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Welcome to fall...almost! Officially, September 23 is the beginning of fall this year. However, with school in session, the passing of Labor Day, the scheduling of fall bowling leagues and the availability of Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte, it feels like we have made it. Now, if we can just get the temperature to cooperate...
Over the past few months we have used this newsletter, as a service to you, to provide marketing ideas to help you grow your business. Increasing revenues, however, is only a piece of the puzzle if you want to have a successful center. Equally important is knowing how to best protect your investment.
In the coming months we will begin to focus on areas of your business where the right insurance coverage could better protect you and possibly save you money at the same time!
Last month's newsletter focused on the law and practices of employing minors. If you haven't had a chance to read it and you currently employ minors, I highly recommend that you take advantage of some of the information that we laid out.
This month's letter focuses on a particular coverage that is a near necessity, and available to all businesses: EPLI, or Employment Practices Liability Insurance. |
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 EPLI is an insurance plan that provides employers with protection against claims of discrimination, wrongful termination, sexual harassment or other employment-related issues made by employees, former employees or potential employees. According to noted insurance journalist Phil Zinkewicz, "Today's employers, both large and small, face exposures to employee lawsuits alleging sexual harassment, gender discrimination, national origin discrimination, disabilities discrimination and age discrimination, among other areas." And the numbers are there to back Mr. Zinkewicz's claim. As of 2010, charges against employers for discrimination were up 15.2%; charges of harassment were up 20% and charges of retaliatory treatment were up 22.6%.
I know what you are thinking. "We're just a small business; we don't have deep pockets and nothing like this has ever happened to us before. Do we really need this?"
The short answer is YES! But, if you don't believe me, below are a few real life examples. After you read them I think that you will understand just how important this coverage is.
EPLI is very affordable. If you have questions about your current coverage please don't hesitate to ask. If you know that your business currently is not protected by an EPLI plan and you would like for it to be, please contact us for a quote today!
1. Sexual Harassment: A female pizza delivery person alleged that her manager repeatedly sexually harassed her after her evening shifts. Although no one directly witnessed the alleged harassment, the manager in question had a history of inappropriate behavior alleged by other employees, which had been documented in his personnel file. This case settled for around $45,000 in addition to $26,000 in defense costs.
2. Third Party Liability: A customer threatened to file a class action lawsuit alleging that a donut shop was not compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act, claiming that the handicapped parking spaces were too narrow or the counters were too high. The claimant and his attorney often settle for a low figure of $15,000 to $25,000 and then move on to the next fast food restaurant to file the same type of claim.
3. Wrongful Termination & Retaliation: A male fry cook filed a workers compensation claim after burning his hand after making a batch of french fries. Shortly after returning to work, the employee was fired because of his repeated tardiness prior to the incident. Upon investigation, the employer did not have any documentation proving he was ever late. The employee settled out of court for $10,000 after $12,000 was spent in defense.
4. Race Discrimination: An African American called a Chinese take-out only restaurant to place an order but after providing his address, the restaurant employee refused to complete his order. The employee told the customer that he would not deliver food into that neighborhood because of the perceived violence that takes place there. The customer sued for third party discrimination and the case was settled quickly out of court for $15,000.
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*Health Insurance Available*
We can now offer health insurance plans for your full and part-time employees! In addition, we can also assist with your disability, life insurance and dental needs.
For more information please contact:
Bob Langley - toll free 1-800-234-0661 x145
blangley@bbsouthcarolina.com |
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About This Newsletter
You are receiving this newsletter, because the relationship that we have with you is an important part of our business. We are not successful unless you are successful. We know that the key to a successful relationship is communication. Understanding that there can never be too much communication in a relationship, we intend to use this newsletter as an additional line between you and us.
The information provided in this newsletter is intended to help you to maintain and grow your business, help you to stay up to date with current trends in your industry, as well as provide effective marketing tips to help you reach your customers.
We want a successful relationship with you! This is one more service that we wanted to provide to make it the best that it can be.
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People...and the relationships that they form, are our strength. Our reputation has been built on a solid foundation of people dedicated to providing the highest degree of service.
You will be meeting the staff in the next few months. Be sure to tune in!
Please forward this to anyone you know who might find the information helpful. |
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Disclaimer
Material contained within the this Newsletter is intended for general informational purposes only and is not intended as professional counsel or advice, and is not to be used as such. The contents of this Newsletter may not be comprehensive or up-to-date and we make no representation as to the accuracy, completeness, timeliness, merchantability or fitness for a specific purpose of the information provided in this newsletter. Brown & Brown of South Carolina, Inc. d/b/a Bowling Center Insurance assumes no liability whatsoever for any action taken in reliance on the information contained in this Newsletter, or for direct or indirect damages resulting from use of this Newsletter or its content. Any unauthorized use of material contained herein is at the user's own risk. Some of the links made available to you through this Newsletter will take you to websites not under the purview of or affiliated with Bowling Center Insurance and Bowling Center Insurance does not control or endorse such websites or their content. These links are being provided to you only as a convenience, and your access to these websites is done at your own risk and we disclaim any liability for the accuracy of content, validity of systems, effectiveness of tools or technologies, or adherence to privacy, security, accessibility, or other policies of such websites. |
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