Industry Updates

A new report found that one-third of companies who are hit with ransomware and pay the hackers to unlock their systems, are often likely to be targeted a second time. And after they pay, they are often faced with significant consequences, including system rebuilding costs, their data still being leaked and financial consequences, according to …

Continue reading “January 2023 – Ransomware Fallout – Firms That Pay Ransom Often Hit Again”

If you’ve been involved in a large construction project, you are familiar with surety bonds and all of the underwriter’s questions you need to answer. If you’re new to the game, it can be daunting. Many small contractors pass on bidding for projects if they require a surety bond. But it doesn’t have to be …

Continue reading “January 2023 – Construction Prep – Preparing for Surety Bond Underwriter Queries”

A slew of new laws and regulations that will affect California businesses are taking effect for 2023. Last year was a busy one, with ground-breaking new laws on employee pay disclosures, a law prohibiting discrimination against cannabis-using employees and another expanding the circumstances when employees can take leave to care for a loved one. The …

Continue reading “January 2023 – Top 10 California Laws, Regs for 2023”

GOVERNOR GAVIN Newsom has signed into law legislation that would bar employers from discriminating against employees and job applicants who use cannabis on their time off. The law amends the California Fair Employment and Housing Act to prohibit discrimination against an individual based on “an employer-required drug screening test” that detects the presence of “nonpsychoactive …

Continue reading “October 2022 – Employment Legislation – Law Bars Discrimination Against Cannabis Users”

THE U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to not hear an appeal of the sweeping California independent contractor law known as AB 5 is likely to cause serious personnel headaches for motor carriers in the Golden State. While the law is already in effect, there had been an injunction exempting trucking companies after the California Trucking Association …

Continue reading “October 2022 – AB 5 Court Decision – Tough Choices Ahead for Trucking Businesses”

AS WILDFIRES grow in number, intensity and scope, the cost of paying for the resulting claims is causing a property insurance crisis in some parts of the state that shows no sign of disappearing anytime soon. Commercial property insurance rates have skyrocketed for businesses in areas exposed to wildfire risks. Many have received non-renewal notices …

Continue reading “October 2022 – Commercial Property Insurance – Coverage Gets Scarce in At-Risk Areas”

AS INFLATION drives up salaries in all sectors, the workers’ compensation wage thresholds for construction dual class codes have increased in California as of Sept. 1, 2022. State Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara in July approved the recommendation by the Workers’ Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau to increase the wage thresholds for highwage workers. The new rates …

Continue reading “October 2022 – Big Changes for Dual-Wage Class Codes”

THE MORE employees are working from home, the greater the risk that their employers’ sensitive data is also being stored on their poorly secured devices and laptops. A new study by Symantec Corp. found many workers are sharing, moving, and exposing sensitive company data as part of carrying out the requirements of their jobs, and …

Continue reading “July 2022 – Privacy Liability – Companies Bleed Data as Workers Move It Offsite”

THE U.S. Supreme Court has put a significant dent in California’s Private Attorneys General Act, which in recent years has resulted in a surge in legal actions against California employers by their workers. The law has been a huge thorn in the side of employers, who have been on the receiving end of litigation by …

Continue reading “July 2022 – Supreme Court Action – PAGA Ruling a Big Win for Employers”

CONSTRUCTION FIRMS are reeling from snowballing costs of building materials due to spiking demand and supply chain snarls, which are resulting in massive budget cost overruns. This is especially affecting construction businesses that are managing apartment or commercial projects. These cost overruns are imperiling profits – and risking red ink – on the projects after …

Continue reading “July 2022 – Construction – Spiking Materials Costs Imperil Building Projects”