the body of evidence and the key studies. For extractives, they again found extensive evidence suggesting growth in the sector has limited impact on employment. In textiles, however, although evidence was low, studies suggest growth there positively contributed to job creation. In agri-business and food processing, they found impact growth to be positive.[65]
They found that most available literature focuses on OECD and middle-income countries somewhat, where economic growth impact has been shown to be positive on employment. The researchers didn't find sufficient evidence to conclude any impact of growth on employment in LDCs despite some pointing to the positive impact, others point to limitations. They recommended that complementary policies are necessary to ensure economic growth's positive impact on LDC employment. With trade, industry and investment, they only found limited evidence of positive impact on employment from industrial and investment policies and for others, while large bodies of evidence does exist, the exact impact remains contested.[65]
Researchers have also explored the relationship between employment and illicit activities. Using evidence from Africa, a research team found that a program for Liberian ex-fighters reduced work hours on illicit activities. The employment program also reduced interest in mercenary work in nearby wars. The study concludes that while the use of capital inputs or cash payments for peaceful work created a reduction in illicit activities, the impact of training alone is rather low.[66]
The balance of economic efficiency and social equity is the ultimate debate in the field of employment relations.[67] By meeting the needs of the employer; generating profits to establish and maintain economic efficiency; whilst maintaining a balance with the employee and creating social equity that benefits the worker so that he/she can fund and enjoy healthy living; proves to be a continuous revolving issue in westernized societies.[67]
Globalization has affected these issues by creating certain economic factors that disallow or allow various employment issues. Economist Edward Lee (1996) studies the effects of globalization and summarizes the four major points of concern that affect employment relations:
What also results from Lee's (1996) findings is that in industrialized countries an average of almost 70 per cent of workers are employed in the service sector, most of which consists of non-tradable activities. As a result, workers are forced to become more skilled and develop sought after trades, or find other means of survival. Ultimately this is a result of changes and trends of employment, an evolving workforce, and globalization that is represented by a more skilled and increasing highly diverse labor force, that are growing in non standard forms of employment (Markey, R. et al. 2006).[67]
Various youth subcultures have been associated with not working, such as the hippie subculture in the 1960s and 1970s (which endorsed the idea of "dropping out" of society) and the punk subculture.
One of the alternatives to work is engaging in post-secondary education at a college, university or professional school. One of the major costs of obtaining a post-secondary education is the opportunity cost of forgone wages due to not working. At times when jobs are hard to find, such as during recessions, unemployed individuals may decide to get post-secondary education, because there is less of an opportunity cost.
In some countries, individuals who are not working can receive social assistance support (e.g., welfare or food stamps) to enable them to rent housing, buy food, repair or replace household goods, maintenance of children and observe social customs that require financial expenditure.
Workers who are not paid wages, such as volunteers who perform tasks for charities, hospitals or not-for-profit organizations, are generally not considered employed. One exception to this is an internship, an employment situation in which the worker receives training or experience (and possibly college credit) as the chief form of compensation.[68]
Those who work under obligation for the purpose of fulfilling a debt, such as indentured servants, or as property of the person or entity they work for, such as slaves, do not receive pay for their services and are not considered employed. Some historians[which?] suggest that slavery is older than employment, but both arrangements have existed for all recorded history.[citation needed] Indentured servitude and slavery are not considered compatible with human rights or with democracy.[68]
![]() |
The examples and perspective in this article may not represent a worldwide view of the subject.(September 2023)
|
Self-employment is the state of working for oneself rather than an employer. Tax authorities will generally view a person as self-employed if the person chooses to be recognised as such or if the person is generating income for which a tax return needs to be filed. In the real world, the critical issue for tax authorities is not whether a person is engaged in business activity (called trading even when referring to the provision of a service) but whether the activity is profitable and therefore potentially taxable. In other words, the trading is likely to be ignored if there is no profit, so occasional and hobby- or enthusiast-based economic activity is generally ignored by tax authorities. Self-employed people are usually classified as a sole proprietor (or sole trader), independent contractor, or as a member of a partnership.
Self-employed people generally find their own work rather than being provided with work by an employer and instead earn income from a profession, a trade, or a business that they operate. In some countries, such as the United States and the United Kingdom, the authorities are placing more emphasis on clarifying whether an individual is self-employed or engaged in disguised employment, in other words pretending to be in a contractual intra-business relationship to hide what is in fact an employer-employee relationship.Local employment initiatives aim to ensure that residents of the area adjacent to an employers' premises are offered employment there. Local jobs initiatives are common in a construction context.[69] In retail, the Westfield Centre in west London, which opened in 2008, has been noted as an example offering employment to local residents: during the period when the centre was under construction, up to 3000 local people received pre-employment training through a partnership scheme aiming to ensure that a significant proportion of the centre's jobs were taken up by local people. 40% of the centre's management staff had been locally recruited at the time when the centre opened.[70]
The most significant definitions are 'person conducting a business or undertaking' (PCBU). 'worker' and 'workplace'. [...] 'PCBU' is a wider ranging term than 'employer', though this will be what most people understand by it.
The US is falling drastically behind similar countries in mandating adequate wages, protections, and rights for millions of workers and their families. The wealthiest country in the world is near the bottom of every dimension of this index.
The tendency of our free market economy has been to produce a growing number of jobs that will no longer support a family. In addition, the basic nature of capitalism ensures that unemployment exists at modest levels. Both of these directly result in a shortage of economic opportunities in American society. In addition, the absence of social supports stems from failings at the political and policy levels. The United States has traditionally lacked the political desire to put in place effective policies and programs that would support the economically vulnerable. Structural failing at the economic and political levels have therefore produced a lack of opportunities and supports, resulting in high rates of American poverty.