Resources

Best Practices on How Employers Should Handle MLR Rebates

Highlights Overview: The ACA requires health insurers to spend a minimum percentage of their premium dollars, or MLR, on medical care and health care quality…

Looming Weather and Climate Disasters of 2020

Tornadoes, hail, floods, wildfires, hurricanes, and winter weather are happening with higher frequency across the U.S. Being in the Midwest, we sometimes feel an immunity…

ACA Pay or Play Penalties Will Increase for 2021

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) requires applicable large employers (ALEs) to offer affordable, minimum value health coverage to their full-time employees or pay a penalty.…

Federal Court Strikes Down Part of the DOL Joint Employment Rule

On Sept. 8, 2020, a federal district court struck down parts of the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) joint employer rule. This new rule became…

The Fourth Turning: Neil Howe Answers Your Questions

In 1997, Demographers Neil Howe and William Strauss wrote the book The Fourth Turning, which predicted America would enter a generation-long era of fundamental civic…

Why Wine Collectors Need to Be Careful About Insurance

In the last decade, fine wine purchasing has grown significantly in the United States. While American connoisseurs have always kept cellars stocked with fine Bordeaux,…

Wisconsin Short Term Tax Collector Bond

In August 2017, the Wisconsin State Legislature made changes to the Municipal treasurer’s bond statute 70.67. For the 2020-2021 tax season, one of the following…

Safety Perception Is Reality

When it comes to workplace safety, the perception of employees is just as important as the reality of the situation. The perception of safety can…

Your Safety Program: What Data Analytics Do You Incorporate into Your Audit Process?

Safety observations and audits are a critical element of all successful safety programs. The human element accounts for at least 90% of all occupational accidents, while…

Your Safety Program: Have You Completed a Formal Assessment of Your Safety Culture Through Anonymous Surveys?

Much has been written about the importance and effectiveness of a strong culture of safety, but how do you know if your organization actually has a…

Your Safety Program: Do You Require a Post-Offer Functional Capacity Evaluation To Determine if an Applicant’s Strength Equals or Exceeds the Physical Demands of the Job?

Despite efforts to reduce soft tissue injuries in the workplace through ergonomic improvements, employers continue to struggle with costly back, knee, and shoulder injuries among employees…

Your Safety Program: Have You Completed a Thorough Assessment of Safety Compliance Liabilities?

OSHA compliance has become increasingly complex in recent years. Furthermore, employers can comply with all standards relevant to their operations, but still be in non-compliance.…

Your Safety Program: Do You Involve the Injured Worker, Supervisor, Department Manager, and Highest Ranking Executives in the Accident Investigation Process?

The definition of an accident is “an undesirable or unfortunate happening that occurs unintentionally and usually results in harm, injury, damage, or loss.” Accident investigation is…

Your Safety Program: Do You Establish Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Timely Goals and Metrics to Monitor the Effectiveness of Your Program?

It has been said, “you can’t manage what you can’t measure,” and this is true with successful safety programs. Some companies don’t measure or track basic…

Driver Eligibility Criteria: From “Nice to Have” to “Need to Have”

For many years it was acceptable to have your insurance broker or carrier approve or deny drivers based on their MVR (Motor Vehicle Record). The…

DOL Issues Guidance on Tracking Hours of Work for Remote Employees

On August 24, 2020, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) issued Field Assistance Bulletin No. 2020-5 to remind employers of their obligation to accurately account…

Court Blocks Rule on LGBTQ+ Discrimination in Health Care

On August 17, 2020, a federal district court granted an injunction blocking a Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) regulation that would have allowed…

EEOC Issues Guidance on Opioid Addiction and the ADA

On August 5, 2020, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) issued two new publications that aim to clarify existing requirements related to opioid addiction and…

Avoid Leaky Contractor Policies

Authored by Tony Hopkins With the economy in its current state, many companies turn to renovations or repairs as an alternative to new buildings when…

Driver Selection An Evolving Science

The employees your business trusts to move precious cargo are charged with significant responsibility. In addition to that, they control freight that serves as a…

Simply Telephonic

When I was a boy, and the same for my seven (older) siblings, it was nothing for our mother to call Dr. Dwaihy to ask…

Five Steps for Controlling Workers’ Compensation Costs

If your organization is dealing with rising workers’ compensation costs as a result of workplace accidents, it’s time to take a new approach to safety.…

IRS Determines the Affordability Percentages Will Increase for 2021

Highlights For plan years beginning in 2021, the ACA’s affordability contribution percentages are increased to: 9.83% under the pay or play rules 9.83% under the…

DOL Seeks Public Input on FMLA Regulations

Important Dates July 16, 2020 – DOL issues Request for Information on FMLA regulations. Input is particularly sought on five specific topics. Sept. 15, 2020…