2023 State of HR in Optometry

Keeping Up With Compliance Training

Staying up-to-date with compliance training is crucial for optometry practices to ensure that they are complying with the latest laws and regulations. Failure to comply with these regulations can lead to costly employee claims and disputes, which can be detrimental to the practice's finances and reputation.

In our survey, 35% of optometry practice owners found keeping up with compliance training to be the hardest part of HR. This is not surprising, given that compliance training requirements are constantly changing, and it can be challenging for practices to stay up-to-date with the latest regulations. However, staying up-to-date is essential to mitigate risk and ensure that the practice is providing high-quality patient care.

One way to stay up-to-date with compliance training is by working with HR professionals or consultants who specialize in compliance training. These professionals can provide regular training sessions and ensure that employees are up-to-date with the latest laws and regulations. They can also help practices stay informed about changes to regulations and implement new policies and procedures as needed.

Another way to streamline compliance training processes is by using technology. Online training modules and platforms can make it easier for employees to complete training on their own time and at their own pace, reducing the burden on HR staff. These solutions can also be more cost-effective for practices, as they eliminate the need for in-person training sessions.

At HR for Health, we understand the importance of staying up-to-date with compliance training. That's why we offer compliance training modules for optometry practices, covering topics such as HIPAA regulations and sexual harassment prevention. Our training modules are up-to-date with the latest regulations, ensuring that practices are compliant and reducing the risk of employee claims and disputes.

Employee Handbooks and Lawyers

According to our survey, 35% of optometry practice owners rely on lawyers to write their employee handbooks and policies. While this can be a good way to ensure proper wording and legal compliance, it's important to note that lawyers tend to use boilerplate or templated books and policies that may not be perfectly applicable to a specific practice. It's crucial for optometry practices to ensure that their handbooks and policies are tailored to their specific needs and requirements.

One way to achieve this is by working with HR professionals or consultants who specialize in writing employee handbooks and policies. These professionals can help optometry practices create customized handbooks and policies that reflect their specific needs and requirements, ensuring that they are up-to-date with the latest laws and regulations.

Regular updates to employee handbooks and policies are crucial for optometry practices to ensure that their employees are informed of the latest policies and procedures. Our survey found that 85% of optometry practices update their handbooks and policies at least once a year, which is the highest percentage of all healthcare industries surveyed.

This is a positive aspect of HR for optometry practices as it ensures that employees are aware of any changes to policies or procedures that may affect their work. Regular updates also ensure that the handbook remains compliant with the latest laws and regulations, which can help reduce the risk of misunderstandings and disputes.

In addition, regular updates to employee handbooks and policies also demonstrate a commitment to transparency and fairness in the workplace. When employees know that the practice is regularly reviewing and updating policies to reflect changes in the industry, it can foster a sense of trust and engagement among staff.

However, it's important to note that simply updating the handbook or policy is not enough. Optometry practices must also ensure that employees are aware of these changes and understand their implications. This can be achieved through regular training and communication, such as meetings, email updates, or other forms of communication.

Time Spent on HR Related Tasks

Our survey found that 25% of optometry practice owners spend less than 6 hours per week on HR-related tasks themselves. However, 35% are spending over 10 hours on these tasks. This is a significant amount of time that could be better spent on other areas of the practice, such as seeing more patients, improving patient satisfaction, increasing revenue, or growing the business in other areas.

While HR-related tasks are necessary for the smooth operation of an optometry practice, it's important to strike a balance between these tasks and patient care. By spending too much time on HR-related tasks, optometry practice owners may be sacrificing patient care and potentially losing revenue.

One solution to this problem is to outsource HR-related tasks to professionals, such as HR for Health. Our team of experts can take care of tasks such as payroll, compliance training, and employee onboarding, freeing up time for optometry practice owners to focus on patient care and other areas of the business.

Outsourcing HR-related tasks also has the added benefit of ensuring that these tasks are performed correctly and efficiently. HR for Health's team of experts stays up-to-date with the latest laws and regulations to ensure that practices remain compliant and avoid any potential legal issues.

In addition, outsourcing HR-related tasks can also help improve the overall efficiency and productivity of the practice. By leaving HR-related tasks to the experts, optometry practice owners can focus on their areas of expertise, which can lead to improved patient care and increased revenue.

At HR for Health, we understand the importance of balancing HR-related tasks with patient care and other areas of the practice. That's why we offer comprehensive HR services to optometry practices, including payroll, compliance training, and employee onboarding. Our services can help practices free up time, improve efficiency, and ensure compliance with the latest laws and regulations.

Local, State, and Federal Regulations

According to our survey, 51% of optometry practice owners find it extremely challenging to keep up with local, state, and federal laws and regulations. This is not surprising, given the constantly changing landscape of healthcare regulations and the potential legal implications of non-compliance.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, employees have become more aware of their rights and employers' obligations under the law. This means that optometry practice owners need to be even more mindful of current best practices and legal requirements to avoid lawsuits and claims and protect themselves and their business.

While many optometry practices have insurance against patient claims or lawsuits, many overlook the need to protect themselves from employee claims. This is a major area of risk that practice owners must address to ensure the long-term viability of their business.

At HR for Health, we understand the challenges of keeping up with local, state, and federal laws and regulations. Our team of experts stays up-to-date with the latest legal requirements and can provide guidance and support to ensure compliance and avoid potential legal issues.

Unpaid Wages and and Claims

In our survey of over 500 optometry practice owners we found that 30% of all claims received by optometry practices were for unpaid wages. This is a high percentage compared to other industries we surveyed, highlighting the importance of ensuring proper payroll practices and compliance with wage and hour laws.

Additionally, 76% of all claims reported by optometry practice owners occurred within the last three years. This suggests a rising trend in employee understanding of their legal rights and protections, while practice owners may be falling behind in keeping up with these changing legal landscapes.

It's essential for optometry practice owners to stay informed about legal requirements and to implement proper policies and procedures to avoid potential legal issues. This includes ensuring proper payroll practices, providing clear and concise policies on overtime and breaks, and conducting regular compliance training to educate employees on their rights and responsibilities.

How Compliant is Your Practice?

Because many of the responders use lawyers for their policies and handbooks, our survey found that 71% of optometry practice owners felt that they were mostly or fully compliant with local, state, and federal laws and regulations. While this is a positive sign, it's important to note that the majority of practice owners also reported finding it difficult to keep up with these laws and regulations.

This difficulty in keeping up with compliance can lead to potential legal issues, as we've seen with the high percentage of claims related to unpaid wages. It's crucial for optometry practices to ensure that they are fully compliant with all laws and regulations to avoid legal issues that can negatively impact their business.

At HR for Health, we understand the challenges that optometry practices face in staying up-to-date with compliance requirements. That's why we offer compliance training and guidance to ensure that practice owners and their employees are fully aware of their obligations under the law.

Our team of experts stays current with the latest legal requirements and can provide guidance and support to ensure that optometry practices remain fully compliant. By working with HR for Health, optometry practice owners can rest assured that their compliance needs are taken care of, allowig them to focus on their core business activities, such as patient care and growth.