Blog

Youth Employment in Amusement and Recreation Establishments under (FLSA)

The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) requires that most employees be paid at least the applicable Federal minimum wage for all hours worked and overtime pay at time and one-half the regular rate of pay after 40 hours in a workweek. The FLSA also includes child labor and recordkeeping provisions. The FLSA provides an exemption from minimum wage and overtime pay for many seasonal and recreational establishments, but this exemption does not include the child labor or recordkeeping provisions of the… READ MORE

Insurance Immersion: Concord Group Insurance Visit

Last Tuesday, Marcus and I had the opportunity to visit Concord Group Insurance to attend their new agent on-boarding at the Grappone Conference Center in Concord, NH. This event was held by Concord Group as an introductory and informational session for agencies that have only recently offered Concord insurance to clients. While Chalmers is not new distributor of Concord products, we were still invited to attend the event in order learn more about Concord Group Insurance.This on-boarding… READ MORE

The Dangers of Hands-free Devices

It’s commonly believed that hands-free accessories are a safe way to use cellphones while driving. However, more than 30 studies show that they are actually no safer than handheld devices.Though hands-free devices are marketed as a way to keep a driver’s hands on the wheel, they present other dangers. For example, many of these devices require a driver to take his or her eyes off of the road—such as to navigate through an infotainment system or to ensure the accuracy of a… READ MORE

Radon Awareness and Safety

Radon, a colorless and odorless gas, is the leading cause of lung cancer in nonsmokers. Radon comes from the breakdown of uranium in rock, soil and water. From there, it can make its way into any environment or building. However, the largest exposure area is your home, where you likely spend the majority of your time. The EPA estimates that 1 out of every 15 homes has dangerous levels of radon. As a result, the EPA and the Surgeon General both recommend testing all homes below the third… READ MORE

Medical Marijuana and Workers’ Compensation

In the November 2016 elections, the use of medical marijuana was approved through four state ballot measures, bringing the total to 28 states and the District of Columbia that have legalized medical marijuana in some form. Additionally, the District of Columbia and eight states—Alaska, California, Colorado, Maine, Massachusetts, Nevada, Oregon and Washington—have legalized recreational use of marijuana in some form.However, under the Controlled Substance Act of 1970, marijuana… READ MORE

When is a Workers’ Compensation Claim Compensable?

Carefully evaluating workers’ compensation claims is crucial in helping your company save money and prevent fraud. Workers’ compensation is simply a form of insurance that offers employees medical coverage in the event they are injured during a work-related function. Depending on the state of residence, it may also give compensation for disabilities sustained or cover rehabilitation costs so the employee can return to the workplace quickly and smoothly. Workers’… READ MORE

The Importance of Prompt Workers Compensation Claims Reporting

The rising cost of claims presents a significant challenge for employers today. However, there is a simple strategy that can significantly reduce your claims costs: report all claims promptly.In fact, the sooner a claim is reported, the lower the cost is likely to be. Beyond cost, reporting claims promptly can help avoid unnecessary conflict with insurance companies, ensure a proper investigation, preserve employee morale and maintain compliance.Minimize CostIt’s no secret that… READ MORE

Insurance Immersion: NHAIA Golf Classic

This past Thursday, Marcus, Tia, and I had the pleasure to attend the “Trusted Choice Big ‘I’ Golf Classic” at Stonebridge Country Club in Goffstown, NH. This golf tournament serves as an annual event for the New Hampshire Association of Insurance Agents, and is attended by many members of the New England insurance community.We attended this event as volunteers for the New Hampshire Young Agents Committee, and were able to assist in various tasks to support both the… READ MORE

Fuel-saving Strategies

Fuel costs tend to fluctuate, and you never know when the price to fill up is going to break the bank. As such, it’s important to save on gas whenever you can by doing the following:Lighten your car by removing heavy items from your trunk. This can help improve your car’s overall fuel economy.Avoid idling for long periods. Idling for just one minute consumes the same amount of gas as starting your engine.Stay up to date on oil changes.Drive slower. You can improve your fuel… READ MORE

Independent Contractor vs. Employee

Worker misclassification can be a costly mistake. This video explains the consequences of worker misclassification and helps employers determine if their workers are employees or independent contractors. For more information please visit https://www.dol.gov/whd/workers/misclassification/#stateDetails or for Maine visit http://maine.gov/labor/misclass/legal.shtml.  READ MORE