InterWest’s Distinguished Employee: Kristie Phillips Kristie is an invaluable boundless resource who is always available to coworkers and clients. She is usually the first to arrive at the office and the last to leave. She willingly steps up when anything is needed to ensure clients are supported, their coverages are in place and nothing slips…
As the economy starts opening up again, so are offices, restaurants and other worksites, but because we’re not yet out of the pandemic woods, employers will need to contend with a myriad of paperwork issues, how to phase returning workers back, workplace safety compliance, and more. The process of reopening and bringing staff back to…
After Cal/OSHA’s Standards Board on June 3 approved revisions to the COVID-19 emergency standard, it voted a week later to withdraw those changes after a swift backlash to the rules. The current emergency standard took effect in November 2020. The vote was held during a special meeting the board held on June 9 to consider…
As the economy starts waking up from the ravages of the COVID-19 pandemic and more companies rehire workers or bring them back to the workplace, businesses will be faced with a number of risks that they may not have had to contend with in the past. That’s the conclusion of a new report, “New Emerging…
Three key factors that many insurance brokerages fail to keep a close eye on is sales velocity, organic growth and leakage. Understanding these three gauges of sales can help you identify any shortcomings in your new business production as well as client retention. Looking at these factors can also help determine the amount of new…
Fraud adds to workers’ compensation costs for all businesses, but it hits small businesses the hardest as they may not have the resources to identify bogus claims. According to a new study by workers’ comp insurer Employers Holdings Inc., about 20% of small business owners are not sufficiently prepared to identify workers’ compensation fraud. It’s…
When was the last time you or the person responsible for safety walked around your facility, warehouse, office or workplace and did an inspection? Your Injury and Illness Prevention Program states that the owner, supervisor or person with authority and responsibility shall conduct periodic workplace safety inspections. To maintain a safe and healthful workplace, OSHA…
Three Steps for Priming Your Agency for Acquisition If you are building your insurance agency with the goal of being acquired, there are steps you can take to sweeten the pot by positioning the business for success and growth. For owners who one day want to cash out, the most important thing is having a…
As violence and mass shootings in American workplaces increasingly make the news, more and more businesses are taking added precautions to prevent acts of violence at their facilities, but they also face substantial costs if violence does erupt. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration reports nearly 2 million people suffer from workplace violence every year,…
InterWest’s Distinguished Employee: Karen Preston Karen lifts everyone’s spirits and never has a negative attitude. She consistently goes above and beyond to help her clients and co-workers. She is an advocate for each client getting the best possible outcome to serve their individual needs. She works fast and efficient, tackling the task at hand, no…