Nurses' Low Wages Could Cost You, Too

Hospitals and other health-care facilities often use nursing agencies to fill their ranks with temporary employees. But allegations surfaced in 2006 that the Arizona Hospital and Healthcare Association was illegally conspiring to lower or suppress nurses' pay. The U.S. Department of Justice and the state of Arizona filed those charges, and now several AzHHA-member hospitals face class-action lawsuits filed on behalf of agency nurses.

Here's the lesson to be learned: If your business uses temporary employees, you should review your company practices. Any agreements you have with associations or staffing agencies need to be reviewed and possibly updated to protect you, your partners and the temporary workers you employ. Pay careful attention to any compensation surveys your company participates in, whether formal or informal.

This article appeared in the September 14, 2007 issue of the Charlotte Business Journal.