A new wave of class-action lawsuits is targeting employers that apply health insurance premium surcharges to employees who use tobacco, accusing them of discrimination and violating the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), according to two new blogs by prominent law firms. The lawsuits, according to a blog by Chicago-based Thompson Coburn LLP, assert that…
When employee files a federal Family and Medical Leave Act request to either deal with a health issue or care for a loved one, their employer is often put in a tight spot, particularly if the person serves a vital role in their organization. There are also a number of rules that employers need to…
It’s almost time for year-end small group open enrollment and you need to drive engagement so that your employees can make informed decisions about their health insurance options. We want to help you help your employees understand all of their options so that they can purchase a plan that is appropriate for their situation. So…
A new study has found that the fastest-growing cost associated with cyber incidents is business interruption, reinforcing the need for businesses to have in place robust response and data restoration measures, particularly after a ransomware attack. Between 2019 and 2023, the average cyber insurance claim that involved business interruption ended up costing 450% more than…
More than half of employees regret the coverage decisions they make during open enrollment, according to a new study. Part of the problem may be that the average employee spends only 30 to 60 minutes selecting their benefits during open enrollment, which typically lasts about two weeks in most workplaces, according to the study by…
Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed into law a bill that provides a right to paid time off and other protections for employees who are victims of violence, including threats, assaults, stalking and domestic abuse. AB 2499 makes significant changes to California’s “jury, court and victim time off” law by expanding instances when a victim of…
The Cal/OSHA Standards Board has relented to threats from Federal OSHA and voted to align its residential construction and roofing fall-protection trigger with its federal counterpart at 6 feet. California has been the only state that runs its own OSHA and not comply with the federal mandate that requires laborers working at heights of more…
Middle class families — those with incomes of between roughly $50,000 and $100,000 per year — are becoming increasingly reliant on workplace benefits to ensure their financial well-being in case of a disability or critical illness. Simple health insurance is insufficient to carry the load. The loss of a breadwinner’s or caregiver’s financial contribution through…
By now you should be prepared and ready to go for your 2025 policy year employee benefits open enrollment. You should have all your plan documents and have prepared or held presentations for your staff to explain the benefits package and any major changes to plans that you offer. Employees should be familiar with how…
Organizations around the world lose an estimated 5% of their annual revenues to occupational fraud, according to a survey by the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE). The association estimates that U.S. businesses lose some $50 billion a year to employee theft, and that 75% of employees have stolen at least once from their employer…