Under a new proposal by the California Air Resources Board, all new big rigs and other large trucks sold in the Golden State will have to be zero-emission vehicles, starting in 2040. The proposed rule would bar manufacturers from selling medium- and heavy-duty trucks that run on diesel or gasoline in California, and instead sell…
A comprehensive safety plan benefits both employees and the bottom line. It can help organizations comply with local and federal laws and industry regulations. In addition, a company’s approach to safety can help or hurt its reputation. But safety isn’t a one-and-done task—it should be an ongoing process that a company frequently revisits. Let’s dive…
Many companies have developed safety plans but still struggle to close the gap between the program and the reality in the workplace. The key to bridging this gap and ensuring safety compliance is to develop leadership that prioritizes and models safety to the employees. In addition, leadership can ensure that employees remain current on safety…
As health care costs continue rising and employees are being asked to shoulder more of the expense burden, you can help them by offering a tax-advantaged plan that allows them to save for medical expenses. These cafeteria plans, which are governed by Section 125 of the Internal Revenue Service Code, allow your employees to withhold…
Office and commercial building vacancies have exploded since the COVID-19 pandemic hit, leaving many buildings completely empty of tenants or partially occupied. According to the website Statista.com, the average vacancy rate for offices nationwide in the first quarter of 2022 was 12.3%, which is an improvement from 17.4% in the first quarter of 2021. Unfortunately,…
Despite newly enacted federal transparency rules for hospitals and health plans, some large hospitals are still not posting the required price lists for their services, according to a recent report. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ transparency rules were implemented to shine the light on what hospitals charge for their various medical services, the…
California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed into law legislation that would bar employers from discriminating against employees and job applicants who use cannabis on their time off. The law amends the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) to prohibit discrimination against an individual based on “an employer-required drug screening test” that detects the presence…
This is the second part of a two-part series on the factors you should take into account if you are considering joining an insurance agency cluster. Last week we looked at a number of issues that an agency needs to consider when looking to join a cluster, including area of operations, account ownership and fees…
InterWest’s Distinguished Employee: Louise Mont-Eton Louise has a positive willing attitude and never shies away from a challenge or helping a colleague. She embodies the meaning of teammate and sincerely strives to be a good example and helpful resource to others Louise is the first to step up to help when there’s a need. If…
A new survey has found that remote workers have a more difficult time choosing benefit plans that are the right fit for them compared to their colleagues who work on-site or have hybrid remote-office schedules. The poll by MetLife found that nearly half of remote workers struggle to understand their employee benefits. As a result,…