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On Our Mind: So What Do You Do?

By Jim Lombardo, CPCU, AAI, AIM, MBA, AVP of Learning & DevelopmentA little bit about me:​ sometimes I do not want to talk to anyone. And at other times, I will chat your ear off! Yesterday when I was at the barber, he was asking me questions about my job and if it has been affected by COVID. I told him that I just work from home a bit more now, and other than that, I have been busy. I knew what was coming next: “So what do you do?” I decided to answer with, “I’m in the insurance business: I help support agents with education, training, research, and more.” I continued, rather proudly, that “our…

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Albany Update: “Bad Faith”, Lead Paint Exclusion Ban, Privacy Act Introduced

​Given New York's political climate, playing defense is one of the most important ways Big I NY stands up for you in Albany. New York's legislative session concludes in four weeks, and as is typically the case, numerous harmful bills have popped up.Last week, Assemblywoman Helene Weinstein (D, Brooklyn) introduced a bill to create a statutory “bad faith" cause of action, allowing policyholders to sue insurance companies for a wide range of alleged unfair conduct. The bill includes a raft of incentives for trial attorneys, including extra-contractual damages, double and treble damages, attorney fees, interest, and penalties for failing to settle claims in as little…

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HR Q&A: May 2021

​Q:  We are re-opening the office and have some employees who are vaccinated while others are not. Do we have to implement any different procedures or policies?A: Our best recommendation is to follow the current guidelines established by the CDC, OSHA, and other health & safety experts. Right now, their guidance includes maintaining most of the safety procedures implemented last year: social distancing (possibly with barriers), wearing masks when walking through the workplace or within 6’ of others, limited use of common areas, hand washing / sanitizing, and regular disinfecting of the workplace. This guidance is the same for vaccinated and unvaccinated people so you…

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