Blog
Ridgemark Insurance Services
Careful Handling of Construction Materials Saves Lives and Money
Material handling accidents account for thousands of injuries and a number of deaths each year on construction sites. They are one of the top injuries in the construction trade and can result in serious injuries and death depending on the material, the weight of the...
Think Twice Before Scanning That QR Code
QR codes — short for Quick Response codes — are everywhere these days, on the tables at restaurants, on posters, print and electronic advertising, and even during TV programming and commercials. By training your smartphone camera on one, you’ll get a prompt to click...
New Guidance: Workers Can Take FMLA Leave in Hourly Increments
The U.S. Department of Labor recently issued new guidance on the federal Family Medical Leave Act that has upended the notion of what qualifies as leave under the statute. Its Wage and Hour Division in February issued a guidance letter noting that employees with a...
FAIR Plan More Than Doubles Its Commercial Property Coverage Limits
With more and more California businesses being forced to go to the California FAIR Plan for their coverage, the market of last resort has moved to increase its commercial property coverage limits significantly. This should bring a semblance of relief to companies...
Employment Liability Threat Grows; What to Watch Out for
One of the biggest lawsuit threats U.S. businesses face is from their own employees. Any company with staff — be that one or 500 — can be sued, and even if the case never goes to court, it can create a significant burden for your business. While most cases are settled...
You May Need to Rewrite Your Severance Agreements after NLRB Ruling
The National Labor Relations Board has taken a big step in deciding that non-disparagement and confidentiality clauses in employee severance agreements are illegal, a move that will require most employers to rewrite theirs. The board ruled that these provisions stifle...
More Big Rigs Phased Out as More Regulations Loom
Starting Jan. 1 of this year, heavy duty diesel trucks and buses built prior to 2010 and weighing more than 14,000 pounds are banned from operating in California. The new rule is part of phased-in California Air Resources Board regulations that aim to reduce emissions...
Law Barring Mandatory Arbitration Agreements for Employees Shot Down
A U.S. court of appeals has struck down a landmark California law that prohibits employers from requiring their workers to sign agreements to arbitrate any disputes arising from their employment. The ruling clears the way for employers to continue using arbitration...
Digital License Plates Create Privacy Headache for Employers
A new state law that allows for digital license plates to be installed on vehicles in California, may have created a privacy nightmare for employers. The Motor Vehicle Digital Number Plates Act, which took effect Jan. 1, enables fleet and commercial vehicle owners to...
Inventory of All Connected Assets Can Thwart Cyber Attacks
As businesses use more and more devices in their operations, their vulnerability to cyber attacks increases exponentially. Some employees may have a work smartphone, a laptop for the road and a desktop unit for when they work in the office. And there may be other...