New York’s newly expanded whistleblower protections will take effect on January 26, 2022, posing significant potential liability for employers. New York’s current whistleblower law, codified at Sections 740 and 741 of the Labor Law, provides only limited whistleblower protection, shielding private-sector employees from retaliation for complaints about practices that pose a “substantial and specific danger… Continue reading New York State Expands Potential Liability for Employer Retaliation Against Whistleblowers
Author: Farkas Laura
DOL Recovered More than $2.4 Billion for Benefit Plan Participants in 2021
The United States Department of Labor has issued a fact sheet summarizing the enforcement results obtained by its Employee Benefits Security Administration (“EBSA”) division in the fiscal year 2021. The Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (“ERISA”) is enforced by the EBSA. The fact sheet focuses on the over $2.4 billion recovered by EBSA… Continue reading DOL Recovered More than $2.4 Billion for Benefit Plan Participants in 2021
Major U.S. Airlines Warn 5G Could Ground Some Planes, Cause Catastrophic Aviation Crisis
The CEOs of major U.S. passenger and cargo carriers warned on Monday of an impending “catastrophic” aviation crisis in less than 36 hours, when AT&T and Verizon are set to launch new 5G service. The airlines have warned that the new C-Band 5G service, which is set to launch on Wednesday, may render a significant… Continue reading Major U.S. Airlines Warn 5G Could Ground Some Planes, Cause Catastrophic Aviation Crisis
Collin Krickl Joins Alliant in Phoenix
Alliant has added Collin Krickl as Vice President to its team in Phoenix. Krickl will deploy his longstanding expertise in property and casualty insurance and risk management to service a broad base of clients across the Southwest region. “Collin’s depth of expertise, extensive relationships, and strong regional understanding have set him apart as a leader… Continue reading Collin Krickl Joins Alliant in Phoenix
Texas Earthquakes Prompt New Fracking Rules
Earthquakes are causing a costly new setback for frackers in America’s hottest oil field. Shale companies in West Texas will have to pay more to transport millions of barrels of wastewater that rises from oil wells and, when deposited underground, can aggravate tectonic fault lines. Following a recent spate of earthquakes, state regulators ordered companies… Continue reading Texas Earthquakes Prompt New Fracking Rules
Next Insurance Hires Former Airbnb Executive as CFO
Next Insurance Inc., a startup that provides insurance to small business owners, has hired a former executive from Airbnb Inc. as its new chief financial officer. Teodora Gouneva took over as CFO of the Palo Alto, California-based company last month after serving as vice president of finance for Airbnb for about two years, where she… Continue reading Next Insurance Hires Former Airbnb Executive as CFO
Microsoft to Review Sexual Harassment and Gender Discrimination Policies
Microsoft has hired a law firm to review its sexual harassment and gender discrimination policies, the company’s board announced on Thursday, following shareholder concerns about how Microsoft and one of its founders, Bill Gates, had treated employees, particularly women. The board announced that it had chosen Arent Fox, a firm based in Washington, D.C. Microsoft… Continue reading Microsoft to Review Sexual Harassment and Gender Discrimination Policies
UK Parliament Launches Inquiry into London Commercial Reinsurance Market
The House of Lords Industry and Regulators Committee is investigating the regulation of the UK’s commercial insurance and reinsurance markets. The Committee has issued a call for evidence for its London Market inquiry, which will focus on commercial and wholesale specialty risks. The inquiry’s goal is to “investigate the extent to which regulatory policy is… Continue reading UK Parliament Launches Inquiry into London Commercial Reinsurance Market
Bankrupt Provider’s Successor Can Sue Cigna for Unpaid Benefit Claims
A federal appeals court ruled on Friday that the successor of a bankrupt mental-health and substance-abuse treatment provider can sue Cigna for $8.6 million in unpaid benefits but cannot seek damages for fraud. The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals reinstated the majority of a lawsuit brought by Bristol SL Holdings Inc – a company… Continue reading Bankrupt Provider’s Successor Can Sue Cigna for Unpaid Benefit Claims
Supreme Court Blocks Biden COVID Vaccine Mandate for Large Employers, Keeps Rule for Health Care Workers
The Supreme Court on Thursday struck down the Biden administration’s Covid-19 vaccine-or-testing rules for large private employers, effectively halting the government’s most aggressive effort to combat the pandemic at work. The Supreme Court did, however, give the administration more leeway in the healthcare industry, allowing it to impose a vaccine mandate on more than 10… Continue reading Supreme Court Blocks Biden COVID Vaccine Mandate for Large Employers, Keeps Rule for Health Care Workers