General Industry
October 21, 2021
Workers’ Comp and the Supply Chain Crisis
There has been a tremendous focus in recent weeks on the fragilities of our nation’s supply chain. Some everyday products are in frighteningly short supply, hundreds of container ships are waiting weeks to be unloaded, and ominous warnings are being issued that Christmas may not be coming this year. It should be noted that those...
October 20, 2021
OSHA Reveals the Top 10 Most Cited Standards for the 2021 Fiscal Year
Using preliminary data, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recently revealed its top 10 most frequently cited standards in the 2021 fiscal year. This information is valuable for businesses of all kinds as it helps them identify common exposures that affect their workforce and gives them the information they need to plan their compliance...
October 18, 2021
Boost Your Company’s Safety Culture
Safety culture is a much-discussed concept these days, but what does it actually mean? According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) Construction Safety & Injury Prevention Program Workbook, “a culture is an attitude that develops over time, based upon learning, personal experiences, beliefs, and upbringing; and is widely demonstrated by company staff. While adjusting...
October 14, 2021
Best Practices to Facilitate a Successful Benefits Rollout
Keeping employees motivated and productive in the current environment is a difficult task on its own, but when you factor in employees who are struggling financially, it’s a whole other ball game. As an employer, you want to help provide solutions by offering desirable benefits like pet insurance, flexible time off, early wage access and...
October 12, 2021
Clarifying Guidance on COBRA Deadline Extension Relief
IRS Notice 2021-58 clarifies the application of certain COBRA deadline extensions for electing COBRA coverage and paying COBRA premiums under prior relief that was issued as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak (“Emergency Relief”). Under the Emergency Relief, up to one year must be disregarded in determining the due dates for individuals to elect COBRA...
October 11, 2021
Nonprofit Risk Insights – Governance Best Practices
Governance refers to the strategic direction of an organization and encompasses a variety of functions, including financial viability and how successfully the organization is fulfilling its mission. For nonprofits, governance entails setting direction, making policy and strategy decisions, overseeing and monitoring organizational performance and ensuring overall accountability. Effective governance requires leadership and accountability from all...
October 7, 2021
FAQs Address COVID-19 Vaccine Coverage and Premium Discounts
On Oct. 4, 2021, the Departments of Labor (DOL), Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Treasury (Departments) issued FAQs addressing rules regarding premium incentives for COVID-19 vaccinations and rapid coverage of preventive services for COVID-19. Premium Incentives for COVID-19 Vaccinations The FAQs clarify that a group health plan (or health insurance issuer offering coverage...
October 6, 2021
Protecting Your Business From Wildfires
Wildfires are a powerful and deadly force of nature that can wreak havoc on the lives, land and structures that stand in their path. Protecting your business and property from wildfires is more crucial than ever, as wildfire season becomes longer and generates larger fires—resulting in more acres and properties burned each year. According to...
October 4, 2021
Cal/OSHA to Expand Enforcement Authority
On Sept. 27, 2021, California adopted Senate Bill 606 (SB 606) to expand the state’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (Cal/OSHA) enforcement authority. Among other things, SB 606 creates a new egregious violation citation category and an assumption that violations are enterprise wide under certain circumstances. SB 606 also addresses issues with abatement, notice in...
September 30, 2021
Medicare Part D Notices Due Before Oct. 15, 2021
Each year, Medicare Part D requires group health plan sponsors to disclose whether the health plan’s prescription drug coverage is creditable to individuals eligible for Medicare Part D and to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Plan sponsors must provide the annual disclosure notice to Medicare-eligible individuals before Oct. 15, 2021—the start date...