One of the most underused employee benefits available is the “cafeteria” plan ― which can benefit both the employer and the employee. These plans allow workers to withhold a portion of their pre-tax salary to cover certain medical or childcare expenses. The benefits are free from federal and state income taxes, employees’ taxable income is…
Over the past several years, employers have seen a significant uptick in retaliation and whistleblower claims filed by employees and investigated by federal agencies. Often these claims are part of another complaint, either concerning workplace discrimination or harassment issues and filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, or concerning workplace safety issues, which are filed…
As open enrollment is right around the corner, now is the time to make a plan to maximize employee enrollment and help your staff select the health plans that best suit them. You’ll also need to make sure that you comply with the Affordable Care Act if it applies to your organization, as well as…
Cal/OSHA has proposed new regulations that would incorporate California’s new workplace violence prevention law — which took effect July 1 — into Title 8, the set of regulations that covers workplace safety in the Golden State. However, the proposed rules add a number of new requirements that some safety observers say would be unworkable in…
Announcing 2023 InterWest Insurance Services Distinguished Employee Winner! Sean Harker Supervisor, ASDA Risk Solutions Redding Each year, InterWest recognizes employees who are identified by their co-workers as having demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to their clients, workmates as well as their community. This partnership between work and giving back makes them stand out for their invaluable…
As they wrestle with providing attractive but affordable health care benefits for employees, employers are trying a variety of strategies. A recent report from insurance brokerage Gallagher shows businesses are balancing workers’ physical and emotional health against ever-rising costs. There are many cost drivers in health care and insurers and employers are in a fine…
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has issued new guidance for preventing harassment on construction industry worksites. The guidance, while not binding, can be used as a template for construction firms to implement anti-harassment policies. According to the EEOC, the industry has an especially high incidence of harassment complaints, and “some of the most egregious incidents…
The point comes in every insurance agency principal’s career that they start thinking about retiring or transitioning into a different line of work they always have dreamed of. Or perhaps life complications arise, such as divorce, serious illness or the death of an agency partner that spurs the agency owner to hang it up.…
Congratulations to the Employee Benefits team at InterWest Insurance Services on their recognition as one of the Top-Rated Employee Benefits Consultants by Mployer Advisor, September 2024.
New Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services rules that take effect Jan. 1, 2025 will significantly affect employees’ decisions on whether to continue staying with your group health plan while eligible for Medicare. Under changes in Medicare Part D drug plan rules for 2025, once a beneficiary pays more than $2,000 out of pocket for…