chapter 10 Flashcards
wrongful discharge
a concept established by precedent that says an employer risks litigation if he or she does not have just cause for firing an employee
employment- at- will
a concept of employment whereby either the employer or the employee can end the employment at any time, for any reason
just cause
an employer’s legal reason for firing an employee
public policy
the common law concept of wrongful discharge when an employee has acted for the “common good”
discrimination
prejudiced or prejudicial outlook, action, or treatment
affirmative action
program that use goals and quotas to provide preferential treatment for minority persons determined to have been underutilized in the past
occupational safety and health administration (OSHA)
established by the occupational safety and health act of 1970, the organization that is charged with writing and enforcing compulsory standards for health and safety in the workplace
right- to- know laws
state laws that allow employees access to information about toxic or hazardous substances, employer duties, employee rights, and other workplace health and safety issues
hazard communication standard (HCS)
an OSHA standard intended to increase health care practitioners’ awareness of risks, improve work practices and appropriate use of personal protective equipment, and reduce injuries and illnesses in the workplace
general duty clause
a section of hazard communication standard stating that any equipment that may pose a health risk must be specified as a hazard
chemical hygiene plan
the standard of occupational exposures to hazardous chemicals in laboratories, which clarifies the handling of hazardous chemicals in medical laboratories
occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogen standard
an OSHA regulation designed to protect health care workers from the risks of exposure to bloodborne pathogens
medical waste tracking act
the federal law that authorizes OSHA to inspect hazardous medical wastes and to cite offices for unsafe or unhealthy practices regarding these wastes
clinical laboratory improvement act (CLIA)
also called clinical laboratory improvement amendments. federal statute passed in 1988 that established minimum quality standards for all laboratory testing
workers’ compensation
a form of insurance established by federal and state statutes that provides reimbursement for workers who are injured on the job
