News
The latest insurance articles, insight, and news from Ollis/Akers/Arney Insurance & Business Advisors.
Website Accessibility Lawsuits on the Rise
July 11, 2022
Website accessibility laws have evolved over the past decade, inundating courts with lawsuits filed by individuals with disabilities—typically those with sight or hearing impairments—claiming that businesses’ websites are not accessible to them. While Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act does not mention websites or mobile apps, many lawsuits are based on the requirement…
Read MoreProposed Overtime Rule Expected in October 2022
July 9, 2022
In its recent spring regulatory agenda, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) announced its plans to issue a proposed overtime rule in October 2022. According to the agency’s regulatory agenda, this proposed rule is expected to address how to implement the exemption of executive, administrative and professional employees from the Fair Labor Standards Act’s (FLSA)…
Read MoreCyber Hygiene Best Practices [Infographic]
July 6, 2022
As cyberattacks become more frequent and severe, it’s increasingly important for organizations to practice good cyber hygiene—habitual practices ensuring critical data and connected devices are handled safely—to minimize their exposure to risk. Some consequences of poor cyber hygiene include: Security breachesData lossSoftware vulnerabilitiesAntivirus weaknesses The following are essential parts of cyber hygiene: Passwords—Users should create…
Read MoreEmployers See Increasing Numbers of Lawsuits Over Deficient COBRA Notices
July 5, 2022
Employers are seeing an increase in lawsuits from former employees alleging deficient Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) election notices, with statutory penalties of up $110 per person per day. These lawsuits are generally class actions and can result in significant attorneys’ fee awards for successful ex-employees. The fact employers are struggling to comply with…
Read More7 Tips for Keeping Young Employees Safe
June 23, 2022
The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) recently reminded employers hiring youth-aged workers to review workplace practices and comply with federal child labor laws to ensure these hires have a safe and beneficial experience. In 2021, the DOL indicated workplace injuries and illnesses among youth-aged employees—those who are under 18 years old—have been rising since 2017.…
Read MoreWhat Employers Should Know About On-demand Pay
May 17, 2022
The traditional weekly or biweekly concept of “payday” is engrained in many workplaces. However, some employers are exploring ways to pay their workers faster, especially those in industries that provide hourly wages or have high turnover rates. As Americans face rising costs for everyday essentials, health care and other emergencies, on-demand pay—also known as earned…
Read MoreHR’s Role in Preventing Cyberattacks
May 1, 2022
Cyberattacks are a growing concern for employers across the globe but especially for those in the United States. According to the Identity Theft Resource Center, the number of reported U.S. data breaches rose 68% between 2020 and 2021, increasing to a record-setting 1,862 incidents. Of these breaches, 83% involved sensitive information, such as Social Security…
Read MoreRemote Work: Creating a Psychologically Safe Work Environment
April 24, 2022
Psychologically safe employees feel confident sharing ideas, asking questions, being themselves and even challenging the status quo—without the fear of being punished or humiliated. Remote work can put company culture and team trust to the test. However, the concept of psychological safety can still be achieved regardless of team or workplace location. According to research,…
Read MoreDOJ Guidance on the ADA and Web Accessibility for Businesses and State and Local Governments
April 12, 2022
On March 18, 2022, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) issued guidance on how public and private entities can ensure that their websites are accessible to individuals with disabilities, as required under Titles II and III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Title II of the ADA applies to state and local governments, while…
Read MoreWage & Hour Case Studies: Exploring DOL Violation Trends
March 24, 2022
Introduction The U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) Wage and Hour Division (WHD) enforces federal minimum wage, overtime pay, recordkeeping and child labor requirements of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). The WHD also enforces the Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act, the Employee Polygraph Protection Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), wage…
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