Over the past few weeks, we’ve shared a few blogs about private health exchanges and defined contribution health plans. Today we’re pleased to announce the launch of Freedom, HNI's private exchange choice platform that delivers “benefits that fit.”

We believe our clients should have a choice, and that access to health care options shouldn't be limited to the employees of elite large employers -- it should be an opportunity for all.

JILL WITTING
Vice President

It takes an entire team to win the game – are you ready to take the field?  As a baseball fan, I can’t help but make an analogy about my line of work to America’s favorite pastime.  So who’s on your team?

Determining who is liable for freight claims usually falls under the Carmack Amendment, a law applied to motor carriers by Congress in 1935 that was adopted to achieve uniformity in rules governing interstate shipment.  The Carmack Amendment applies to shippers and carriers involved with interstate shipments of all commodities, with an exception for farmers, fisherman, and a few other categories. 

KATERI SCHUTT
Account Manager

Michigan has enacted new requirements for insurance companies to electronically provide the Secretary of State (SOS) with the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) for all vehicles they cover by no-fault insurance.  This is being used by the state to flag uninsured vehicles when their plates come up for renewal.

Employee onboarding is the getting-to-know-you period for a new worker and his or her employer. And it's as much about the employee getting to know the
employer as it is about the employee learning how to do a job!

Bare-bones employee onboarding offers little more than training on immediate job tasks. During strong employee onboarding, however, an employer may cover benefits, the firm's fiscal health, and department organization, along with giving the new employee a big dose of culture and values. It's an opportunity to give new hires "the big picture" of what a company is all about, and onboarding helps new employees figure out where they fit into that big picture.

JODI MATHY
Post Loss Specialist 

The cliche that "rules are meant to be broken" really doesn't apply to rules about workplace safety. Policies are in place to keep workers safe and your business running as efficiently as possible. What's more, rules about safety help control risk and costs for your firm!

At the National Tank Truck Carriers annual conference last month, Anne Ferro, administrator of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, touted the results of CSA and outlined her agenda for the coming months. Here's a look at the key points motor carriers should be ready for:

This guidance is considered temporary, but will apply until the DOL releases other regulations or guidance. 

For an employer-sponsored wellness program to hit a home run, two factors must be in place. First, the program must address wellness issues important to your unique employee population. Second, the incentives for participation must be just right.

At our May 7^th HNI University event, Sam Rizitelli from Travelers Insurance presented on Transportation Contract Traps: Red Flag Language and Conditions to Watch For.  The Carmack Amendment is the primary law governing cargo liability and was a major topic of discussion during the workshop.