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Social Media and Employee Liability - NLRB Report

Posted by Tom Henell on Sat, Jun 23, 2012 @ 07:17 AM

The consensus, to date, is that employee related claims arising from, or related to, Social Media has not reached the activity initially projected.  However, insurance companies still believe the exposure and potential liability is there.

The issue is that Social Media has the potential to blur the line between personal and professional behavior.  It is important for companies of all sizes to maintain a Social Media policy as part of their employee handbook.  And, to keep up with relevant changes to make sure their policy is current with acceptable standards.

The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has issued a new report on acceptable social media policy and handbooks language. The report details what they believe is acceptable and unacceptable employee handbook guidelines around the use of social media.

Download NLRB Report; Report of the Acting General Counsel Concerning Social Media Cases

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Tags: Social Media, social media policy, liability

Compelling Reasons your firm should have Employment Practices Liability (EPLI) policy

Posted by Tom Henell on Mon, Nov 22, 2010 @ 12:07 PM

Social Media has changed the rules

Social Media has become prevalent in our society and has the tendency to blur the lines between personal and professional exposure.  What your employees do on their personal time, or on personal website platforms while in your office, can impact you.  NAPLIA has developed specific guidelines for amendments to your Employee Handbook (www.naplia.com/social_media) and recommends every firm consider Employment Practices Liability Insurance (EPLI).

You are more likely to be sued by an employee than have a property loss

It’s a fact, you are more likely to be sued by an employee than have a property loss.  Yet, few firms would consider going without property insurance, while the percentage of firms that forego EPLI is significant.

Health or Benefit Reductions increase risk

Any reductions to employee benefits, including the reduction of 401k matching benefits, can increase the risk of EPLI claims. 

Economic slow down

Economic changes are rarely in our control, and unfortunately changes in the economy can directly impact your business.  It is a smart move to consider EPLI prior to having to consider any lay-offs, cut-backs, or changes to staffing.

Can you afford not to?

Over 60% of the employee liability claims filed annually are against small employers, and it is estimated that one EPL suit could bankrupt 50% of  small businesses without Employment Practices Liability Insurance.  Nobody likes to think it could happen to them, but with these statistics can you afford not to investigate insurance that could protect your business.

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Tags: Social Media, Employment Practices Liability, EPLI

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