Best Practices for Private Home Health Care Aides in Senior Living Communities

Denise GillinRisk Management, Senior Living

By David Thurber, J.D. for AssuredPartners In the senior living space, the question of home health care aides being utilized at a care facility is one that is certain to come up. There are many factors to consider when deciding how to go about interacting with this additional service for residents that it can become overwhelming. The paramount question at hand is how best to respond to the resident’s desire for this type of outside help, and yet carefully manage the safety and actual or potential liability of the senior living community for errant third-party care, advice, direction, or behavior. And additionally, the community’s role in integrating the third-party’s information, advice, and direction into their responsibility to provide care and …

Vaccine Mandate Update: How the Latest Legal Rulings Could Influence EPLI Coverage

Denise GillinBusiness Insurance, News, Risk Management

By Courtney DuChene for Risk&Insurance Employers who were preparing to implement vaccine or test requirements might be wondering what they should do to protect their workforce and shield themselves from EPL risk. The U.S. Supreme Court blocked an Occupational Health and Safety Administration’s (OSHA) emergency temporary standard, which would have required employers with 100 employees to either mandate vaccination against the SARS-CoV-2 virus or to test workers weekly. Click to learn if employers can mandate a vaccination>>>

When Traditional Insurance Doesn’t Fit: Captive Structures

Denise GillinAlternative Risk, Risk Management

By AP Captives for AssuredPartners AssuredPartners Captives experts know that sometimes traditional insurance isn’t the best option, but what is the alternative? Throw out the “cookie cutter” model and consider a captive as an alternative risk transfer technique to provide protection outside of the conventional insurance model. Captives can result in greater control and greater return on investment if, and only if, they are entered into for the right reasons, managed prudently and by professionals committed to long-term success. Simply stated, captives are member-owned insurance companies that operate for the members’ benefit. To be eligible for this type of alternative risk option, companies must meet stringent financial and safety qualifications. Click to read Captive Considerations>>>

The Big Quit: Why Mid-Sized Company Leaders are Concerned with the Ballooning Talent Shortage

Denise GillinNews, Risk Management, Workers' Compensation

By Lucas Prahl for Risk&Insurance The Great Resignation, also known as The Big Quit, is one of 2021’s greatest challenges for companies of all sizes. In September 2021 alone, 4.4 million employees quit their jobs, up from 3.3 million in September 2020, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. In the hot labor market, employees are leaving for better jobs or bowing out of the workforce for a variety of factors, many related to the pandemic. This trend is especially troubling for mid-sized company leaders, a group that a new survey from QBE revealed already had a lot to worry about when it comes to their employees. Tell me more>>>

Not Your Average Bond

Denise GillinBonds, Risk Management

By Lynne W. Cook for AssuredPartners Ironically, there are thousands of surety bonds, but most people are unfamiliar with this three-party agreement that is designed to guarantee a principal’s (the #1 party, which is likely you or your business) integrity, honesty, performance, and financial responsibility, as well as compliance with a law or contract. So, who are the other two parties involved in this three-party agreement and what is it that requires I get a bond? Here are a few of the more common situations that use commercial surety bonds to lessen the risk of loss to the obligee (the #2 party, who is requiring the bond) by the third-party guarantor (the # 3 party, which is a corporate surety …

Addressing the Ag Industry’s Supply Chain Challenges

Denise GillinAgribusiness, News, Risk Management

By Gina Ekstam for AssuredPartners Weather, geopolitics, structural issues, consumer demand, and labor shortages represent just some of the many issues working together to compound the global supply chain problem for the ag industry. This confluence of factors has made it difficult to move product, contributing to supply chain inflation and concerns about food security. Supply chain problems are likely to stick around for the foreseeable future and addressing them will take time. To protect your agribusiness, you must understand what makes your operation vulnerable and look for opportunities to do things differently. Click here for resilience-building measures>>>

Holiday Decorating Safety Tips

Denise GillinRisk Management

By Reginald Shubert, Senior Risk Control Consultant, Murray The Holiday season is upon us, and it’s a great time for parties with family, friends, and coworkers.  As the song goes, it’s time to “deck those halls and trim those trees,” but, you don’t have to be Clark Griswald and overdo your holiday decorations. Not only can it be a little tacky, it can also lead to an unsafe environment in your home or office. Seasonal decorations, including lights, trees, and wreaths can help put your home or office in the holiday spirit. However, when not displayed properly, decorations can create safety hazards or cause fires.  According to the National Fire Protection Association, electrical distribution or lighting equipment was involved in 43% of …

The Supply Chain Crisis’ Latest Woe

Denise GillinNews, Risk Management, Transportation

By Dani Romero for Yahoo!finance With a number of cargo containers bottlenecked at California’s ports, another problem has ensnared the companies trying to ship goods, and the customers and shops waiting for those supplies. Theft. The worsening supply chain troubles are making stolen shipments an increasingly common problem that’s affecting shoppers, already facing long delays and soaring prices. Cargo that finally makes its way out of backlogged ports on the West Coast is being aggressively targeted by criminals eyeing containers filled with electronics amid the chip shortage. What are the implications>>>

Mandates and Old Man Winter

Denise GillinBusiness Insurance, Risk Management, Transportation

By Kevin Rettberg for AssuredPartners The weather is turning, and with it the conditions on the roads will be changing. The incoming winter weather is set to turn the peace and quiet of the tranquil summer, sun-filled roads into a wintry mix of ice and snow in many areas of the country. The idea of what winter brings is nothing new, but somehow this winter feels a little unlike anything we have every experienced. Our weather is a microcosm of what is happening in the US right now: a calm before a storm. However, while we know exactly what weather brings us, there is an upcoming vaccine mandate that is causing a concern from the unknowns that it causes many …

Improve Operational Health, Maximize Flexibility to Mitigate Drought Risk

Denise GillinAgribusiness, Insurance, News, Risk Management

By Gina Ekstam for AssuredPartners According to NOAA, the average global surface temperature was the sixth highest for August 2021 since global records began in 1880. Further, the U.S. Drought Monitor reports that over 46% of the contiguous U.S. experienced moderate to exceptional drought in August. These extreme weather conditions are impacting ag operations across the country. Decreased water availability leads to production losses, increased pests and diseases, and lower livestock productivity. Matt Carstens, president and CEO of Landus in Ames, Iowa, adds, “drought conditions affect weed and fungi control, changes the products that are stored, and impacts the health of livestock. Operationally, severe weather events can lead to supply chain and infrastructure disruption. For example, a lack of corn …