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New Sexual Harassment Law update & Your Exposure to Employment Practices Liability Hyatt Regency| OCTOBER 31, 2018

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Page 1: New Sexual Harassment Law update & Your Exposure to ... · 10/11/2018  · • Review and evaluate current sexual harassment prevention policies and training programs for compliance

New Sexual Harassment Law update & Your Exposure to Employment Practices Liability

Hyatt Regency| OCTOBER 31, 2018

Page 2: New Sexual Harassment Law update & Your Exposure to ... · 10/11/2018  · • Review and evaluate current sexual harassment prevention policies and training programs for compliance

Elizabeth Cordello NYS Sexual Harassment Law Update

Page 3: New Sexual Harassment Law update & Your Exposure to ... · 10/11/2018  · • Review and evaluate current sexual harassment prevention policies and training programs for compliance

The Law Offices of

Pullano & Farrow PLLC

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Sexual  Harassment  Law  Update  October  31,  2018    

HYATT  Regency  Rochester  

Elizabeth  A.  Cordello,  Esq.  Pullano  &  Farrow  

[email protected]      585-­‐730-­‐9949    

Page 4: New Sexual Harassment Law update & Your Exposure to ... · 10/11/2018  · • Review and evaluate current sexual harassment prevention policies and training programs for compliance

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#MeToo  Makes  Its  Mark  •  In  the  wake  of  high-­‐profile  sexual  harassment  

allegaYons  and  charges,  many  states  have  enacted  or  introduced  new  laws  focused  on  sexual  harassment  prevenYon  and  response.  

•  While  they  vary,  the  three  fundamental  trends  that  have  garnered  widespread  support  are:  -­‐  ProhibiYng  mandatory  arbitraYon  of  sexual  

harassment  disputes;  -­‐  Banning  nondisclosure  agreements  in  sexual  

harassment  se_lements;  and    -­‐  Requiring  employers  to  adopt  detailed  sexual  

harassment  prevenYon  policies  and  trainings.  

Page 5: New Sexual Harassment Law update & Your Exposure to ... · 10/11/2018  · • Review and evaluate current sexual harassment prevention policies and training programs for compliance

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The  Federal  Response  to  the  #MeToo  Movement

Page 6: New Sexual Harassment Law update & Your Exposure to ... · 10/11/2018  · • Review and evaluate current sexual harassment prevention policies and training programs for compliance

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New  Federal  LegislaYon

•  In  2017,  two  biparYsan  legislaYon  were  introduced  in  the  United  States  House  of  RepresentaYve  and  the  Senate  that  aim  to  change  how  employers  respond  to  sexual  harassment  in  the  workplace  and  how  sexual  harassment  cases  are  liYgated  in  court.  

Page 7: New Sexual Harassment Law update & Your Exposure to ... · 10/11/2018  · • Review and evaluate current sexual harassment prevention policies and training programs for compliance

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New  Federal  LegislaYon

•  Ending  Forced  Arbitra:on  of  Sexual  Harassment  Act  of  2017    – would  prohibit  pre-­‐dispute  employment  agreements  to  arbitrate  sexual  discriminaYon  claims.    The  House  version  of  the  bill  would  amend  the  Federal  ArbitraYon  Act  (FAA)  to  exclude  all  employment  claims  from  the  FAA.  

Page 8: New Sexual Harassment Law update & Your Exposure to ... · 10/11/2018  · • Review and evaluate current sexual harassment prevention policies and training programs for compliance

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New  Federal  LegislaYon

•  Ending  the  Monopoly  of  Power  Over  Workplace  Harassment  through  Educa:on  and  Repor:ng  (EMPOWER  Act)    – would  ban  nondisclosure  and  non-­‐disparagement  agreements  as  a  condiYon  of  employment  or  conYnued  employment,  create  an  EEOC  confidenYal  Yp-­‐line  to  receive  reports  of  sexual  harassment,  require  public  companies  to  disclose  the  amount  of  se_lements  and  judgments  in  connecYon  with  workplace  harassment  (as  a  material  disclosure)  in  their  annual  SEC  filings,  among  other  things.  

Page 9: New Sexual Harassment Law update & Your Exposure to ... · 10/11/2018  · • Review and evaluate current sexual harassment prevention policies and training programs for compliance

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New  Federal  LegislaYon

•  A  provision  in  the  Tax  Cuts  and  Jobs  Act  of  2017  eliminates  deducYons  for  payments  made  in  connecYon  with  the  se_lement  of  sexual  harassment  and  sexual  abuse  claims,  if  the  se_lement  agreement  contains  a  non-­‐disclosure  clause.  

Page 10: New Sexual Harassment Law update & Your Exposure to ... · 10/11/2018  · • Review and evaluate current sexual harassment prevention policies and training programs for compliance

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A  NaYonwide  Response  

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State  Laws  Sexual  Harassment  Laws   States  

States  that  have  banned  or  restricted  mandatory  arbitraYon  of  sexual  harassment  claims  

Maryland,  New  York,  Vermont,  and  Washington    

States  that  have  banned  or  restricted  NDAs  in  sexual  harassment  se_lements  

Arizona,  Louisiana,  New  York,  Tennessee,  Vermont,  and  Washington    

States  that  now  require  employers  to  have  specific  sexual  harassment  prevenYon  policies  

California,  Maine,  Massachuse_s,  New  York,  Rhode  Island,  and  Vermont    

Require  sexual  harassment  prevenYon  training  at  hire  or  on  an  annual  or  bi-­‐annual  basis      

California,  ConnecYcut,  Maine,  and  New  York    

Page 12: New Sexual Harassment Law update & Your Exposure to ... · 10/11/2018  · • Review and evaluate current sexual harassment prevention policies and training programs for compliance

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New  York  State’s  Response  to  the  #MeToo  Movement

Page 13: New Sexual Harassment Law update & Your Exposure to ... · 10/11/2018  · • Review and evaluate current sexual harassment prevention policies and training programs for compliance

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New  York  LegislaYon  

•  As  of  April  12,  2018,  employers  in  New  York  now  have  new  legal  obligaYons  to  prevent  sexual  harassment  of  employees  and  certain  non-­‐employees.      The  legislaYon  was  signed  into  law  as  a  part  of  the  2019  New  York  State  Budget.    

Page 14: New Sexual Harassment Law update & Your Exposure to ... · 10/11/2018  · • Review and evaluate current sexual harassment prevention policies and training programs for compliance

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NY  ExecuYve  Law  Amendment  

•  Amends  the  New  York  ExecuYve  Law  by  expanding  employer  liability  to  include  sexual  harassment  of  non-­‐employees  and  to  include  sexual  harassment  within  the  definiYon  of  “unlawful  discriminatory  pracYce.”  

Page 15: New Sexual Harassment Law update & Your Exposure to ... · 10/11/2018  · • Review and evaluate current sexual harassment prevention policies and training programs for compliance

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NY  Labor  Law  Amendment  

•  Amends  the  New  York  Labor  Law  to  direct  the  Department  of  Labor,  in  consultaYon  with  the  Division  of  Human  Rights,  to  publish  model  sexual  harassment  prevenYon  guidance.  

Page 16: New Sexual Harassment Law update & Your Exposure to ... · 10/11/2018  · • Review and evaluate current sexual harassment prevention policies and training programs for compliance

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NY  Labor  Law  Amendment  

•  While it has always been a best practice, employers are now required to implement written sexual harassment prevention polices, provide those policies to their employees, and ensure all employees are trained on sexual harassment prevention on an annual basis.

Page 17: New Sexual Harassment Law update & Your Exposure to ... · 10/11/2018  · • Review and evaluate current sexual harassment prevention policies and training programs for compliance

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NY  CPLR  and  General    ObligaYon  Law  Amendment  

•  Amends  the  New  York  Civil  PracYce  Law  to  prohibit  contractual  provisions  that  mandate  arbitraYon  of  sexual  harassment  claims.  

•  Amends  the  New  York  General  ObligaYon  Law  and  the  New  York  Civil  PracYce  Law  to  regulate  confidenYality  agreements  based  on  sexual  harassment  se_lements.    

Page 18: New Sexual Harassment Law update & Your Exposure to ... · 10/11/2018  · • Review and evaluate current sexual harassment prevention policies and training programs for compliance

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NY  Public  Officers  Law  Amendment  

•  Amends  the  New  York  Public  Officers  Law  to  require  employees  found  personally  liable  for  intenYonal  wrongdoing  involving  sexual  harassment  to  reimburse  any  public  enYty  that  makes  a  payment  to  a  plainYff.  

Page 19: New Sexual Harassment Law update & Your Exposure to ... · 10/11/2018  · • Review and evaluate current sexual harassment prevention policies and training programs for compliance

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State  Contract  Requirement  

•  Require  state  contractors  to  cerYfy  in  wriYng  in  their  bids  that  they  have  a  sexual  harassment  prevenYon  policy  and  provide  annual  training  that  meets  or  exceeds  the  requirements  of  the  model  policy  and  training  program.  

•  This  provision  goes  into  effect  January  1,  2019.    

Page 20: New Sexual Harassment Law update & Your Exposure to ... · 10/11/2018  · • Review and evaluate current sexual harassment prevention policies and training programs for compliance

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Employment  Contracts  and  Arbitra:on  Agreements  

Page 21: New Sexual Harassment Law update & Your Exposure to ... · 10/11/2018  · • Review and evaluate current sexual harassment prevention policies and training programs for compliance

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Mandatory  ArbitraYon  Agreements  for  Sexual  Harassment  Claims  Prohibited  

•  The law amends the New York Civil Practice Law and Rules (“CPLR”) to render void agreements requiring the submission of sexual harassment claims to mandatory binding arbitration.

•  Does not apply to arbitration requirements that are included as part of a collective bargaining agreement.

•  Does not apply to any other provision contained in the agreement.

Page 22: New Sexual Harassment Law update & Your Exposure to ... · 10/11/2018  · • Review and evaluate current sexual harassment prevention policies and training programs for compliance

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ProhibiYon  of  Mandatory  Pre-­‐Dispute  ArbitraYon  Clauses

•  This  prohibiYon  does  not  apply  to  any  arbitraYon  agreements  governed  by  the  Federal  ArbitraYon  Act,  which  will  sYll  likely  be  enforceable  regardless  of  the  sexual  harassment  based  nature  of  disputes.    

•  The  crucial  quesYon  in  terms  of  enforcement  will  be  if  the  employment  contract  affects  interstate  commerce,  thus  placing  it  under  the  authority  of  the  FAA.  

•  Applies  to  employers  with  four  or  more  employees.  •  This  provision  is  effecYve  July  11,  2018  and  is  not  retroacYve.  

Page 23: New Sexual Harassment Law update & Your Exposure to ... · 10/11/2018  · • Review and evaluate current sexual harassment prevention policies and training programs for compliance

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ConfidenYal  Se_lement  Agreements  for  Sexual  Harassment  Claims  Prohibited  

•  The law further amends the CPLR to prohibit courts from approving confidential settlement agreements for sexual harassment claims, unless:

•  (i) confidentiality is the complainant’s preference; •  (ii) the complainant has been given 21 days to consider the

confidentiality provision; and •  (iii) the complainant is given 7 days in which to revoke his or

her acceptance of the confidentiality provision. •  This  provision  is  effecYve  July  11,  2018  and  is  not  retroacYve.  

Page 24: New Sexual Harassment Law update & Your Exposure to ... · 10/11/2018  · • Review and evaluate current sexual harassment prevention policies and training programs for compliance

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Sexual Harassment Policy and Training Requirements

Page 25: New Sexual Harassment Law update & Your Exposure to ... · 10/11/2018  · • Review and evaluate current sexual harassment prevention policies and training programs for compliance

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Required  Elements  of  Sexual  Harassment  Policy  •  The  amendment  requires  the  New  York  Department  of  Labor  (“NYSDOL”)  and  the  New  York  

State  Division  of  Human  Rights  (“NYSDHR”)  to  jointly  develop  a  model  sexual  harassment  prevenYon  policy,  and  requires  all  New  York  employers  to  either  adopt  the  model  policy  or  develop  their  own  policy  compliant  with  the  model’s  standards.  

•  Employers  are  required  to  prepare  and  distribute  a  compliant  wri_en  sexual  harassment  prevenYon  policy  by  October  9,  2018.    

•  DOL  Model  Sexual  Harassment  PrevenYon  Policy:  https://www.ny.gov/sites/ny.gov/files/atoms/files/SexualHarassmentPreventionModelPolicy.pdf

•  DOL  Complaint  Form:  https://www.ny.gov/sites/ny.gov/files/atoms/files/CombatHarassmentComplaint%20Form.pdf

Page 26: New Sexual Harassment Law update & Your Exposure to ... · 10/11/2018  · • Review and evaluate current sexual harassment prevention policies and training programs for compliance

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Required  Elements  of  Sexual  Harassment  PrevenYon  Policy

At  a  minimum  a  sexual  harassment  prevenYon  policy  is  required  to  contain  the  following  elements:  –  A  statement  prohibiYng  sexual  harassment  consistent  with  guidance  issued  by  DOL  in  consultaYon  with  

DHR;  –  Examples  of  prohibited  conduct  that  would  consYtute  sexual  harassment;  –  InformaYon  concerning  the  federal  and  state  statutory  provisions  concerning  sexual  harassment  and  

remedies  available  to  vicYms,  along  with  a  statement  that  there  may  be  addiYonal  applicable  laws;  –  Includes  a  complaint  form;  –  The  procedure  for  Ymely  and  confidenYal  invesYgaYon  of  complaints  that  ensures  due  process;  –  A  statement  informing  employees  of  their  rights  of  redress  and  available  forums  for  adjudicaYng  sexual  

harassment  complaints  administraYvely  and  judicially;  –  A  statement  that  sexual  harassment  is  a  form  of  employee  misconduct,  and  that  sancYons  will  be  enforced  

against  individuals  engaging  in  sexual  harassment  and  managers  and  supervisory  personnel  who  knowingly  allow  such  behavior  to  conYnue;  and  

–  A  statement  that  retaliaYon  against  individuals  reporYng  sexual  harassment  or  who  tesYfy  or  assist  in  any  proceeding  is  unlawful.  

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Required  Sexual  Harassment  PrevenYon  Training  •  The  amendment  requires  NYSDOL  and  NYSDHR  to  develop  a  model  sexual  harassment  prevenYon  training  program,  and  

requires  employers  in  the  state  to  either  present  the  state-­‐approved  model  or  their  own  training  program  compliant  with  state  standards  on  an  annual  basis.    

•  New  York  employers  are  required  to  provide  sexual  harassment  prevenYon  training  by  October  9,  2019  and  every  subsequent  year.  New  employees  must  receive  training  as  soon  as  possible.    

•  DOL  Model  Training  -­‐https://www.ny.gov/sites/ny.gov/files/atoms/files/SexualHarassmentPreventionModelTraining.pdf •  Training  should  be  provided  in  the  language  spoken  by  their  employees.  •  Sexual  Harassment  PrevenYon  Case  Studies  

h_ps://www.ny.gov/sites/ny.gov/files/atoms/files/SexualHarassmentPrevenYonTrainingCaseStudies.pdf    

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Required  Elements  of  Sexual  Harassment  PrevenYon  Training  

The  training  program  must  contain  the  following  elements:  –  Must  be  interacYve;    –  An  explanaYon  of  sexual  harassment  consistent  with  guidance  issued  by  DOL  in  consultaYon  with  DHR;    –  Examples  of  conduct  that  would  consYtute  unlawful  sexual  harassment;  –  InformaYon  concerning  the  federal  and  state  statutory  provisions  concerning  sexual  harassment  and  

remedies  available  to  vicYms;    –  InformaYon  concerning  employees’  right  of  redress  and  all  available  forums  for  adjudicaYng  complaints;  

and    –  InformaYon  addressing  conduct  by  supervisors  and  any  addiYonal  responsibiliYes  for  such  supervisors.      

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Enhanced  ProtecYons    For  Non-­‐Employees  

•  EffecYve  immediately,  New  York  employers  may  be  held  liable  by  non-­‐employees  who  provide  services  pursuant  to  a  contract  in  the  workplace  (such  as  contactors,  “freelancers,”  vendors  or  consultants)  for  sexual  harassment.    

•  Applies  if  the  employer,  its  agents,  or  supervisors  knew  or  should  have  known  that  the  non-­‐employee  was  subject  to  sexual  harassment  in  the  workplace,  and  the  employer  failed  to  take  immediate  correcYve  acYon.    

•  The  amendment  states  that  “in  reviewing  such  cases  involving  non-­‐employees,  the  extent  of  the  employer’s  control  and  any  other  legal  responsibility  which  the  employer  may  have  with  respect  to  the  conduct  of  the  harasser  shall  be  considered.”    

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What  should  you  be  doing  next?  •  Review and evaluate current sexual harassment prevention policies and training programs

for compliance with the new minimum standards •  Revise sexual harassment prevention policies to include specific references to non-

employees providing services to the employer, including independent contractors. •  Prepare and begin providing sexual harassment prevention training for employees and

management on an annual basis. •  Consult your legal counsel regarding changes to arbitration agreements in connection with

sexual harassment claims and the interplay with the Federal Arbitration Act. •  Revise settlement agreements, including nondisclosure provisions pertaining to sexual

harassment claims, to provide for the applicable review and revocation period. •  When available, review the New York State Department of Labor model policies and training

programs on sexual harassment prevention.

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QUESTIONS??  

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Chris Lavelle Employment Practices Liability Insurance

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Employment Practices Liability

Chris Lavelle, CPCU, RPLU

Second Vice President, EPL Product Leader/Underwriter USLI, A Berkshire Hathaway Company

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Agenda

Ø The NEED for EPL coverage Ø Trends: Where do the claims come from?

•  Federal/State •  HIGHLIGHT: FLSA/W&H; #metoo/#TimesUp

Ø Coverage: Important Features of EPL Policies •  Underwriting Factors

Ø Claims Examples & Risk Management: •  EPL Claims Examples •  Value Added Services

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35 35

What is EPL?

EPL provides protection for an employer against

claims made by

•  Employees •  Former Employees •  Potential Employees •  Third Party customer, vendor, clients*

Covered EPL allegations may include

• Discrimination • Harassment • Wrongful Termination •  Sexual Harassment • Retaliation • Wage and hour violations • Other Employment-related allegations

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Need

Ø Costly to defend Ø Expanding interpretation of laws Ø Increasing employee awareness Ø Increasing awareness of legal profession Ø Graying and diversity of workforce

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Rising Cost of Employment Litigation

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Cost of Defending EPL Claims

Ø  An employer is more likely to have an EPL claim than a general liability or property loss Ø  Last year 40% of all employment lawsuits were brought against small businesses with under 100

employees Ø  67% of discrimination cases settled by jury verdict are in the plaintiff’s favor

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Cost to employers

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Federal Laws

Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 as Amended by Civil Rights Act of 1991 •  Prohibits discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, pregnancy in hiring, firing, compensation and in any term

or condition of employment. Created the need for EPL policy •  1991 - Jury trial, punitive and damages for emotional distress •  Applies to employers with 15 or more employees

Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967(ADEA) •  Prohibits discrimination of applicants or employees over 40 •  Applies to employers with 20 or more employees

Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) •  Prohibits discrimination against a qualified individual because of a disability •  “Qualified individual” – can perform essential functions with or without a reasonable accommodation •  “Disability” – physical or mental impairment that substantially limits major life activity; a record of an impairment; or a perception of an

in impairment •  Applies to employers with 15 or more employees

Family Medical Leave Act of 1992 (FMLA) • Up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave for family and medical emergencies •  Includes adoption, childbirth, placement of foster children and serious health conditions •  Applies to employers with 50 or more employees

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Other EPL Exposures

•  Breach of contract •  Violation of public policy • Refusing to engage in unlawful activity • Reporting employer wrongdoing •  Exercising a protected right

Wrongful Termination

• Unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors and verbal, visual or physical conduct

• May be part of gender discrimination claim •  Employer may be liable when there is no adverse tangible employment action •  Acts that create a hostile or offensive work environment

Sexual Harassment/ Workplace Harassment

•  Employee engaged in a protected activity •  Employee suffered an adverse action • Causal connection between adverse action and protected activity

Retaliation

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Fair Labor Standards Act- Background

Federal statute signed into law in 1938

Part of FDR’s New Deal

Intended to protect workers and stimulate the economy following the Great Depression

The U.S. economy has evolved over the years and the FLSA has not followed suit

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Requirements Imposed by the FLSA

Basic Provisions: •  Implemented a federal minimum wage •  Established a 40-hour work week and overtime pay •  Prohibited use of “oppressive child labor” •  Employment recordkeeping requirements •  Created the Wage and Hour Division (WHD) within the Department of Labor

to administer and enforce the act. •  Two year statute of limitation for honest mistakes •  Three year statute of limitation for willful violations

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Exempt or Non-exempt Employee?

Exempt •  Employees are those who are exempt

from certain wage and hour laws, i.e. overtime pay; usually but not always applies to executive, administrative, professional, highly compensated, outside sales and certain computer professional employees.

Non-exempt •  Employees may receive hourly wage or be

salaried and are subject to wage and hour laws, i.e. overtime pay and; usually applies to non-professional employees. The FLSA requires employers to pay employees at least 1.5 times their hourly pay rate for hours that they work over 40 hours in a given week.

ü  Employees and enterprises engaged in interstate commerce with annual sales of at least $500,000 or those engaged in the operation of a hospital, institution for the sick, a school or public agency

ü  Only employees are covered, not independent contractors

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A Serious Threat for Employers

Ø Wage and hour lawsuits increased 432 percent from 1993-2013

Ø The Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division (WHD) have recovered $1.3 billion back wages since 2009.

Ø The WHD found violations in 78 percent of agency-initiated investigations in Fiscal Year 2014, up from 65 percent in 2009

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#MeToo & #TimesUp

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#MeToo & #TimesUp

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Coverage Features: Insuring Agreement and Other Key Provisions

Claims Made Coverage • When is the claim made? • When reported? • When did the act occur? • When did the insured know?

Defense Provisions • Duty to defend • Indemnification

Limits • Per Claim and Aggregate

Retention • Applies to each claim. • Commonly no aggregate retention or cap

Claim Reporting Extension • Extend policy provisions • Claims made after policy ended • Wrongful Acts occurred before policy ended

Representations and Severability • Reliance on the application • Materiality Statements • Affect acceptance, pricing or terms

• Imputation Provisions • Who knew

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Exclusions

Covered elsewhere

Bodily Injury & Property Damage

ERISA & Workers

Compensation benefits

Uninsurable

Criminal, Fraudulent,

Dishonest conduct

Business Risk

Fair Labor Standards Act

(FLSA) obligations

Liability assumed under contract

National Labor Relations Act

violations

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Coverage Highlights - USLI

• $100,000 defense and indemnity (n/a CA and FL) W&H Sub-limit

• $500k limit or higher is purchased and under 200 employees Defense outside the limit

• Many EPL markets have started enforcing high retentions on small businesses who simply do not have the cash flow Retentions beginning as low as $1,000

• Available for most claims-free classes of business Full Prior Acts

• 10% additional premium, available for most classes of business Third Party Coverage

• States that restrict coverage for punitive damages: AL, CA, DC, HI, NY, OH, RI, WV Punitive damages with most favorable venue wording

• Only 4 pieces of info needed: 1) Name 2) State 3) Class of Business 4) Number of Employees Instant quoting capabilities and short application

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Stand-Alone vs BOP coverage

Ø What does your BOP include? •  Limits? •  Third Party Liability? •  Coverage for Wage & Hour? •  Defense costs inside or outside the limit? •  Prior acts coverage? •  Risk management services?

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Underwriting Factors

Type of Business

Location

Management Experience

Subsidiaries and Affiliated

Firms

Number of Employees Salary Levels

Financial Condition

Management Practices

Claim History

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EPL Claims Trends

Ø #MeToo #Times Up Ø Wage & Hour Lawsuits Ø Pregnancy Discrimination Ø Employee Classification

•  Dual Employer relationship •  Independent contractors

Ø Transgender Discrimination Ø “Drive-by” ADA claims Ø ADA Website accessibility lawsuits

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How an Employer Can Avoid an EPL Claim

ü  Create effective hiring and screening programs to avoid discrimination in hiring ü  Post corporate policies throughout the workplace and place them in employee handbooks so

policies are clear to everyone ü  Show employees what steps to take if they are the object of sexual harassment or discrimination

by a supervisor. Make sure supervisors know where the company stands on what behaviors are not permissible

ü  Document everything that occurs and the steps the company is taking to prevent and solve employee disputes

ü  Minimize impact of claims that do occur

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Best Practices for Business Owners Good Risk Management

Ø Strict, well communicated procedures for payroll practices and time reporting obligations

Ø Mechanisms in place for employees to report if they think they are misclassified or underpaid

Ø Implement clear policies and procedures for overtime and other issues Ø Train employees, managers and human resources personnel Ø Conduct annual payroll audits Ø Get legal advice

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Best Practices for Business Owners Risk Transfer – Buy EPL Insurance!

Ø Considered employees another business risk Ø Employment Practices Liability Insurance with

USLI’s FLSA solution! •  $100,000 sub-limit for defense and indemnity

of wage and hour violations (n/a CA and FL) § Due to the drastic increase in reported violations, most carriers

offer defense-only coverage

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Best Practices for Business Owners Risk Transfer – Buy EPL Insurance! (cont.)

Ø Business Resource Center with free access to PeopleSystems, a national HR consulting firm

www.peoplesystems.com/usli

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Ø The Business Resource Center offers a variety of services available on all USLI products including:

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Ø The Business Resource Center only works to win business when it is a part of your sales discussion.

Every quote includes an attachment promoting this message after the pre-filled application

Our cost calculator can show your

clients how to save big!

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Questions?

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This presentation is intended for the sole purpose of providing a quick reference tool concerning the insurance product(s) described herein. The descriptions contained herein are not intended to be complete descriptions of all terms, exclusions and conditions in applicable policies, but are solely provided as general descriptions of the coverage, rates, eligibility criteria and other underwriting considerations involved. Descriptions contained herein are general and informational only and are not intended to supplement, modify or replace actual policy terms and conditions. Products or policies referenced in this presentation may not be available in all states.

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Tom Flynn NY State Sexual Harassment Training

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HF&C Group Benefits Client Training Tools

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Goals for Today

•  Share and overview of ThinkHR solutions with you

•  Give you information to assess the value of ThinkHR

•  Specifically review an option for NY State Sexual Harassment Training

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About ThinkHR

•  ThinkHR sets the standard for quality and leadership in HR knowledge solutions •  Resolved over 200,000 HR inquiries •  Over 10 years helping companies with HR and training solutions •  Healthy growth and financially sound •  Ongoing innovation based on client feedback and needs

Partnerships with:

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Helping You Comply

1 Tools to Keep You

Out of Trouble

2 Support for Your

Team

3 Next Steps

4

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Helping You Comply

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Steps to Success

Audit your processes.

Call the Live team for firsthand advisor experience.

Evaluate our ThinkHR tools vs others to fill your compliance gaps, including future access to compliance tools, legislative updates and webinars.

01 02 03

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Why Is Compliance Support Important?

How does the Affordable Care Act affect my business?

Can I afford to hire another HR resource?

How do I handle a termination?

How much time off do I need to give my employees?

What do we do about a discrimination claim?

Should I be spending money on an attorney?

How do I increase my employee performance?

How do I mitigate risk and protect my company’s reputation?

How much time off do I need to give my employees?

What will it cost me to offer ongoing sexual harassment training?

Is our compensation in line with industry averages?

What training is required in my state?

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The Risks of NOT Caring

•  Employee Turnover Replacing and hiring a new employee costs 1x salary of that employee

•  Compliance Violations HIPAA violations, for example, include a maximum of $250,000 for repeat violations

•  Misclassification Fines Companies have paid out millions of dollars in settlement fines

•  EEOC Violations Federal discrimination damages and back pay can easily cost businesses well beyond $250,000

•  Legal Fees Attorney fees: $300+/hour,Average out-of-court settlement: $75,000

•  Low Employee Morale Can impact customer sales and support affecting customer churn and loss of new revenue

•  Lawsuits 6 out of 10 employers have faced an employee lawsuit within the last 5 years

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ThinkHR Comply

•  HR News

•  Federal and State Alerts

•  Policies and Forms Library

•  ACA Tools and Updates

•  Compliance Audits

•  White papers and Topical Guides

•  Multi-State Handbook Builder

•  Job Description Builder

•  Performance Review Tool

•  Compensation Analytics

•  Webinars Library

•  Q&A Database

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Questions – Comply

How do you find answers to HR issues and compliance questions:

•  How do you find out if you’re keeping compliant?

•  Do you have a hiring and onboarding process in place?

•  Where do you find the most updated forms needed for workforce management?

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Tools

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The ThinkHR Platform

THINKHR LIVE Real-time Advice and Answers from Live HR Experts

Award-winning Resource Center

THINKHR COMPLY

Training Courses for Compliance and

Employee Development

THINKHR LEARN

Proactive Newsand Expert Analysis

THINKHR CRUNCH

CLOUD BASED PLATFORM

•  99% same-day answer rate • Available 11 hours each day

• SPHR and PHR certified advisors • Online submission, documentation and follow-up

• Q&A Database • Forms and Documents

• Tools and Checklists

• 200+ Online Courses

• Created by Experts

• Employment Law and Legislative Updates

• ACA and Compliance Changes

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ThinkHR Learn – Most Popular Courses

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ThinkHR Learn – NYS Course

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Course Administration and Reporting As Easy As… 1. Create A Track or Subject

2. Choose a Population

3. Choose a Deadline

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Questions – Learn

How is training administered now?:

•  Do you need a training solution for your staff on Harassment? OSHA regulations? Recordkeeping? FLSA?

•  Are you paying for training now?

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Support for Your Team

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Audit Tools

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ThinkHR Insights

Best practices, thought leadership and more

•  Newsletters

•  Compliance Alerts

•  Legislative Updates

•  HRCI Webinars

•  Employment Law Alerts

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Builder Tools

Multi-State Handbook Builder

•  Help clients minimize risk •  Differentiate your agency •  Reinforce your value •  Ease compliance burden •  Supported by HR Advisors •  Editable and customizable

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Knowledge Tools

Comply search by:

•  State or Federal •  Content type •  Dropdowns •  Form, checklist or

policy •  Terms or statutes

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Next Steps

Would your team benefit from a deeper introduction to ThinkHR:

•  HF&C’s Benefits team can review your current compliance practices

•  We can demo programs and provide access to our team of pros on your actual questions

•  For more information contact Tom Flynn, VP and Director of Group Benefits at [email protected] or 315-703-3215