Tag: health

Oct
10
2017

Employee Assistance Programs in Times of Need

by CoreMark Insurance Services | posted in Blog

Natural disasters, such as hurricanes and earthquakes, cause extensive property damage, physical injuries and loss of life. The distress might not end there, however. Mental health experts say that many victims of disasters experience post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and anxiety in the months following these events. The loss of loved ones, jobs, material goods and livelihoods are all traumatic experiences for victims, according to one Red Cross official. Employers helping their workers cope with experiencing a disaster will generally find that having an employee assistance program (EAP) in place is invaluable. An EAP is an intervention program designed to help…
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Aug
18
2015

Bureau Recommends 12.2% Rate Cut for 2016

by Cerrina Jensen | posted in Blog

California’s workers’ compensation statistical agency will recommend that benchmark rates be reduced by an average of 12.2% for policies incepting at the start of next year. The rate filing is actually for a 0.8% reduction, but that comes after benchmark rates were cut 10.2% on July 1, so that’s why the average rate reduction for January policies is higher. The Workers’ Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau will file the recommendation with the state insurance commissioner, who has the final word on rates in California. He can either choose to approve or reject the rate, and if he does the latter he…
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Jul
15
2015

Same-sex Marriage Ruling and Your Employee Benefits

by Cerrina Jensen | posted in Blog, Newsletter

In June, the Supreme Court ruled that same-sex marriages are valid and should be performed throughout the United States. While the ruling in the case of Obergefell vs.Hodges is about personal liberties, it also will have an effect on employers’ employee benefit plans – and you need to know how to respond. First, in its ruling the court did not touch on sexual orientation discrimination in the workplace. As a result, the decision does not require employers to treat the same-sex spouses of their employees the same as opposite-sex spouses with respect to the provision of health and welfare benefits….
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Jul
04
2015

Why workers’ comp claims spike in the summer months

by Cerrina Jensen | posted in Blog, Newsletter

Workplace injury rates rise during the summer months. When summer rolls around, companies in many sectors, including agriculture and construction, significantly increase production. Increased road construction raises risks for workers and drivers. Many of the newly hired workers are young and inexperienced, creating a high potential for workplace injuries. Toiling in the sun is also a leading cause of weather-related injuries, including heat stroke, heat cramps and heat exhaustion. Heat illnesses occur when the body overheats to the point it cannot cool off, even with profuse sweating. Young workers Too often, young workers enter the workforce with little or no…
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