Small Business Insurance Advice - BHI Insurance Agency

Jan 30

Maryland Passes Paid-Sick-Leave Law

By Maria Clyde Business Insurance, HR Services

Maryland’s New Sick and Safe Leave Law under the Healthy Working Families Act

Effective February 11, 2018, Maryland employers must provide sick and safe leave to their employees, as state legislators recently voted to override Gov. Larry Hogan’s veto of the Healthy Working Families Act. With some exceptions, businesses in the state with 15 or more employees will have to provide up to 40 hours of paid sick leave to workers each year, and those with fewer employees must provide the same amount of time as unpaid leave. The leave may be used to care for the employee’s own or a family member’s mental or physical illness or injury, parental leave, or issues related to domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking.

Jan 30

Post Your OSHA Injury Summary by Feb. 1

By Maria Clyde Business Insurance, Safety Services

Reminder: Employers Must Post Injury/Illness Summary Beginning February 1

Posting Requirement

OSHA reminds employers of their obligation to post a copy of OSHA’s Form 300A, which summarizes job-related injuries and illnesses logged during 2017. Each year, between February 1 and April 30, the summary must be displayed in a common area where notices to employees are usually posted. Businesses with 10 or fewer employees and those in certain low-hazard industries are exempt from OSHA recordkeeping and posting requirements. Visit OSHA’s Recordkeeping Rule webpage for more information on recordkeeping requirements. Read More

Jan 11

Benefits of Crime Insurance

By Maria Clyde Business Insurance

If you are a leader within your organization, you want to trust your employees and the people you do business with. However, no business is immune to the threat of crime and fraud. The Association of Certified Fraud Examiners estimates that a business can expect to lose 5% of its revenue to fraud each year. Thankfully, companies can turn to crime insurance, which can provide the following benefits:

Dec 21

OSHA Accepting Electronically Submitted Injury, Illness Reports

By Maria Clyde Personal Insurance

U.S. Labor Department’s OSHA Accepting Electronically Submitted Injury, Illness Reports Through December 31

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) will continue accepting 2016 OSHA Form 300A data through the Injury Tracking Application (ITA) until midnight on December 31, 2017. OSHA will not take enforcement action against those employers who submit their reports after the December 15, 2017, deadline but before December 31, 2017, final entry date. Starting January 1, 2018, the ITA will no longer accept the 2016 data. Read More

Dec 12

Preventing Sprains and Strains

By Maria Clyde Business Insurance, Safety Services

Common Workplace Injuries

Sprains, strains and tears to muscles and connective tissues are some of the most common injuries workers experience. Sprains and strains can result from lifting injuries, being hit by falling objects or even a simple misstep. Overusing your muscles can also cause these injuries. Read More

Oct 09

Employment Practice Liability Insurance

By BH Insurance Business Insurance

Confidently Hire New Employees

As a business owner, you strive to hire qualified employees to work for you. Unfortunately, as you are well aware, not every hiring decision goes as planned. Even if an employee is terminated for legitimate reasons— such as poor attendance or unsatisfactory work habits—every termination opens the door for potential lawsuits. Read on to learn from one business owner’s experience and find out how employment practice liability insurance (EPLI) can help protect you and your organization from costly, frivolous lawsuits. Read More

Sep 09

Top 10 Most Frequently Cited Standards