Category: Newsletter

Sep
09
2019

Preparing a ‘Go-Bag’ Emergency Kit in Case of Sudden Evacuation

by CoreMark | posted in Blog, Newsletter

As natural catastrophes continue growing in number and severity, everybody should be prepared for quick evacuation in case of emergency. Even if you don’t live in an area known for natural disasters, you should always be prepared in case you have to make a sudden evacuation. While there is only so much planning we can do for this type of event, at the very least you should consider packing a “go-bag” emergency kit of supplies that can help keep you safe while finding a place to retreat to. When you need to leave in a hurry, depending on how much…
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Sep
09
2019

Lockout/Tagout Training Essential in Any Shop with Equipment

by CoreMark | posted in Blog, Newsletter

Every year, hundreds of workers in the United States die because they don’t follow lockout/tagout procedures or their employers did not have them in place – or, if they did, failed to enforce their rules. Failure to train or inadequate training is one of the top-cited lockout/tagout violations by Cal/OSHA. Improper training or failing to train all of your workers can have dire consequences, even for staff that are trained in procedures. In this past year in California, two workers died because of inadequate training. One died on the job at a nut cannery because he had missed lockout/tagout training when…
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Sep
06
2019

Budgeting and Prepping for Open Enrollment

by CoreMark | posted in Blog, Newsletter

If you are running a business, you need to get an early start on preparations for your small group health plan open enrollment, particularly now as so much confusion abounds about the state of health insurance in the country. With recent new regulations, options have changed for employers and you need to stay focused on maximizing your outcomes within your budget. You also want to drive participation, as that too can reduce overall rates for you. Prepping for open enrollment The basics Familiarize yourself with the various options that you have: Health maintenance organizations – HMOs are typically the least expensive…
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Sep
06
2019

Employees Satisfied with Plans, but Health Plan Costs a Burden

by CoreMark | posted in Blog, Newsletter

While health insurance premiums aren’t going up as much as they have in past years, both employers and their workers are still struggling with higher health care costs. Whether it’s higher deductibles or out of pocket maximums, health plan costs continue to be a financial burden on American families. According to the “2018 Health and Voluntary Workplace Benefits Survey,” published by the Employee Benefit Research Institute together with Greenwald & Associates, roughly half of all workers experienced an out-of-pocket cost increase in their workplace health insurance plans. That’s roughly the same percentage as in 2017, but lower than the 61%…
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Aug
06
2019

California’s Laws on Cell Phone Use While Driving Explained

by CoreMark | posted in Blog, Newsletter

By now, most of us are aware there can be dangerous consequences to using a cellphone while driving. But, many are unfamiliar with the actual laws on cell phone use while driving. These regulations can vary from state to state, so it’s important to do your research in each state you plan to visit or do business in. California has some of the strictest laws on cell phone use while driving, so we wanted to dive deeper and look at the fine print in these regulations. To ensure your staff knows the law, we are sharing these frequently asked questions…
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Aug
06
2019

Executive Order on Healthcare: New Directives Order Price Transparency, FSA Changes

by CoreMark | posted in Blog, Newsletter

President Trump has issued a multi-faceted executive order on healthcare aimed at reducing costs and increasing pricing transparency in the healthcare system and health insurance industry. The parts of his order that could affect benefits that are part of employer-sponsored plans include: Helping people with chronic conditions The order directs the Treasury Department to issue guidance that can help people with chronic conditions who are enrolled in high-deductible health plans (HDHPs) with attached health savings accounts. The guidance, which was issued in July, requires HDHP insurers to pay for a number of preventative services and medications with no copay or…
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Aug
06
2019

Why a Corporate Liability Shield Is Not a Replacement for Liability Insurance

by CoreMark | posted in Blog, Newsletter

Business owners who form a corporation or a limited liability company (LLC) may question the need for the business to carry insurance given the corporate liability shield. A major benefit of these forms of business organization is that they shield the owners’ personal assets. Because of this, they may believe insurance is unnecessary but it still leaves the owners vulnerable for potential losses. A corporation is a legal entity separate from its owners. It acts as an artificial legal person. It can do the things that individuals may do, such as: Enter into contracts Incur debts Earn income Make investments…
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Aug
06
2019

That Texting-While-Driving Ticket Will Likely Increase Your Premium

by CoreMark | posted in Blog, Newsletter

One of the main reasons that car insurance rates are going up is the increase in distracted driving, which has led to a significant jump in vehicular deaths and accidents in the last five years. Despite most states in the country now having laws barring the use of your phone for talking or other tasks such as messaging or taking pictures, accidents from distracted driving continue mounting. So, what if you are one of the ones who gets a ticket for distracted driving? Be prepared for a significant increase in your insurance, according to the “2019 Distracted Driving Report” by The…
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Jul
10
2019

Making Your Voluntary Benefits Program a Success

by CoreMark | posted in Blog, Newsletter

Both employers and employees have much to gain from a solid voluntary benefits program. For employees, being able to enroll in an insurance product through a workplace voluntary benefits program offers them the advantage of group pricing, the convenience of paying through payroll deduction, and perhaps access to insurance that would be difficult to get on an individual basis. For employers, offering a range of voluntary insurance products can help increase employee satisfaction – along with loyalty and morale – and make the business more competitive in attracting and retaining the best talent. These advantages alone, however, do not ensure…
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Jul
10
2019

Legal Traps to Avoid When Dealing with FMLA Requests

by CoreMark | posted in Blog, Newsletter

If you are a business owner who is confused about navigating the various rules and timelines within the federal Family and Medical Leave Act, you certainly aren’t alone. The law has plenty of caveats and it’s important that you pay attention to all of the details and nuances of the law so you don’t go astray. Here’s a handy list of mistakes to avoid. Top FMLA Mistakes Firing It would be a bad idea to fire an employee if they’re unable to return to work following the end of FMLA leave that is due to their serious health condition. Better to…
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