Superstorm Sandy was a catastrophic event by any measure. The damage inflicted on New York City and the surrounding coastal communities was unprecedented. Insured losses are estimated to total between $20 billion and $25 billion. The impact of the storm was tragic but also serves as a reminder for both insurance coverage issues and emergency […]
MetLife, the well-known insurance and financial services company, has released its Tenth Annual Survey of Employee Benefits Trends. The survey, conducted in the fall of 2011, included the results of 1,519 interviews with benefits decision makers at companies with staff sizes of at least two employees, as well as 1,412 interviews with full-time adult employees […]
The Boston Debate League was created in 2005 to help improve students’ academic achievement. The league offers a host of after-school, weekend, and summer programs to help Boston students become advocates and intellectuals. Competitive academic debate offers a powerful means of engaging students in their own education and reversing negative trends. Debaters come from across […]
The zombie apocalypse is upon us. It’s real, and according to recent studies it costs employers billions. But the zombies aren’t taking the form of the undead rising from the grave in a quest to consume the living. Instead, they take the form of exhausted, sick, injured, or demoralized employees showing up to work yet […]
The Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division has issued a final rule to implement Executive Order 13495, Nondisplacement of Qualified Workers Under Service Contracts. This final rule will be effective once the Federal Acquisition Regulatory Council (FARC) issues regulations for the inclusion of the nondisplacement contract clause in covered federal solicitations and contracts, as […]
If you’re changing employers, one of the many transitions you’ll face is what to do with the money you’ve accumulated in your 401(k). Making the right choice can keep you on track for a financially secure retirement, but making the wrong choice can wind up costing you plenty. Let’s take a look at your options. […]
As individuals and families look to preserve their assets against the uncertainty of tomorrow, the formation of a living trust is a viable estate-planning technique. It is not uncommon for a home and other major assets such as bank accounts, investments, and sometimes automobiles, to be transferred to a trust for that purpose. Although attorneys […]
You don’t hear about government entities using stimulus funds on uncompleted public works projects despite numerous contractor failures during the recent economic downturn. Why is this? Public works projects have a third-party guarantee that ensures that projects are completed and that all bills to subcontractors and suppliers are paid. This guaranty is offered by a […]
Automated external defibrillators (AEDs) significantly improve survival rates for sudden cardiac arrest victims. AEDs are easy to use and inexpensive, with the cost for a unit starting around $1,200. They are an important consideration to protect your employees and your customers. Commercial properties, health clubs, restaurants, and retail establishments are especially likely to see sudden […]
The Commissioner of Insurance disapproved the Massachusetts Workers Compensation Rating and Inspection Bureau rate increase filing scheduled for September 1st. The obvious good news is that rates are not going up on September 1st. Conversely, the bad news is that this is not necessarily a good thing for everyone! Workers Compensation rates over the past […]