THURSDAY, MARCH 19, 2020

Updates from PA Dept. of Labor & Industry - COVID-19 and Employer Unemployment Compensation (UC)

COVID-19 and Employer Unemployment Compensation (UC)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

As of: March 17, 2020

PENNSYLVANIA EMPLOYERS

Governor Tom Wolf's updated guidance for Pennsylvania businesses (as of 3/17)Opens In A New Window

The Department of Community and Economic Development has a resource account for businesses to reach out to directly with questions and concerns about operations. Email ra-dcedcs@pa.gov with your name, business, contact information, and concern, and someone will be in contact to assist you.

Employees affected by a business closure, reduction in hours, or a medically or government directed quarantine or isolation should be encouraged to file for unemployment compensation (UC) benefits if no other compensation, such as paid leave, is available to them.

Employees should be aware that they cannot receive both UC benefits and paid leave, as it may result in an "overpayment" that requires them to return benefits.

FAQs

1. Can my employees file for UC benefits if my business is closed (temporarily or otherwise) because of COVID-19?

Yes, if your employees are temporarily laid off due to a business downturn or closure as a result of COVID-19, they may be eligible for UC benefits.

If you are experiencing a business downturn, you can use L&I's Shared-Work program to avoid employee lay-offs. Additional resources for businesses are available through the PA Department of Community and Economic Development.

2. Can my employees file for UC benefits if I tell them to stay home because I think they are a risk of spreading or at risk of contracting COVID-19?

Your employees should first use paid sick leave or paid time off; however, if they are not receiving paid time off, they may be eligible for UC benefits.

3. Can my employees file a claim if they have COVID-19 and cannot come to work?

Your employees should first use paid sick leave or paid time off. However, if they are not receiving paid time off, they may be eligible for UC benefits.

4. Can my employees file for UC benefits if I reduce their hours because of COVID-19?

Yes.

5. Can my employees file for UC benefits if they are told to isolate or quarantine?

Your employees should first use paid sick leave or paid time off. However, if they are not receiving paid time off, they may be eligible for UC benefits.

6. Are there any programs to support employers experiencing financial difficulties or business downturn due to COVID-19? (Shared-Work?)

The Shared-Work program can help keep employees attached to your workplace. Additional resources for businesses are available through the PA Department of Community and Economic Development.

7. If I am a small business owner, am I eligible for unemployment benefits if I need to close or temporarily shut down my business because of COVID-19?

No. However, you may qualify for a small business loan through the PA Department of Community and Economic Development, or for other programs available through the Small Business AdministrationOpens In A New Window.

8. Will my UC tax rate increase if my employees file for benefits?

No, businesses who are temporarily closed due to COVID-19 will be granted Relief From Charges, and your tax rate will not be increased because of COVID-19-related claims.

Reposted from: https://www.uc.pa.gov/COVID-19/Pages/Employer-COVID19-FAQs.aspx

Posted 1:38 PM

MONDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2019

Once Upon a Time... a Westfield video

Posted 2:07 PM

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2019

Holiday Safety Tips to Remember

From Everyone at Rutt Insurance: We want to wish you and your family a safe and Merry Christmas and a Wonderful New Year!

Late fall and winter are the most prevalent seasons for house fires, and knowing the facts and implementing safety tips can make this time of year and the holidays more enjoyable and safer for friends and family. Additionally, Thanksgiving can signal the start of a peak time for home fires due to cooking accidents, electrical failures, dry trees, space heaters, fireplaces, candles, fireworks, and holiday lights, plus residents and visitors who choose to smoke in the home, to name a few.

Trees: Water holiday trees often, ensure there are no faulty lights, and keep the trees away from heat sources like fireplaces and space heaters. Consider a fire-resistant artificial tree instead.

Holiday Lights: Check for melted or damaged wires/plugs on holiday light strands and turn all lights off while away from home.
Cooking: Turn pot handles inwards to prevent accidents in the kitchen. Avoid wearing loose clothing which can ignite easily. Don’t store items on the stove. The leading cause of home structure fires is from cooking and accounts for two out of every five house fires.
Fireplace: Hanging stockings in front of the fireplace is a common practice. Be sure stockings are hung elsewhere while the fireplace is in use. Fireplace screens or glass doors are good investments, especially when children are in the house.
Candles: Keep candles out of the reach of children and blow each candle out before exiting home. Electrical candles are great alternatives and give a similar effect.
Fire Escape Plan: Know escape routes and practice with family members. Purchase fire extinguishers for every floor of the home and test smoke detectors.

Emergency Preparedness Kit: Keep contact numbers handy for first responders, doctors, and insurance carriers. In case of destruction to home or office, contact a licensed, emergency services and property damage restoration company at PDR-PA.com.

For more information and a fire safety tip sheet, among others, visit the NFPA safety website.

Originally published by Paul Davis Restoration, Inc.

Posted 1:53 PM

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2019

Collector Car Winter Storage Advice

When Andrew Singer brought home his newest collectible car in the spring of 2017, it failed the sniff test. Sugar the Singer family’s terrier, threw her forepaws over the left front fender of the 2006 Lotus Elise, and the yellow roadster advanced no further into the garage. Sugar smelled the spice of mice.

During the winter, as the result of the previous owner’s careless winter storage, the little rodents built a nest in the dashboard behind the speedometer. “They hadn’t damaged anything—just were hanging out,” Singer said.

Over a long winter, rodents can wreak more automotive misery per ounce than any car deserves, chewing up wiring, upholstery, and fabric. A popular mouse-fighting measure is to put dryer sheets in the passenger compartment. But some experts dispute the effectiveness, saying the smell may only offer an initial defense before mice get used to it. Mousetraps and mothballs on the garage floor may prove little more effective.

Singer has found an altogether foolproof defense for his collection. “The cat patrols the garage after dinner,” he said.

Rodent protection is just one consideration for those who decommission their vintage and collectible cars during the winter. Here are a few other tips for protecting that special car:

Wash & Wax
Wash and wax the body and give the interior a once-over to remove specks, globs, and splats that might have a corrosive effect.

Fuel Tank

To prevent varnish from forming, fill the gas tank and add fuel stabilizer. Doing this will thwart contaminants. One source recommends running the engine a few minutes to circulate stabilized gas through the fuel system.

Oil Change

Change the oil and filter, which are likely to have corrosion-causing agents. Top off the levels of other fluids. Changing engine coolant, transmission fluid, and differential oil is optional and proves just how meticulous one can be.

Storage

A nice, dry garage is ideal for winter storage. Even if the car is garaged, a vapor barrier on the floor prevents condensation buildup on the underbody and suspension. Sheet plastic or a tarp will do the job.

Tires

“If your car will be in storage for more than 30 days, consider taking the wheels off and placing the car on jack stands at all four corners,” says Edmunds.com. Where winter isn't too long, adding extra air to the tires will serve to prevent flat spots.

Parking Brake

Leave a car with automatic transmission in “Park.” Leave a car with a manual transmission in neutral and chock the wheels. Either way, do not set the parking brake, which would result in brake pads “freezing” against the drums or rotors because of corrosion.

Battery

Remove the battery and put it on a tender until spring.

Car Cover

Car covers are worth the expense. Our favorite purveyor of upmarket car-care items describes their triple-layer cover in technical terms that made us think we’d found NASA’s website by mistake. The cover should be breathable and have a soft inner layer to protect the paint.

There are more elaborate schemes for preserving a special car in the winter. Some owners are so fastidious, they might advocate having it shrink-wrapped and sent to the International Space Station. But the list we present here is just right for the average person’s Saturday afternoon and will keep 99.5 percent of the problems at bay—especially if, as our friend Andrew Singer attests, the dog and cat are living up to their end of the bargain.

originally published by Hagarty Insurance

Posted 9:00 AM

THURSDAY, MAY 2, 2019

Storm Chasers and Roofing Scams

After a storm hits your town, and you're left with property damage to your home, chances are you;re going to need a contractor to repair the damage. While many contractors are reputable and perform quality work, there are those that have questionable intentions. A recent example of a contractor scam involves storm chasers.

What is a storm chaser?

You may know them as individuals who pursue severe weather conditions. When it comes to property repair, the term often refers to contractors who follow severe weather events, anticipating a large amount of repair work to be done. While many of these contractors are truly trying to help those in need after a storm, others are looking to exploit vulnerable homeowners. They are a contributing factor to roofing scams across the U.S.

A storm chasing contractor will watch weather reports, waiting for severe weather like a tornado, hail storm, or windstorm to hit a region. After the storm hits, the contractor will get a crew together and travel to the affected area. They often use aggressive marketing tactics to get business from the local community. The scammers will complete a rush job and will not be available in the future when the roof starts to fail.

What are warning signs of a storm chaser?

Look for red flags that may indicate you're dealing with a storm chaser. Be cautious of contractors:

From out-of-town, or even from out-of-state. Check for the company's physical address. If only a P.O. Box is listed, they may not have a physical location in the area and are set up temporarily.
Offering to repair storm damage at a fast pace and at little cost to the homeowner. They will encourage homeowners to use their homeowners insurance for the damage.
- Some contractors may ask you to sign over your insurance benefits to speed up the process. Be cautious of these "post-loss assignment" contracts, and obtain legal advice before signing one.
Asking for cash payment upfront.

What can you do to ensure a contractor is reputable?

To lower your chances of being scammed, make sure you do your research. Ask these questions before making any commitments:

Is the contractor visiting your door unsolicited? This may indicate a storm chaser is looking for business.
Can the contractor provide references from previous customers in the area?
Does the contractor have valid insurance and licensing required by the state or local government?
How much experience do the contractor and crew have?
Are quality materials being used in the repair?
Can you pay with credit card or check? Paying with a cash deposit or cash in-full is a warning sign of a scammer.
Will a warranty accompany the work? A scammer will often leave town right after the repair, leaving you with no support if there are problems with the roof in the future.
Is the repair work a good deal only if you sign today? Don't feel pressure to sign anything before you've done your research. Often scammers will offer what sounds like a great deal on a repair, hoping you'll make a hasty decision.

And if you're concerned about your homeowners policy coverage of the repair in question, give your agent a call.