In a victory for black car and gig drivers, the U.S. Second Circuit Court of Appeals unanimously ruled 3-0 that the New York Black Car Operators' Injury Compensation Fund has the statutory authority to impose a 2.5% surcharge on noncash tips. This ruling was made on...
Where the legal risks lurk in human resources: Reduce the risk of wage-and-hour violations
As an employment lawyer and human resources expert spending my career working with businesses of various sizes, I believe the single most important thing employers can do is make sure they are handling their employees’ wages properly. When people’s livelihoods are...
N.Y.: Noncompete ban bill vetoed by governor
A noncompetition agreement, or noncompete agreement, is nothing new in the world of business. These agreements prohibit an employee from working for competitors or opening competing businesses, typically for a certain period of time after an employee leaves a job. In...
Just starting out … what’s your business structure?
When starting an insurance agency, one of the first key decisions is choosing a business structure that aligns with your goals. This critical choice impacts liability protection, startup costs, administrative duties, taxes, raising capital, and planning for the...
Design workspaces with employee health and safety in mind
Whether you’re a business owner or manager, employee well-being and safety should be at the top of your priority list. You might have safety strategies and health practices in place designed to keep your employees happy and healthy, but you could be overlooking...
N.J.: 2024 WC overall rate level decreases 3.9%
The New Jersey Compensation Rating and Inspection Bureau received approval from the Department of Banking and Insurance for a rate revision of -3.9% to become effective Monday, Jan. 1, 2024, applicable to new and renewal policies. The NJCRIB distributed Circular...
NCCI 2024 WC loss cost decrease of 9.8% approved
The Connecticut Insurance Department approved the proposed workers’ compensation loss cost filing made by the National Council on Compensation Insurance, consisting of an overall 9.8% decrease. Also approved is an overall assigned risk rate reduction of 10.5%....
N.Y.: Updates to Workers’ Compensation Law
There have been recent changes to New York state’s workers’ compensation law that is important to for employers to note—starting in 2024. In September 2023, Gov. Kathy Hochul signed S.1161-A/A.2034-A into law, which will increase the minimum benefits for workers’...
Five ways to attract and keep top insurance agency talent
Building a strong team is a crucial part of running a successful independent insurance agency. This is especially true in times of economic uncertainty. Having the right people in place can help your agency continue to win when things get tough. With recent shifts in...
Stay competitive with modern benefits
In the AppleTV+ show Severance, employees are split—their personal selves literally are left at the door when they swipe in for work. As they get to their desks, employees transition into their work selves, leaving the burdens of their personal lives at the door. In...