Industry Updates

THE WORKERS’ Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau of California is recommending that advisory benchmark workers’ compensation rates increase an average of 7.6% starting Sept. 1. The proposal comes as the economy heats up and workplace injuries increase, all while COVID-19 workers’ compensation claims continue growing in number. The recommendation stilll needs to be approved by Insurance …

Continue reading “July 2022 – Rating Bureau Recommends 7.6% Rate Increase”

THE WAY courts have interpreted a California law – the Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA), which has been on the books for 18 years – has led to an explosion of lawsuits against employers during the last few years. The law has generated more than 20,000 lawsuits since 2017 at an average cost of $1.1 …

Continue reading “April 2022 – State Law Has Employers on the Defensive”

THE DEADLINE is fast approaching for employers with five or more workers in California, and who do not already off er their employees a retirement plan, to register their staff for the CalSavers Retirement Savings Program. Only California employers that do not off er retirement plans are required to register for CalSavers and there are …

Continue reading “April 2022 – Retirement Savings Law – CalSavers Registration for Small Employers”

ONE OF the biggest challenges construction businesses face is preventing subcontractors’ and suppliers’ poor or non-existent safety practices from denting their own safety program. While you may consider a number of factors when vetting a new subcontractor or vendor, one area that is often overlooked is their workplace safety practices. This mistake can cost you …

Continue reading “April 2022 – Risk Management – Don’t Let a Subcontractor Derail Your Safety Efforts”

WHILE RANSOMWARE is making the headlines as the major cyber threat, small and mid-sized businesses are increasingly being targeted by lower fraud that dupes them into wiring criminals funds, according to a new report. These funds transfer fraud crimes involve hackers gaining access to a firm’s mailbox and extracting payments that go into their accounts. …

Continue reading “April 2022 – Growing Threat – Funds Transfer Fraud Hits Small Firms the Hardest”

COMMERCIAL PROPERTY insurance rates are continuing to climb, as the segment faces a number of headwinds that have pushed claims costs to new heights. A number of factors are affecting rates, including the frequency and severity of extreme weather claims. the cost of rebuilding, rates for commercial properties not keeping pace with claims costs, and …

Continue reading “Jan 2022 – COMMERCIAL PROPERTY – Factors that are pushing the insurance rates higher”

THE FEDERAL government is warning that a newly discovered computer software vulnerability poses a major threat to the security of computer networks around the country. Cyber criminals are exploiting holes in open-source code software commonly used in computer applications, websites and cloud services, which can allow them to seize control of a business’s computer network …

Continue reading “Jan 2022 – CYBER THREAT – Software Security Hole Puts Firms at Risk”

EVERY YEAR starts with a flurry of new laws and regulations that California employers have to contend with. And 2022 is no different as the California legislature had a busy year and the stresses of the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in more activity. The end result is another round of new laws that employers need to …

Continue reading “Jan 2022 – RISK REPORT – Stay on Top of New Laws, Rules in New Year”

AS THE CONSTRUCTION industry booms, contractors face evolving risks that, left unchecked, can leave their operation exposed to new liabilities. If you already operate a construction firm, you know that there is a labor shortage that has made it difficult to find experienced workers and that hiring entities are asking builders to take on more …

Continue reading “October 2021 – CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY – Building Risks Evolve, Creating Unique Challenges”

CAL/OSHA has taken the first step towards creating a semi-permanent COVID-19 standard to replace the emergency temporary standard that currently governs workplace coronavirus prevention measures in the state.   On Sept. 17, Cal/OSHA released a discussion draft for permanent COVID-19 regulations to give stakeholders the chance to comment on it before it starts work on …

Continue reading “October 2021 – WORKPLACE SAFETY- Permanent COVID-19 Standard Coming Soon”