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Insurance

Mayors’ forecast: Ohio to see large job losses in 2009

02/12/2009

According to a forecast by the U.S. Conference of Mayors, Ohio’s major cities will experience heavy job losses this year: Cleveland, with a current workforce of 1.06 million jobs, will lose 22,200 jobs. Cincinnati (1.04 million workforce) will lose 20,500 jobs. Columbus (948,000 workforce) will lose 7,700 jobs.

Remind employees: Honesty required when applying for health insurance benefits

02/12/2009

Remind employees that they must be honest when filling out insurance sign-up forms. Otherwise, they—and your company—may be sued later to recover the medical costs associated with undisclosed pre-existing conditions. That could cost everyone far more than the premiums saved by not disclosing medical conditions.

Workers’ comp premium savings on tap for some employers

02/12/2009

Some employers may end up saving about 30% on their workers’ compensation premiums under a plan outlined recently by the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation.

At what point does retired worker become ineligible for PTD workers’ comp?

02/12/2009

Q. If an injured worker has a catastrophic injury under Florida’s Workers’ Compensation Act and subsequently retires, does that mean the employee is not entitled to permanent total disability (PTD) workers’ compensation benefits?

Target workers hit with layoffs

02/12/2009

Minneapolis-based Target, the nation’s second largest discount retailer, has announced it will cut 1,000 jobs in Minneapolis alone. Those cuts include 400 open but unfilled positions, in addition to 600 layoffs.

Put best foot forward when responding to EEOC administrative claims

02/12/2009

The EEOC and state and local agencies have been filing more and more administrative charges in recent years. As the recession deepens and more people lose their jobs, that trend is likely to continue. Because administrative charges can be precursors to discrimination lawsuits, it’s critical for you to handle them properly.

FMLA protects workers before they’re eligible

02/12/2009

An Illinois court has ruled that employees who request FMLA leave before they’ve met the eligibility thresholds are protected from retaliation. An employer can’t, for example, fire such an employee because he says he will soon be taking FMLA leave and perhaps undergo expensive medical treatment.

Economic stimulus package targets HR issues

02/03/2009

Amid tens of billions of dollars for roads and bridges, industry bailouts and job creation, the massive economic stimulus legislation passed by the House of Representatives last week would throw significant funding at a variety of HR-related programs and initiatives.

Do we have to defend a third party whose negligence caused our worker’s injury?

02/02/2009

Q. One of our employees was badly injured when he tripped over equipment that had been left by our office building’s maintenance workers. Workers’ comp covered his medical bills and lost wages, but he also sued the building’s owners for negligence. Now we have a letter from the owners demanding that we defend them in the lawsuit and telling us we are responsible. How can that be? I thought we were protected by workers’ comp.

IRS issues ‘grab bag’ guidance on Health Savings Accounts

02/01/2009

The U.S. Treasury Department and the Internal Revenue Service recently issued a notice providing additional guidance on Health Savings Accounts. Some of the rules will have an impact on administering these accounts, so HR professionals with benefits administration responsibilities need to be aware of the key highlights.