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Insurance

Economic stimulus package targets HR issues

02/03/2009

Amid tens of billions of dollars for roads and bridges, industry bailouts and job creation, the massive economic stimulus legislation passed by the House of Representatives last week would throw significant funding at a variety of HR-related programs and initiatives.

Do we have to defend a third party whose negligence caused our worker’s injury?

02/02/2009

Q. One of our employees was badly injured when he tripped over equipment that had been left by our office building’s maintenance workers. Workers’ comp covered his medical bills and lost wages, but he also sued the building’s owners for negligence. Now we have a letter from the owners demanding that we defend them in the lawsuit and telling us we are responsible. How can that be? I thought we were protected by workers’ comp.

IRS issues ‘grab bag’ guidance on Health Savings Accounts

02/01/2009

The U.S. Treasury Department and the Internal Revenue Service recently issued a notice providing additional guidance on Health Savings Accounts. Some of the rules will have an impact on administering these accounts, so HR professionals with benefits administration responsibilities need to be aware of the key highlights.

Costs rise as workers skimp on health care

01/27/2009

Consumers are hanging on tightly to every penny. One main cost they’re skimping on: their own health care—a move that experts say will lead to sicker Americans and higher health care costs down the road for U.S. employers. Here are three ways your organization can keep workers focused on their health even as they skimp on other expenses.

Workers have false confidence about benefits

01/27/2009
How much do your workers really understand about their employee benefits? A new study says U.S. employees truly understand less than they (or you) would think.

Class actions exploded in ’08, employers continue to pay the price

01/27/2009

Employment law class-action litigation is growing at an explosive rate, and the economic meltdown will probably fuel even more lawsuits in 2009. So says a recent report that also predicts far greater financial exposure for employers that must defend their employment policies in court. Here are the gory details.

Unemployment filings overwhelm state systems

01/16/2009

Amid the crush of newly jobless Americans seeking benefits, electronic unemployment-filing systems crashed in three states in January—New York, North Carolina and Ohio.

Driving on company business: Who’s liable?

01/16/2009

Q. Say an employee driving his own car on company business to make a bank deposit gets into an accident and is slightly injured. Is it his responsibility to go to his own doctor to seek immediate treatment and then to the workers’ comp doctors? And who covers the damage to the car?

Ask attorney for help in structuring joint ventures to limit employer liability

01/16/2009

Good news if your company is involved with another firm in a joint venture that includes provisions for sharing labor and workers’ compensation insurance costs: Employees working under the joint-venture agreement can’t sue you for damages relating to injuries covered by the workers’ compensation system.

Must we reinstate health insurance that lapsed while employee was on FMLA leave?

01/13/2009

Q. Our company allowed an employee’s health insurance to lapse because he failed to pay his share of the premium while on FMLA leave. The employee is scheduled to return to work in two weeks. What is the company required to do about the employee’s health insurance coverage when he returns?