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Insurance

No unemployment for substitute teachers who turn down equivalent positions

09/01/2007

Employees who work for educational institutions on a temporary basis from semester to semester—substitute teachers, for example—may be eligible for unemployment compensation if they are offered a substantially different position (with lower pay) the next term. But if the new assignment is essentially the same as the previous assignment, they can’t refuse the offer and receive unemployment compensation …

State looking to end-Run ERISA on health care

09/01/2007

The state of Pennsylvania is looking for a way to force employers to pay their share of health care costs without running afoul of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) …

Don’t like bad press? Don’t take up government work

09/01/2007

Joseph Rosenfeld, a former community affairs assistant to the mayor of Allentown, lost a workers’ compensation claim for psychological damage he said he suffered because of bad press over his job performance. Rosenfeld was the subject of some 30 newspaper articles in 1996 alleging he had used his political clout to stop the relocation of a bus terminal to financially benefit his family …

Unpaid intern not eligible for workers’ compensation benefits

08/01/2007

Employees who are hurt on the job are entitled to workers’ compensation benefits, and so are some volunteers. But unpaid interns don’t meet either definition …

Florida high court sides with employees—Employers liable for unconcealed negligence

08/01/2007

The Florida Supreme Court has upheld an employee’s right to sue his or her employer directly for intentional torts even when the same employee receives workers’ comp for the injury …

Temporary staffing agencies benefit from turning over control

08/01/2007

Workers’ compensation benefits are the exclusive remedy for employees hurt on the job … unless a third party causes their injuries …

Employee or independent contractor? For workers’ comp, commission is last word

08/01/2007

Independent contractors aren’t eligible for workers’ compensation benefits paid by their contractor’s insurer, but employees are …

Insurance carrier claims it didn’t understand policy

08/01/2007

Farmers Automobile Insurance Association (FAIA) failed to pay overtime to its claims adjusters in violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and the Illinois Minimum Wage Act …

State treasurer offers health benefits to same-Sex partners

08/01/2007

State Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias has extended same-sex health benefits to treasurer’s office employees …

Health insurance maintained during FMLA leave

08/01/2007

Q. We have an employee who is out on an FMLA leave of absence. Our company provides health insurance for its employees and their families, and employees pay 20% of the premium. Our employee has not paid his share of the premium. Should we cancel his health insurance? We are very nervous about doing so because the employee has a very serious health condition. — J.B.