Unemployment Insurance –
Are you Doing ALL you Can to Keep your Rates Down & Avoid Unwarranted Claims?

Unemployment Insurance (UI) tax law can be complex and confusing to understand. To do it right, the administrative work involved is very time consuming. Generally, most HR professionals don’t have the time or expertise to administer their UI program. There is usually much more involved than protesting a claim and attending an unemployment insurance hearing.

Did you know, for example, that your company can be liable for DOUBLE UI charges due to a California Employment Development Department (EDD) program that allows claimants to receive an additional 26 weeks of unemployment benefits while they are enrolled in an approved training program. This can increase the charges to your reserve account. (For more information about this, see the article from the EG November 2005 newsletter)

Take a look at our UI Services!
Since 1972 when Employers Group established its own UI third party administration we have saved members millions of dollars in benefit charges and lower tax rates. Our six part-cost control program is designed to protect your company from unwarranted UI charges.

• Part One - Management Education
  Training your managers on the concepts of UI can add to your bottom line. We provide training for your staff in UI cost control concepts and documentation. Your staff is educated on how to better protect your company in the event of a disciplinary problem or termination. We also advise you on changes in the law.
• Part Two - Claims Administration
  Each claim is processed through our computerized tracking system. If charges are challenged, a protest is generated and tracked through final disposition. We also handle all state telephone inquiries on former employees.
• Part Three - Appeals Representation
  We process appeals and represent your company at administrative hearings. We select witnesses and prepare them for testimony. If a case goes to the next level of appeal, we submit a written argument.
• Part Four - Audit
  Using our computerized claim tracking system, we audit your statement of benefit charges. This system automatically generates a protest of any questionable charges.
• Part Five - Consulting
  Our experts are always available to advise you on difficult disciplinary action or terminations. We will also assist you in the event of a merger or acquisition.
• Part Six - Accountability
  Our staff becomes a member of your human resources and accounting teams. We do all we can to remain accountable to you. We send you a copy of each decision we receive on your company's behalf, and an Annual Status Report each year (as well as reports on request).

Not-for-profit-employers
We also service non-profit employers who've chosen the reimbursable method of financing unemployment insurance, such as colleges, hospitals and municipal governments.

Easier than you think
Because of Employers Group's position in the field of human resources management, we are uniquely qualified to operate one of the most comprehensive UI services in the country. And we aren't just restricted to claims in California. We're now established in all Western states.

We can have your company on our system in a matter of minutes—even if you're currently using an outside administrator. We can transfer your records into our system as soon as we receive them. For more information, call Sarah Rios, Unemployment Insurance Manager, directly at (213) 765-3965.

2006 UI FORECAST

Due to an improved economic outlook and a decrease in the number of estimated unemployment insurance claims, the Employment Development Department (EDD) forecast shows an improved outlook regarding the condition of the UI Trust Fund compared to its earlier forecast of May 2005. However, all California taxed-rated employers will still be on the F “plus” (plus is 15% surcharge) Schedule as required by current statute to be initiated when the UI Trust Fund balance dips below a specified levels. The EDD is also projecting that the average Tax Rate for 2006 will be 4.44%.

Still Need Harassment Training?

Employers Group still can help you. You must have your supervisors trained by December 31st! Take advantage of our last minute programs:

• Express On-Line Training: Send us an email at training@employersgroup.com and start your training tomorrow! The quickest and easiest solution to your last minute training needs.
• Public Programs: The last instructor-led public workshop in harassment prevention for supervisors (AB1825) will be held at the Employers Group's Orange County office on December 27 from 9-11 and 1-3.

If you desire an on-site or on-line program specific for your company, time is running out. Contact Employers Group immediately at 800-748-8484.

2006: The Prevention and Productivity Year

Was last year 2005AD or was it AB 1825? Whether you consider it one or the other, we can all agree it was a year chock full of harassment prevention (AB1825) training for supervisory personnel. Organizations that rarely conducted compliance training were forced to complete it with a looming deadline. Organizations that routinely conducted harassment prevention training were forced to keep better records of when training was and is delivered. Regardless how you view it, your organization is now better for it.

What’s ahead for you in 2006?
Continue the momentum of your AB 1825 training programs by focusing on other prevention and productivity topics. Some suggestions for your 2006 training calendar:

• Employee-Level Harassment Prevention: Your first hurdle was to get all of your supervisory and leadership employees through harassment prevention. Kick up your prevention efforts a notch by training all employees in harassment prevention. The 2-hour training program will not only further protect your company’s interests, it will reinforce an atmosphere of mutual respect throughout your organization.
• Supervisory Law: Wow, your leadership employees actually went to training? Surprising, huh? Not really, these employees are hungry for information and need to know how to protect your company and themselves. Continue the learning trend by providing just 4 hours of supervisory law training. Let your supervisors/managers know what they can and can’t do in their everyday duties.
• Supervisory Training: Re-tool your supervisory employees with skills so they can better problem solve, make decisions more easily, communicate efficiently, handle conflict, motivate others and become a better leader. Employers Group will be offering a Basic Leadership Skills and Advanced Leadership Skills program in 2006. Public workshops will be available on these topics in February. On-site programs are available now.
• Productivity Training: Do you want your organization to improve processes, customer service, turnover and profitably? Consider Employers Group productivity training geared to any level of employee within your organization. Also, if your company is for-profit it may be eligible for the state to pay for your training program.

For more information on any of these programs, contact Employers Group at training@employersgroup.com.

Did you miss the 2005 Workplace & Employment Law Update?

Click here for photos and comments from this year's event. Materials from the program are available on our website. Click here for more information.

Have you purchased the 2005 Executive Compensation Survey Yet?

With the budget season fast approaching, don’t miss out on this year’s last chance to purchase our 2005 Executive Compensation Survey! The 2005 Executive Compensation Survey has the latest compensation levels for 24 top-level executive classifications. This multi-industry report is designed to assist you in optimizing your executive compensation plan. The report examines detailed annual compensation (base and bonus/incentive) by (a) employment size, (b) revenue, (c) type of organizations (corporate vs. division), and by (d) type of ownership (private, public, etc). The full report package consists of the Book format accompanied by a CD-ROM.

A U.S. edition is also available with data from over 1,400 companies. This survey is suited for firms with national operations divisions or firms who benchmark their compensation package based on U.S. standards.

Data Effective February, 2005
Compensation data based on 320 California Companies
Also available, the U.S. Edition, 1,400 Companies
Member Price: Only $395!
View Sample Pages

2005 SURVEY FEATURES INCLUDE:
Compensation Report for 24 Positions Broken down by base salary, additional comp., total compensation, salary ranges, and bonus.

Also features: Base Salary Increases, Benefits & Bonuses Summary, Auto Policies, Perquisites, Stock Purchase Plans, Bonus/Variable Pay Programs, Short & Long-term bonuses, Average pay per board meeting, Average number of inside and outside directors per organization, Annual Increases (current and previous year), and General Executive Perks.

ORDER YOUR COPY TODAY!

If you have any questions about this survey or any other Employers Group research service, please call us at (213) 765-3925 or e-mail us.

Are you Shopping for a New Insurance Broker?

For many organizations, the end of another year signals “renewal” in many areas of business, from business plans and budgets to insurance policy renewals. If you are looking at different insurance options, why not consider what Employers Group can do for you.

EG’s insurance partners
We are partnered with two independent insurance brokerage firms to provide our members with comprehensive workplace insurance and creative employee health and benefit solutions.

• Southern California: Bolton & Company, our insurance partner for members located in Southern California, has been in business for nearly 75 years and is a former recipient of “Agency of the Year” award presented by Insurance Journal and Insurance Brokerage Agents of the West.
• Northern California: Woodruff-Sawyer & Co. is our preferred broker in Northern California and is one of the largest independent insurance brokerage firms in the nation.

Both Bolton and Woodruff work with preferred carriers and the broad market to identify the best insurance carriers for our members’ needs and develop special programs for EG members, including a new Employment Practices Liability program, designed specifically for EG members.

For more information on our insurance partnership and related insurance and benefits offerings, visit our website at www.employersgroup.com, or to be put in touch with either of our insurance partners, please call 1-800-748-8484 Option 3.

Compliance Posters –
Fewer Updates But Changes None The Less

The good news regarding compliance posters for 2006 is that there are significantly fewer changes then in recent years. The bad news (you knew it wasn’t all good, right?) is that there are still some updates that you as an HR professional need to address. The most glaring changes requiring updates are:

• "Discrimination and Harassment are Prohibited by Law", Assembly bill AB1669 passed in 2005 revising text in reference to "time to file complaints" laws.
• Cal/OSHA revised Safety and Health Protection on the job due to relocation of the Headquarters office and clarifications of Regional and District offices.

Both of these posting requirements can be addressed by simply updating your All-in-One posters. The new 2006 posters will be available at the end of December 2005 and may be pre-ordered at any time.

And, as a special offer, through the end of the year you’ll receive 10% off all your posters orders through Employers Group*. To order please call our Member Service Center at (800) 748-8484. Or, you may visit our EG Store . So don’t delay! Get your posters and get in compliance!

* Listed prices on our website are already discounted.

Abra HRMS with Payroll Your Way

Whether you like to do your payroll in-house or outsource to a service bureau, you can now do it either way with Abra HR and Payroll. EG has partnered with one of the top ranked HRMS/Payroll software companies, Sage Software, (formerly Best Software) to bring you the leading Abra HR—and give you a choice in how you process your payroll.

You can choose their traditional payroll module, fully integrated with the rest of Abra’s leading HR software, or you now have the option to move your payroll to their cutting-edge, web-based outsourced solution. The low-cost, web technology service provides total payroll and tax compliance and easily integrates with Abra HR for a full HR/Payroll solution.

With this easy to use, comprehensive, fully-outsourced service, you benefit from:

• Standard Payroll available 24x7: standard payroll reports, real-time customer notification and no penalties guarantee
• Employee payment: printing paychecks from your desktop (optional printing and delivery), check signature imaging and direct deposit service
• Tax Filing: federal/state and local tax table updates and calculations, federal/state and local tax filing, and year end (W-2) processing service
• Reporting: standard payroll reports, real-time electronic payroll reports, payroll pre-register confirmation report, real-time “out of the box” General Ledger posting, benefit accrual tracking, report delivery option and state new hire reporting
• Integration: same look and feel as Abra HRMS interface and syncs all HR data with payroll service, including benefits enrollment, employee attendance, payroll transactions

The total payroll solution from a single source!

Sage Software has exactly what you have been looking for. For more information on Abra HR, Abra Payroll or Sage Payroll Services, call Joyce Weldon at 213-765-3999.