Granite Insurance Brokers

Team Granite

Recent Posts

Granite Insurance is Proud to Partner with Beam!

Posted by Team Granite on May 1, 2019 9:26:10 AM

 

Read More

Granite Newsletter - April 2019

Posted by Team Granite on Apr 10, 2019 2:01:30 PM

April 2019 Newsletter
by Granite Insurance Brokers
 

Deadline Extended for the Employer Information Report (EEO-1 Report) Filing from March to May 31, 2019

 

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has extended the deadline for employers to submit EEO-1 Reports for 2018. The reports are now due by May 31, 2019.

What is the EEO-1 Report? 

The EEO-1 Report is a federally mandated survey that collects workforce data from employers. The data is categorized by race, ethnicity, sex and job category. The EEOC uses this information to enforce federal prohibitions against employment discrimination and discriminatory pay practices.

The EEO-1 Report is an annual survey required under Title VII of the federal Civil Rights Act (Title VII). Under the law, employers with 100 or more employees and certain federal contractors must use the EEO-1 Online Filing System to submit employment data by March 31 every year. The EEOC extended the 2019 deadline because the federal government shutdown delayed the online system’s opening for 2018 reports. The EEOC expects the system to become available for 2018 submissions in early March 2019.

What’s Next?

Employers should monitor the EEO-1 website for more information about EEO-1 filing requirements and about when the filing system will be open for 2018 Reports. In the meantime, employers filing EEO-1 Reports for the first time should register to receive a company login, password and further instructions from the EEOC.

If the preparation or filing of an EEO-1 Report would create undue hardship, an employer may send a written request for an exemption or for special reporting procedures to the EEOC. Employers may also obtain a one-time, 30-day extension of the EEO-1 filing deadline by emailing a request to the EEOC.


 

When it Comes to Employee Engagement, Communication is Key

According to a Gallup poll, 70 percent of U.S. workers aren’t engaged at work. This statistic should alarm employers across the country, as low engagement means employees are not committed to their own success in the workplace, let alone the organization’s.

Investing in employee engagement might seem unjustifiable for a business that is focused solely on profits, as it might not recognize the benefits of engaged employees. One simple and cost-effective way that you can improve employee engagement at your organization is by improving and expanding your communications strategies.

Typical benefits and workplace communications can be bland and difficult to understand, but they don’t have to be. The key messages for each topic in an effective communications plan should be simple, relatable and actionable—and presented in a variety of content formats that you can use to communicate through multiple channels.

By implementing a multi-channel communication strategy, where you use posters, emails, flyers and videos to communicate company and benefits information, your message will reach more employees. This will help employees feel more informed about your company, which, in turn, will improve their workplace engagement.


BLS Data on Worker Access to Family Leave in 2018 Now Available

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) recently released a The Economics Daily (TED) report on civilian access to paid and unpaid family leave in 2018. These statistics provide insight into family leave benefits trends across the country. For this report, family leave included leave to care for family members, maternity and paternity leave.

Paid Family Leave Access

In March 2018, 16 percent of workers in the private sector and 17 percent of civilian workers had access to paid family leave. In the public sector, 25 percent of state and local government workers had access to this type of leave. Leave access varied by the size of the employer.

Unpaid Family Leave Access

In March 2018, 89 percent of civilian workers and 88 percent of private sector employees had access to unpaid family leave. Ninety-four percent of state and local government workers had access to this type of leave. As with paid family leave, access to leave varied by employer size.

For access to the BLS data, click here.


How to Conduct a Job Interview

The most important tasks in conducting a job interview are preparing questions and evaluating candidate answers. However, there are other key items you can attend to that will ensure a successful job interview. Learn the action steps you need to know by watching the video below.

 
 
 

 

Sincerely,

Team Granite 
(925) 462-8400
www.graniteins.com

Read More

Granite Workshop March 7th - California Harassment Prevention Supervisors Training Workshop

Posted by Team Granite on Jan 22, 2019 11:08:13 AM

You are invited to attend Granite's Upcoming Compliance Workshop:
 
California Harassment Prevention
Supervisors Training (AB 1825 and AB 20523) 
 
 
 
Date: Thursday, March 7th, 2019
Time: 11AM-1PM PST
Location
Castlewood Country Club
707 Country Club Circle
Pleasanton, CA 94566
 
Lunch and Certificate of Completion Provided
RSVP NOW
(Seating is Limited)

Workshop Description:

California Harassment Prevention Supervisors Training (AB 1825 and AB 20523) This workshop satisfies the AB 1825 and AB 2053 training requirements. State law requires California employers to provide Supervisors and Managers with 2 hours of interactive California sexual harassment prevention training and education every 2 years (CA Govt. Code Sec. 12950.1). The requirement covers employers with 50 or more employees or contractors in any 20 consecutive weeks in the current or preceding calendar year. There is no requirement that the 50 employees or contractors work at the same location or that all work or reside in California.

Workshop Leader: Jeanine DeBacker, McPharlin Sprinkles & Thomas LLP

Jeanine DeBacker counsels employers in all aspects of employment law on a day to day basis. She works with clients regarding leaves of absence, compensation, separations, and performance matters. Jeanine conducts engaging, interactive trainings regarding sexual harassment prevention, leaves of absence management, employee relations and crafts and reviews handbooks and policies and other communications. She vigorously defends employers in discrimination, harassment and retaliation lawsuits based on race, gender, disability and other protected classes. Jeanine helps employers resolve wage and hour problems such as unpaid overtime and breaks. And she practices ERISA / employee benefits law, helping plans with IRS and DOL audits and applying for voluntary correction programs.

**Please note the location & time of this workshop.**

 

Sincerely,

Team Granite 
(925) 462-8400
www.graniteins.com

Read More

Granite Workshop September 26 - Benefits Beyond Insurance

Posted by Team Granite on Aug 10, 2018 11:00:00 AM

You are invited to attend Granite's Upcoming Compliance Workshop:
 
Benefits Beyond Insurance -
The Importance of Offering a Complete Benefits Program vs. Insurance Coverage & Expensive Co-Payments
 
 
Date: Wednesday, September 26, 2018 
Time: 12-1 PM PST
Location:
Castlewood Country Club
707 Country Club Circle
Pleasanton, CA 94566
Lunch Included - "Taste of Italy"

*Attending this workshop will automatically enter you
in a raffle to win a $50 Gift Card!*

RSVP NOW
(Seating is Limited)
To RSVP to our future workshops click here

Workshop Description:

Your Benefits Program works best when it includes much more than just insurance plans with big co-pays and out of pocket deductibles – including offerings that go above and beyond insurance. 

In this workshop, the Granite Employee Benefits Team will cover:

  • Statistics from California employees on the importance of a comprehensive healthcare program, including offering more than just insurance coverage
  • How to engage your employees so that they value their benefits program during open enrollment (and 24/7) through education, additional offerings and technology
  • Maxwell Health, simplifying the administration of your benefits, compliance deliverables and HR, so you can focus on your people
  • What are the optional benefits that are free to employers and will increase the level of value within your benefits program; Umergency, Pet Insurance, Supplemental Benefits, Identity Theft Protection, Granite Perks Program, and more
  • Saving your employees money and time via education: Statistics regarding Tele-Health and accessing healthcare beyond the in-office doctor and emergency visits
  • Benefits Renewal Timeline, how to be on track for the renewal of your benefits program

Workshop Leaders - Granite Employee Benefits Team:

At Team Granite, we understand that your Employee Benefits Program is one of your biggest costs and one of the largest priorities to get right. Simplicity, compliance, simple communication and open enrollments are a must.

At Granite, we’ve invested in best-in-class benefits administration software & services that’s mobile enabled, integrated with COBRA, and we also create customized employee benefits booklets for your company, because we know how important these services are to simplifying the process of administrating your employee benefits program.

**Please note the location & time of this workshop.**

RSVP NOW

RSVP to our next workshop, "Cyber Privacy", on Thursday, November 8, 2018.

Read More

Form 5500 Filing Deadline for Many Health Plans is July 31

Posted by Team Granite on Jul 24, 2018 11:00:00 AM

July 2018 Newsletter
by Granite Insurance Brokers

Form 5500 Filing Deadline for Many Health Plans is July 31

Group health plan administrators are reminded that Form 5500 must be filed with the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) by the last day of the seventh month after the plan year ends. For calendar-year plans, that due date falls on July 31.

Read More

Granite Insurance Brokers Adds New Team Members!

Posted by Team Granite on Jul 19, 2018 11:00:00 AM

Dear Valued Clients,

Read More

Granite Workshop August 9 - Benefits Beyond Insurance

Posted by Team Granite on Jul 10, 2018 1:53:18 PM

You are invited to attend Granite's Upcoming Compliance Workshop:
 
Benefits Beyond Insurance -
The Importance of Offering a Complete Benefits Program vs. Insurance Coverage & Expensive Co-Payments
 
 
Date: Thursday, August 9, 2018 
Time: 12-1 PM PST
Location:
Castlewood Country Club
707 Country Club Circle
Pleasanton, CA 94566
Lunch Included - "Taste of Italy"

*Attending this workshop will automatically enter you
in a raffle to win a $50 Gift Card!*

RSVP NOW
(Seating is Limited)
To RSVP to our future workshops click here

Workshop Description:

Your Benefits Program works best when it includes much more than just insurance plans with big co-pays and out of pocket deductibles – including offerings that go above and beyond insurance. 

In this workshop, the Granite Employee Benefits Team will cover:

  • Statistics from California employees on the importance of a comprehensive healthcare program, including offering more than just insurance coverage
  • How to engage your employees so that they value their benefits program during open enrollment (and 24/7) through education, additional offerings and technology
  • Maxwell Health, simplifying the administration of your benefits, compliance deliverables and HR, so you can focus on your people
  • What are the optional benefits that are free to employers and will increase the level of value within your benefits program; Umergency, Pet Insurance, Supplemental Benefits, Identity Theft Protection, Granite Perks Program, and more
  • Saving your employees money and time via education: Statistics regarding Tele-Health and accessing healthcare beyond the in-office doctor and emergency visits
  • Benefits Renewal Timeline, how to be on track for the renewal of your benefits program

Workshop Leaders - Granite Employee Benefits Team:

At Team Granite, we understand that your Employee Benefits Program is one of your biggest costs and one of the largest priorities to get right. Simplicity, compliance, simple communication and open enrollments are a must.

At Granite, we’ve invested in best-in-class benefits administration software & services that’s mobile enabled, integrated with COBRA, and we also create customized employee benefits booklets for your company, because we know how important these services are to simplifying the process of administrating your employee benefits program.

**Please note the location & time of this workshop.**

RSVP NOW

RSVP to our next workshop, "Practical Ways to Cut Workers' Compensation Costs", on Wednesday, September 26, 2018.

Read More

Granite Perks National Summer Discounts!

Posted by Team Granite on Jun 6, 2018 1:32:35 PM

GRANITE PERKS NATIONAL  SUMMER DISCOUNTS!
Read More

Granite Workshop June 26 - The Employee Handbook

Posted by Team Granite on Jun 1, 2018 3:41:39 PM

You are invited to attend Granite's Upcoming Compliance Workshop:
The Employee Handbook
Read More

Fleet Safety Program Ideas

Posted by Team Granite on May 31, 2018 11:00:00 AM

For Commercial Auto Safety Resources, click & download the links below (Courtesy of Liberty Mutual):
Read More

Subscribe to Email Updates

Recent Posts

Connect With Us