What to Do in a Policy Review

Scheduling regular policy reviews can ensure your business has the coverage it needs, when you need it. If you haven’t reviewed your coverage lately, the beginning of the year is a great time to take care of this important housekeeping matter.

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Temporary Employees, Full Time Risks

Using contingent workers can relieve your organization of some human resource functions, but it can create liability exposures.

When you hire temporary or leased employees, the agency acts as the employer. The agency is responsible for screening employees, paying employment taxes, providing workers’ compensation and, in some instances, providing employee benefits. Continue reading “Temporary Employees, Full Time Risks”

Horseplay: Who Pays When Someone Gets Hurt?

When horseplay occurs in a work environment, does workers’ compensation apply?

Generally, an injury must 1) occur in the course of employment and 2) arise out of the worker’s employment to be compensable. Merriam-Webster defines horseplay as “rough or loud play: energetic and noisy playful activity.”’ Most job descriptions don’t include play…so should employees receive workers’ compensation for injuries occurring due to recreational activities or horseplay? Continue reading “Horseplay: Who Pays When Someone Gets Hurt?”

Will Medical Marijuana Send Your Employment Policies up in Smoke?

Twenty-two states and the District of Columbia now allow the medical use of marijuana. Colorado, Oregon and Washington have also legalized its recreational use and possession. How will this affect your employment policies?

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Intern-al Affairs

With the jobless rate for people ages 20 to 24 still higher than 10 percent, many college students might be willing to trade their time for an unpaid learning experience. But there is a legal difference between an employee and an intern. Knowing the difference can help you avoid breaking the law. Continue reading “Intern-al Affairs”

The Truth about Alcohol Abuse and Workplace Injuries

When researching the effects of alcohol on workplace injuries, you’ll likely stumble across a statistic attributing 38 to 50 percent of all workplace injuries to alcohol or drug abuse. If that sounds shockingly high to you, you’re probably right. Continue reading “The Truth about Alcohol Abuse and Workplace Injuries”

Marijuana and Workers’ Compensation

marijuana

Twenty-three states and the District of Columbia now allow the medical use of marijuana. Colorado, Washington, Oregon and Alaska have also legalized its recreational use and possession. Will this send employers’ zero-tolerance policies up in smoke? Continue reading “Marijuana and Workers’ Compensation”