Month: March 2020

Many employers that sponsor group health plans have portions of their employee population that are not eligible for the group health plan, typically because they are part-time employees. Employers sometimes wish to give these part-time employees something to assist them with their health care needs... Find out more »

This alert was updated on 04/10/20.  As much of the country is locked-down due to coronavirus 19 (COVID-19), employers have concerns regarding their employee benefit programs. This may stem from a reduction in hours and, unfortunately, from terminating, furloughing, or laying-off employees... Find out more »

A commonly asked question in response to the COVID-19 pandemic is, how can we encourage our employees who are working remotely to stay physically AND mentally well while at home? Many companies are currently offering free access to their wellbeing apps and content during the COVID-19 outbreak.... Find out more »

States and the federal government have issued (or re-issued) guidance for employers in response to the recent novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. As of March 14, 2020, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported more than 2,000 cases from 49 states and... Find out more »

Saturday night, the House of Representatives passed the “Families First Coronavirus Response Act.” The Bill still needs to pass the Senate and then be signed by President Trump, so plenty of unknowns and possible changes could occur to the Bill including it not being passed at... Find out more »

While employers (and individuals) should always hope for the best, it is always a good idea to plan for the worst. In this alert, your Alera Group, Inc. (“Alera”) team is providing general guidance to its clients and friends, including advice focused on their employees and a review of... Find out more »

As telecommuting continues to gain popularity with it comes a new set of compliance challenges for businesses. Telecommuting occurs when employees do some or all of their work away from the company’s main office. Computers, laptops and cell phones, and the availability of high-speed... Find out more »

With growing concern about the spread of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in the United States, carriers and states are working to ensure Americans have access to appropriate healthcare in the event they become ill. Some carriers are taking proactive steps that include: Waiving co-pays for... Find out more »

As Property & Casualty rates rise, and new exposures to loss increase (such as cyber risk, directors and officer liability, and wage and hour liabilities), insurance may more frequently be on your mind. You may have heard that captives are a viable alternative to save money and possibly... Find out more »

Background checks allow employers to get a clearer picture of an applicant’s job and personal history. So, what happens if you find out that the applicant has a criminal background or has been convicted of drug use? Denying an applicant a job based on what you discover during a background... Find out more »