• The HR Specialist - Print Newsletter
  • HR Specialist: Employment Law
  • The HR Weekly

Insurance

Congress moves closer to association health plan

09/01/2005
This finally may be the year Congress authorizes association health plans, which would allow small businesses to participate in health insurance plans through trade associations that span state lines. The House …

You can use surveillance to spot workers’ comp fraud

09/01/2005

Q. How far can we go to make sure that employees aren’t taking advantage of our company while they’re out on workers’ comp leave? Can we, for example, call them at home to make sure they are resting and not out working another job or abusing the system? —D.V., Illinois

HIPAA Rules Aren’t Just For Doctors and Hospitals

08/01/2005

Q. I’d like to know if our company needs something like a HIPAA form for employees to sign when we release personal information to others. Is HIPAA only for the medical field? —B.B., New York

Stay distant from voluntary-benefits vendors

08/01/2005
There are many upsides to offering voluntary benefits such as long-term care insurance, prepaid legal services and pet insurance. However, if you link such programs too closely with your regular benefit plan, your organization could incur liability. Here are three ways to keep your distance.

Don’t use employee-leasing tactic to avoid UI taxes

08/01/2005
In recent years, more companies have moved their employees to professional employment organizations (PEOs) and then leased the employees back from the PEO. But states are cracking down on employers who …

Don’t overlook insurance-company freebies

06/01/2005
Many insurers offer free services that can cut your costs or make your business safer. Examples: Some offer free safety inspections and risk-management analysis. Others provide free classes or training materials …

Explain true health costs to employees; they’re clueless

05/01/2005
If you feel that employees don’t appreciate your company’s benefit plan, a new study shows why: They grossly underestimate your investment, particularly your contribution to health insurance costs.
More than …

Work with doctors to see if injury is related to work or age

05/01/2005
Issue: As the work force ages, more employees are suffering age-related injuries that appear to be work related.
Risk: You may wind up paying, in insurance and workers’ comp costs, …

Terminating smokers: When there’s smoke, can you fire?

04/01/2005
Ever since media reports focused earlier this year on a Michigan company’s strict policy banning smokers on staff, many employers have asked the question: “Can we, should we, do the same?” …

Continuing insurance isn’t required by workers’ comp

04/01/2005

Q. We have several employees out on workers’ comp claims. Our policy is to pay for the employee but not dependents. How can we terminate the group insurance for employees who are out on workers’ comp for more than three months? —M.O., Washington