News
The latest insurance articles, insight, and news from Ollis/Akers/Arney Insurance & Business Advisors.
8 Tips to Avoid Email Phishing Scams
January 25, 2020
Every day, more than 3 billion phishing emails are sent out worldwide. These emails are tactics used by scammers to trick you into giving up sensitive information about you or your company. This infographic lists eight tips to avoid email phishing scams. (Click image to zoom) Summary Verify sender's email address. Look for spelling errors.…
Read MoreUpdate on the Vaping-related Illness Outbreak
January 21, 2020
On Nov. 8, 2019, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced a breakthrough in their investigation of the outbreak of vaping related illnesses. The investigators stated that vitamin E acetate -an additive in e-cigarette products- was present in all 29 patient lung fluid samples that they tested. What does this mean? Dr. Ann…
Read More5 Employee Wellness Trends to Watch in 2020
January 14, 2020
As we start a new year, how are you feeling? This is an important question to consider since wellness will continue to be a huge factor for companies in 2020. Wellness is a hotly debated topic, but it’s certainly not going anywhere in the coming year. In fact, 76% of employees think their workplace has…
Read MoreLump Sum Nondiscretionary Bonuses Must Be Included in Regular Rate
January 11, 2020
The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has asserted once again that employers must include nondiscretionary bonuses in their employee’s regular wage rate calculations. In a new opinion letter, the DOL outlines how employers may go about allocating lump sum nondiscretionary bonuses that cover more than one workweek. The issue of bonus allocation is important because…
Read MoreIRS Announces 2020 Standard Mileage Rates
January 9, 2020
Overview On Dec. 31. 2019, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) issued the 2020 optional standard mileage rates, which are used to calculate the deductible costs of operating an automobile for business, charitable, medical or moving purposes. The 2020 standard mileage rates for the use of a car (also vans, pickups or panel trucks) will be:…
Read MoreJury Duty Leave Requirements
January 4, 2020
Federal law imposes the following jury duty leave requirements on all employers: Employers are prohibited from discharging, threatening to discharge, intimidating, or coercing any permanent employee because of the employee's jury service in a federal court. Under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), employers cannot make deductions for absence of an exempt employee due to…
Read MoreCyber Security Glossary
January 2, 2020
In today’s day and age of just about everything being stored online, the need for strong cyber security practices and policies has never been greater. Cyber crimes and data breaches cost companies millions of dollars every year, and one slip-up in your security can dramatically impact your business’s future. While cyber security measures are necessary…
Read MoreDOL Updates Regular Rate of Pay Rules
January 1, 2020
On Dec. 12, 2019, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) announced a new final rule clarifying how to calculate an employee’s regular wage rate under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). The regular rate is used to determine an employee’s overtime compensation, and guidelines related to this calculation haven’t been significantly updated in over 60…
Read MoreBenefits of Product Liability Insurance
December 22, 2019
Your customers expect you to have safe and reliable products, and failing to meet these expectations can lead to huge financial losses. If one of your products harms a customer in any way, they can sue your business, leading to costly legal fees and settlements. these costs can easily reach six figures. While you may…
Read MoreDaily Use of This Supplement May Help Lower Heart Disease Risk
December 17, 2019
According to a team from Harvard’s School of Public Health, daily use of omega-3 fish oil supplements may help you bolster your heart health. The team reviewed data from 13 different studies and found that consuming about 840 milligrams of omega-3 fish oil per day was linked to a lower overall risk of dying from…
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