The Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) rejected Costco's argument that a confidentiality provision was necessary for internal investigations, citing it as unlawfully overbroad and not time-limited enough. The ALJ also ruled that the Vice President's instructions in a March 2023 letter violated labor law by requiring an employee to keep investigation information confidential after its conclusion. This decision highlights concerns about employers' confidentiality practices and the need for them to balance integrity with employees' rights under federal labor law. Employers should review their internal investigation practices to ensure they are reasonable in scope and time, as the new administration may shift the Board's approach from the Stericycle standard to the more employer-friendly Boeing standard, which assesses rules based on their impact on employees' rights and business justifications.
https://natlawreview.com/article/costcos-internal-investigation-confidentiality-restrictions-deemed-unlawfulA new study has found that people with long Covid experience unique changes to their brains, including fewer protective proteins and higher levels of inflammation, which are linked to dementia. Long Covid patients also struggle with language tests, such as finding the right word or understanding its meaning, a sign of brain fog. The study, led by Dr. Michael Lawrence at Corewell Health in Michigan, suggests that damage to the brain, rather than an overactive immune system, causes long Covid symptoms. This is the first controlled study to validate the neurocognitive and central nervous system changes experienced by long Covid patients.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-14715661/scientists-discover-potential-long-covid-dementia-link.htmlA study published in PLOS One found that patients with long COVID, characterized by persistent brain fog six months after initial SARS-CoV-2 infection, had lower serum levels of nerve growth factor (NGF), a protein crucial for neuron development and brain plasticity. The research involved 17 individuals with confirmed COVID diagnoses, including 10 with ongoing symptoms and a control group of seven who fully recovered without long-lasting effects.
https://www.upi.com/Health_News/2025/05/15/Long-COVID-patients-show-altered-levels-key-brain-chemicals-study-finds/2651747072883/Researchers found that overworked individuals, who were younger and more educated, may have been predisposed to longer working hours due to larger brain areas. The World Health Organization and International Labour Organization reported a 29% increase in deaths from stroke and heart disease linked to long working hours, with most fatalities occurring among people aged 60-79 who worked 55 or more hours weekly between ages 45-74.
https://www.firstpost.com/health/long-work-hours-change-brain-structure-research-13888764.htmlGrowing intolerance of toxic behavior in the workplace is on the rise as mental health awareness increases. Younger generations, including millennials and Gen Z, are less willing to tolerate bullying and better at setting boundaries. Experts identify a toxic work environment by its pervasive and consistent nature, often characterized by a lack of trust, fear of speaking up, and passive-aggressive behavior. Leaders may use sarcasm, backhanded compliments, or exclusion to control employees, creating a culture where clear communication is stifled. To spot a potentially toxic environment, follow gut instincts and research employee reviews online. Toxic behavior can be a smokescreen for underlying insecurities, and addressing the issue requires seeking support from trusted friends or professionals.
https://apnews.com/article/what-to-do-toxic-workplace-job-7c96353516e7b3968e21b0d7099fd877The UK's assisted dying bill has faced significant changes and opposition. Labour MP Melanie Ward described the process as chaotic, while Kim Leadbeater insisted her version of the bill is stronger. The Royal College of Psychiatrists and the Royal College of Physicians have expressed serious concerns about the bill, citing its unworkability and deficiencies. Social care organisations have also warned that staff caring for terminally ill people will be impacted. A former supporter of the bill, Karl Turner, has broken ranks to abstain from voting in favour, stating he doesn't think he should make life-or-death decisions.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14716587/Government-admits-errors-assisted-suicide.htmlA special commission of inquiry has warned that NSW's underfunded and overstretched healthcare system is at risk of being overwhelmed by an aging and chronically ill population due to its focus on acute hospital beds, according to a report led by commissioner Richard Beasley. The state's primary care, aged care, and preventative healthcare services are also in need of improvement, the commission has stated.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/beyond-comprehension-the-massive-blind-spot-in-nsw-s-health-funding-20250515-p5lzia.htmlA new study published in Environmental International found that chemicals commonly used in plastics, such as PVC and polyurethane, can interfere with the body's natural sleep-wake cycle by delaying it by up to 17 minutes. Researchers tested these chemicals on a medical feeding tube and hydration pouch, which are widely used in healthcare and sports, and discovered they disrupted cell signals that regulate wakefulness and sleepiness. The study suggests that exposure to these plastics could increase the risk of sleep problems, diabetes, and cancer.
https://indiatoday.in/health/story/plastic-chemicals-disrupt-body-clock-sleep-cycle-risk-diabetes-cancer-2725210-2025-05-15Amanda Szmuc, a Philadelphia lawyer, advises documenting troubling interactions and keeping records of inappropriate messages or meeting recordings in case they need to escalate the issue with HR. Maintaining a record can help avoid gaslighting and reinforce determination to protect oneself. If leaving is not financially possible, setting boundaries such as negotiating different shifts or projects may be an option, according to Tosti-Kharas.
https://www.boston25news.com/news/dealing-with-toxic/SJZK6TKSFFFJ7BCFAB3LGSKGIQ/