Business Management | Consolidated

Civil Unrest and Your Business

As civil unrest has unfolded across the country with some protests turning to violence and destruction, business owners have good reason for concern, especially as many are just beginning to recover from the economic effects of the coronavirus pandemic. There are steps you can take to protect your business in these unpredictable situations. Here are…

HR Hotline: Real People, Real Answers

In a recent post we discussed MyWave Connect, our online portal for convenient access to resources on safety, compliance and much more (read about MyWave Connect here). While MyWave Connect is a vast and searchable resource, sometimes you need a little personal guidance, especially when it comes to matters of Human Resources, especially regarding policies…

COVID-19 Benefits Scenarios

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought with it a whole new series of questions and scenarios relating to benefits. The existing Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) still applies, and now the Families First Coronavirus Response Act brings two new components: Emergency Family and Medical Leave Expansion and Emergency Paid Sick Leave. Understandably, the question of…

MyWave Connect – What’s That?

At Consolidated Insurance, our belief has always been that we best serve our clients as not just a broker, but as a partner in helping their businesses better manage their risk. To that end, we’re proud to re-introduce MyWave Connect, a time-saving online resource that puts clients in control of customized compliance information and much…

Too Soon? Considerations for Reopening Your Business

All of us are looking forward to the end of being quarantined at home, and none more than the business owners whose operations have been pinched by having to work virtually. There will come a day when we return to the office, store or plant, and it’s not too soon to think about how that…

Small Business Loans and the CARES Act

As you have probably heard, the massive Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act passed by Congress in response to the current pandemic contains provisions for small business loans, which could be vital in seeing some companies through the resulting economic slowdown. Here are the highlights: The Act contains nearly $350 billion for an…

The Coronavirus Bill and Employee Leave

As you are no doubt aware, last week Congress passed, and President Trump signed into law, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, a multi-trillion-dollar relief package aimed to ease the financial burdens of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Act has far-reaching implications for employers. Here are the highlights: Most importantly, the Act requires that companies with…

Hackers Exploiting Coronavirus

As if you didn’t have enough on your mind, it turns out that hackers aren’t taking any time off during the current pandemic, and as a result COVID-19 isn’t the only virus you need to worry about. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), part of the Department of Homeland Security, is advising Americans to…

10 Low-Cost Steps to Greater Employee Satisfaction

Any good business wants happy employees, and a solid benefits package is a big part of that equation. But offering a generous suite of benefits can be cost-prohibitive in this age of escalating health-care costs. What can businesses do to keep employees motivated without breaking the bank? Here are ten low- or no-cost ideas. Recognition:…

Surety Bonds: The Safety Net for Construction Projects

What protects a business from a construction project that doesn’t go as planned? As much as we hope and expect that things will go well and according to contract, occasionally a contractor is unreliable, or even goes bankrupt in mid-project, creating a nightmare scenario for the client. Surety bonds are the safety net that protects…