Your firm gets tapped to build a brand new office building in a promising location. The budget is high and the timeline reasonable. You can’t wait to sign the contract and get started. That “Waiver of Subrogation” it includes? You’ve seen it before and haven’t thought too much about it, as it seems to be becoming standard boilerplate. But just … Read More
Senate Passes ACA Small Group Market Rule Repeal
On Oct. 1, 2015, the U.S. Senate passed legislation repealing the Affordable Care Act (ACA) requirement that the small group market in every state be expanded to include businesses with 51-100 employees. The Protecting Affordable Coverage for Employees (PACE) Act was passed by the U.S. House of Representatives earlier in the week. It has been reported that President Obama … Read More
Don’t get caught without kidnap and ransom insurance
Once you’re above the preteen years, kidnap and ransom sounds like a rather exotic peril…something that only happens to drug kingpins on shadowy, private islands. But the threat for adults is real, especially for high net worth individuals who travel internationally. How real? Well, author Ann Auerbach spent two years chronicling kidnap and ransom cases and estimated more than 30,000 … Read More
2015 Draft Instructions for 6055 and 6056 Reporting Include Filing Extensions
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) created new reporting requirements under Internal Revenue Code (Code) Sections 6055 and 6056. Under these new reporting rules, certain employers must provide information to the IRS about the health plan coverage they offer (or do not offer) or provide to their employees. Reporting is first required in 2016, related to coverage offered or provided in … Read More
Franchise owners: 5 secrets to managing your Workers’ Compensation rates
Nothing is worse than having an employee injured on the job. As a franchise owner you know injuries can happen. But when one occurs you’re left doing a balancing act, caught between assuring your employee gets the best care while trying to keep your workers’ compensation costs from spiraling out of control. The stress can be overwhelming. Here are 5 … Read More
Is it a bird, a plane or a liability?
Domino’s wants to deliver your pizza with one, and your cousin had one fly over her beach wedding. The use of drones, or unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), has exploded in recent years. The small remote controlled planes are being flown by hobbyists to government personnel monitoring disasters and crops. The Federal Aviation Administration is finalizing its regulations for commercial … Read More
Wellness programs: So much more than losing weight
More and more companies are instituting wellness programs in the workplace, and it’s no surprise, given that 92% of owners say they are effective, with real, measurable ROI. Wellness programs are about more than just passively encouraging employees to exercise and watch what they eat (though research shows that is a very positive objective)! A robust, well-rounded wellness program provides … Read More
Contractor’s Errors & Omissions – Time to take a serious look.
We live in a very litigious society – lawsuits are not only common but they are now becoming a part of business day to day life. Most contractors understand the need for standard liability insurance – the majority of jobs require a certification stating that ample coverage is in place. But, are you aware that your standard liability coverage will … Read More
Job Descriptions: Many businesses overlook this key HR must have – do you?
Job descriptions are an essential component of any organization. Not only is it important that they are thorough and accurate when first crafted, it is also vital that they are kept up-to-date, as employees’ job functions may evolve. Inaccurate or outdated job descriptions can also negatively affect recruiting and productivity, are a detriment to the employer-employee relationship and pose serious … Read More
Life is a highway. Drive safe this summer
You’ve been on the road for hours, hauling your load in the sweltering heat. The sun is so hot it crawls on your skin. You have only a few miles to reach your destination to get some needed rest when your rig starts to overheat. Your day just got longer…. and hotter. Summer driving for long-haul truckers present certain challenges. … Read More