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Explaining Employers Liability Exclusion

Even when you follow all the necessary safety guidelines and precautions, accidents and worker injuries can happen on a construction jobsite. And when you have numerous sub-contractors involved, who is held liable for paying worker injury claims can get complicated quickly. This article details how the Employers’ Liability exclusion works in a Commercial General Liability policy through a hypothetical claims scenario and why its important to thoroughly review and understand this wording, especially when changes are proposed. Employee Injuries – Who Pays? Employee Injuries and Exclusive Remedy. When employees are injured arising out of and in the course of employment, that… Read More »Explaining Employers Liability Exclusion

Lowering the Risk of Sexual Harassment in Your Organization

UPDATE 08/30/2022: As of today we offer abuse and molestation coverage to all professions and services. Follow the link and answer only 2 questions to receive your accurate premium indication: Get Instant Abuse Insurance Indication Now

Lowering the Risk of Sexual Harassment in Your OrganizationAllegations of sexual harassment have made headlines across virtually all areas of society: churches, entertainment, politics, businesses, non-profits, sports, and education. In October 2017, the #metoo hashtag was used by more than 4.7 million people on Facebook during the first 24 hours to disclose stories of harassment and abuse. Time magazine even named “The Silence Breakers” as its 2017 Person of the Year, recognizing those who came forward with their stories to help spark a nationwide movement to break the silence. The movement has resulted in countless executives being fired, public figures disgraced, and even criminal charges.

While the details of the sexual harassment allegations being brought to light may vary, the extent of sexual harassment in the workplace is significant. In a November 2017 poll by Quinnipiac University, 60% of women reported they had experienced sexual harassment, with 69% of those incidents taking place at work. Men have also been victims, with 17% of sexual harassment claims filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) coming from men.

Four Steps to Reduce Risk
How can an organization lower the risk of sexual harassment in their workplace? PHLY recommends taking the following steps:Read More »Lowering the Risk of Sexual Harassment in Your Organization

How to Conduct Reference Check Before Hiring New Employee

Before you sign a contract with a third-party logistics provider or even with a new cleaning service, you probably ask for some case studies, read reviews online, or at least check their BBB rating. Even when choosing a lunch spot for that important meeting with your soon-to-be big account, you would tap Yelp to see how many stars it has and read a review or two. Same approach is needed to reference check before hiring anew employee.

Any time you hire a new employee, you gain an opportunity and a risk. They could end up being your best team member, making a huge difference at your company… or they could be a bad hire that costs you time, money, and morale. Before you take the leap and extend an offer, asking the right reference check questions can help you make an educated decision. Follow this formula:

 

[process_steps type=”horizontal” size=”small” number=”5″] [process_step title=”get context” icon=”address-book”] [/process_step] [process_step title=”verify facts” icon=”drivers-license”] [/process_step] [process_step title=”give context” icon=”newspaper-o”] [/process_step] [process_step title=”uncover red flags” icon=”flag” icon_color=”#ff003f”] [/process_step] [process_step title=”assess fit” icon=”universal-access”] [/process_step] [/process_steps]

Gain Context and Verify Facts: Questions to Ask References First

Let’s say you’re about to hire Jane, but you’re wise and decide to call her references before extending an offer. After exchanging greetings with the reference and explaining why you’re calling, start with the following introductory questions to gain valuable context:

  • How do you know Jane?
  • In what capacity did you work with Jane?
  • How long did you work with Jane?

These questions should help you determine how heavily to weigh each reference’s answers in your hiring decision. Once you understand the person’s relationship to Jane, you can decide whether it makes sense to ask them to verify these important facts: dates of employment, job title(s), responsibilities, why Jane left (if applicable), and if Jane is eligible for rehire at that employer.

The aim here is to ensure that Jane has been truthful, but don’t just stop there. Head to the next section to uncover whether her references’ perceptions of Jane line up with her own ideas about her performance, strengths, and weaknesses.

[icon style=”lightbulb” color=”yellow”]Pro Tip: [/icon] Depending on the circumstances, and the reference’s relationship to your candidate, they may not have all the answers you need. If none of your candidate’s references can verify facts such as tenure and job responsibilities, you can usually call past employers’ main lines or HR departments to do so.

Assess Aptitude, Skills, and Fit: Five Types of Reference Check Questions

You can make a more informed hiring decision by asking the five types of reference check questions below. Insights from people who have worked with Jane can help you decide whether to hire her, better understand how to manage her, and plan for her first months on the job. Listen not only for red flags, but also for valuable nuggets on how to play to her strengths and plan for her weaknesses.

1. Offer Context (question 1)

Before you jump in, give the person some context about what you’re looking for by asking them the following question. This will set them up to answer the rest of your questions with a full understanding of what you need:

  • I’m considering Jane for [job title]. She’d be responsible for [responsibilities]. Do you think she could perform well in this role, and why or why not?

Read More »How to Conduct Reference Check Before Hiring New Employee

Is Your Website Compliant with ADA

In 1990, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was signed into law to give disabled people the same access to American life as those without disabilities.  The Act is intended to give equal access to all Americans to all public spaces.  The law was initially thought of as only applying to brick and mortar locations and couldn’t address access to the Internet since the Internet wasn’t fully commercialized until 1995.  However, in response to a landmark case in Florida (Gil v. Winn Dixie), the court declared that Title III requirements of the law apply if the website is ‘heavily integrated’… Read More »Is Your Website Compliant with ADA

Museums and Cultural Institutions: Unique exposures

Goudi Building Museum

Your priceless collections and exhibits are what pull visitors through your doors. But keeping those visitors safe – as well as your employees, volunteers, building and reputation – is what keeps those doors open. Travelers has years of experience working with museums and cultural institutions. We understand your industry. We can help you with your insurance needs – from protecting your fine art collections, to covering your property risks to providing general liability coverage to workers compensation.

Fine art expertise

We offer Museums and Cultural Institutions customized product and service offerings. Our Inland Marine division is a Fine Art market leader that provides flexible solutions for your unique needs:

  • Local underwriting presence with fine art expertise
  • Broad, worldwide coverage at current market value
  • Coverage for exhibitions, loans and items while in transit
  • High capacity for high-value collections
  • On-site risk control consultations to help enhance facility and collection management
  • Dedicated fine art claim team committed to proper claim handling for unique valuable objects
  • Access to our Special Investigations Group who focuses on theft prevention and recovery of stolen property
One company for property exposures

Read More »Museums and Cultural Institutions: Unique exposures

Preparing your business for potential holiday hazards

prepare businessMenorahs and Christmas trees light up Main Streets across America during the holidays, but there are risks associated with these decorations. Risk management professionals and insurance agents can help business owners understand how to keep their stores festive yet hazard free during the holidays.

The holidays usually bring several things to a small business – more foot traffic, celebratory decorations and additional staff to help with boosted sales.  However, with added customers and distractions, slips and trips are never far away. So when getting into the holiday spirit, you should make safety a priority.Read More »Preparing your business for potential holiday hazards

International Advantage Natural Disaster Enhancement

When working in the real world, businesses can face real world problems.
A U.S.-based church group was stranded in a Haiti crisis zone. Our service provider sent a security detail to escort the group to the Dominican Republic, where they were repatriated safely to the U.S. within 24 hours of the call.

How can we help?
Our international package policy can provide executive assistance services with an optional Natural Disaster Relocation and Repatriation coverage enhancement to assist your employees in their time of need.

Read More »International Advantage Natural Disaster Enhancement

Coverage options for your barber and beauty business

Beauty Salon Parlor InsuranceCoverage for barber and beauticians professional liability is automatically included for your “employees” under the commercial general liability coverage form. We have the ability to provide professional liability coverage for barbers and beauticians that are independent contractors – this optional coverage is available for $25 per independent operator under the Additional Insured-Independent Operators form -CG T567 (11-03).

The form does require each operator be scheduled. For additional information, contact us via email or call 877-239-0067

Read More »Coverage options for your barber and beauty business

Private Choice Ovation – Comprehensive Insurance Protection

Today’s complex economic, regulatory and legal climate leaves little margin for error in running a business. Do you have the necessary comprehensive insurance protection needed to defend against all of the exposures you can face running a business in this environment? Paperless Insurance Services in partnership with A+ rated Hartford Insurance Company is excited to introduce Private Choice OvationSM (Ovation), a new and enhanced management liability coverage offering from The Hartford. Designed to help protect businesses from unforeseen loss, Ovation offers an exclusive suite of products with customizable coverage parts and limits to meet your client’s specific business needs. These coverages can help… Read More »Private Choice Ovation – Comprehensive Insurance Protection

Insurance for Alcohol and Drug Treatment Centers

Alcohol & Drug Rehabilitation facilities provide medical assistance and behavioral and nutritional counseling to individuals who are in need of substance abuse services. Eligible risks may include Outpatient Alcohol & Drug Counseling, Rehabilitation Centers, Halfway Houses Inpatient, Methadone, Early Release Prisoner Programs (Alcohol & Drug related offenses only) and Outpatient Detox. Clinics may also be included as an eligible class when the clinic is only a part of the facility’s overall services. Our program includes a Package, General & Professional Liability, Property, Umbrella, Auto (some restrictions may apply) and Abuse & Molestation. Our pro- gram also offers Coverage Endorsements &… Read More »Insurance for Alcohol and Drug Treatment Centers