Other top contenders for the most seasonal openings are shipping employers, including UPS and FedEx. Forbes’ research found 6,051 new job postings with UPS and 2,733 with FedEx.

Forty percent of employers plan on hiring seasonal workers full time this year, which is up 31 percent from last year. Jacquelyn Smith, “Who’s Hiring the Most This Holiday Season,” www.forbes.com (Nov. 9, 2010).

In July of this year, the National Retail Federation researched the use and scope of criminal background screening in the retail industry. The survey collected information from 96 employers, ranging from restaurants to department stores to specialty retailers and grocery stores.

The survey found that 97 percent of retailers utilize background screening as part of their applicant hiring process and 87 percent use criminal record checks. The positions most commonly screened using a criminal background history include Store Manager (96 percent), Assistant Store Manager (94 percent), Senior Executive (96 percent), and Distribution Center Employees (95 percent).

When the holiday season arrives, many managers and supervisors are faced with the time crunch of hiring numerous employees in a short amount of time. Even though hiring managers may feel tempted to take shortcuts in the interview and hiring process, this is not the time to do it. With seasonal hiring up and with forty percent of employers planning to keep holiday workers on full time once the season passes, accurate and thorough criminal background checks are as important as ever.

Some of the most common and important background checks include Internet searches, criminal background checks and referrals. To learn more about background checks, log on to read Social Media Background Checks – A New Tool or a New Source of Liability?  and Use the Scalpel, Not the Cleaver When Using Background Checks to Cut Applicants.

There is a difference in where you buy your protection. Many people don’t realize there are three sources for insurance:

Your Independent Insurance Agent:

• Is a licensed professional with strong customer and community ties.
• Gives you excellent service and competitive prices because your agent can access the insurance coverage from more than one company.
• Unlike other agents, is not beholden to any one company; thus, you don’t need to change agencies as your insurance and service needs change.
• Assists you when you have a claim.
• Is your consultant, working with you as you determine your needs.
• Offers you a choice of insurance plans and programs.
• Is a value hunter who looks after your pocketbook in finding the best combination of price, coverage and service.
• Offers one-stop shopping for a full range of products-home, renters, auto, business, life and health.
• Can periodically review your coverage to keep up with your changing insurance needs.
• Treats you like a person, not just another number.
• Customer satisfaction is the key to an independent agent’s livelihood. So, serving you is your independent agent’s most-important concern.

There Is A Difference!

Article courtesy Minnesota Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers. CLICK HERE to learn more!

This is a safety news alert on a large settlement awarded to a plaintiff in a lawsuit from a propane explosion.  The article does not go into how the explosion occurred, but the explosion happened in 2004.  Eight months before the explosion the property owner Mr. Kendall installed the propane system and appliances himself.  Then he had the defendants come out and set a tank and the service person performed a leak test.  A leak was found with the water heater.  The serviceperson shut off the valve to the appliance and told the owner there was an issue with his water heater.  The service person did not tag and lock-out the appliance nor did the defendant follow-up with Mr. Kendall to see if repairs where made so they could come back out and perform another leak test.  Later Mr. Kendall replaced the control valve on the water heater himself.  On the day of the explosion Mr. Kendall and his wife were on a cruise but their family was house-sitting for them.  At 5 in the morning one of the family members woke up and thought they smelled gas, but then fell back asleep two hours later the building which included a horse arena and living quarters exploded. In the trial it was also brought to attention that the defendant had not properly supplied safety information to the customer.  Due to these actions the defendant which was a propane company that was owned by a couple of local electrical cooperatives was found 65% at fault and Mr. Kendall was found 35% at fault.

In an effort to assist small businesses with important questions regarding their online security needs, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) will launch a small business cyber security planner this month.

According to FCC Chairman, Julius Genachowski, many small businesses lack the financial capital to allocate to IT security, calling them “low-hanging fruit” for cyber criminals. The FCC hopes to provide valuable assistance to them with the new Small Biz Cyber Planner. This online, interactive tool will assist small business owners in establishing the steps to make their organizations more secure. Matt Cover, “FCC Chairman Sees Small Businesses As ‘Low-hanging Fruit’ for Cyber Criminals,” www.cnsnews.com (Oct. 24, 2011).

According to the FCC, a new survey conducted by Symantec and The National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA) found that only 52 percent of small businesses have a cyber security plan or strategy. The survey also revealed that 77 percent of small businesses do not have a formal Internet Security policy for employees, and at least 40 percent do not have a formal plan to address a data breach or loss.

In addition to the Small Biz Cyber Planner, scheduled for release this month, the FCC has already published another website to help small entrepreneurs trying to reach new markets through broadband connectivity and other online tools. The website includes a Cyber Security Tip Sheet which outlines the top ten ways entrepreneurs can protect their companies and customers from cyber criminals and threats. The site also provides links to resources including the best computer security tools, free training materials and links to U.S. Government Resources. Go to the Small Business Cyber Security website to access these resources.

Small-business owners trust independent insurance agents and commercial insurance carriers more than other financial services businesses, according to carrier-sponsored survey.

Some good news regarding the insurance industry’s reputation: Small-business owners trust independent insurance agents and commercial insurance carriers significantly more than banks, health care companies and stock brokers.

As part of a broader effort to stay appraised of the evolving needs of small businesses, The Hanover Insurance Group Inc., a P&C insurer, commissioned The Pert Group, a third-party independent consulting and research firm to conduct a study. The study, based on a survey of 501 small-business owners with less than 30 employees, reveals that independent agents are trusted 48 percent more than banks, 97 percent more than health care companies and 295 percent more than stock brokers. Carriers are trusted 25 percent more than banks, 66 percent more than health care companies and 150 percent more than stock brokers.

Trust was identified by respondents as the single most important consideration when choosing an insurance agent. Eighty-six percent of small business owners rated trust “very important.” Competitive pricing, responsiveness and value were also rated important.

The study also uncovered that small-business owners actually have the highest level of trust in independent agents, compared with all the other financial services industries in the survey. In fact, the majority of small-business owners reported that they consider independent agents trustworthy.

“The trust that small-business owners place in independent agents, underscores Hanover’s strategy of partnering closely to distribute our unique portfolio of small-business products and services through a selective group of professional independent agents,” said Michael Keane, president, small commercial at The Hanover.

This article was posted on Insurance Networking News, November 11, 2011

More than four in 10 vehicle occupants killed on Minnesota roads from 2008 to 2010 were not wearing seat belts, the state Department of Public Safety said on Thursday.

“We’ve made great progress to improve the state’s seat-belt use, yet in many parts of the state motorists are making the poor choice to travel unbelted, and they are paying the ultimate price for taking that risk,” Donna Berger, acting director of the state’s Office of Traffic Safety, said in a statement accompanying release of the data.

In the three years, 932 vehicle occupants were killed in crashes; 409 — or 44 percent — of those were not buckled up.

The state also highlighted the 20 counties where the highest percentage of vehicle fatalities involved occupants who didn’t buckle up. The list was dominated by sparsely populated counties with few total fatalities. Kanabec and Wadena had three fatalities each, all unbelted.

In Martin County, among the 20 counties that had at least 10 fatalities in the three-year period, nine of 13 (69 percent) vehicle fatality victims were unbelted. Similar ratios were reported in Itasca (eight of 12, 67 percent), Rice (nine of 14, 64 percent) and Winona (10 of 16, 63 percent).

At the other end of the statistical ladder, Blue Earth County reported two vehicle occupants out of 10 (20 percent) killed were unbelted. Next were Freeborn (four of 19, 21 percent) and Renville (three of 14, 21 percent).

In the metro area: Scott (five of 17, 29 percent), Washington (eight of 25, 32 percent), Anoka (9 of 25, 36 percent); Hennepin (34 of 90, 38 percent), Ramsey (11 of 29, 38 percent); Dakota (16 of 36, 44 percent), and Carver (10 of 19, 53 percent).

Law enforcement recently completed a two-week seat-belt compliance campaign. From Oct. 14-27, more than 10,000 motorists were cited for violations. In a similar effort last year, the total topped 13,000.

Article courtesy www.startribune.com | Paul Walsh • 612-673-4482

An Iowa farmer was tragically killed when the hose broke while applying anhydrous ammonia. Several people who attempted to rescue him, including his son, were also taken to the hospital.

Make sure that NH3 hoses are inspected for defects before sending them out on applicators or tanks. If there are any soft areas, flat spots, worn spots from rubbing, cuts, or expired hoses, make sure they are replaced immediately.

A television report can be found at this website: http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/Iowa-Farmer-Dies-From-Anhyrdrous-Ammonia-Leak-132925848.html

Reliable transportation is especially important in the winter. Not only should you keep your vehicle in top operating condition all year round – for safety and fuel economy, it is especially important to get it winterized to avoid any unpleasant or dangerous situation while traveling in frigid weather. Check the following:

• Ignition system
• Fuel system
• Belts
• Fluid levels
• Brakes
• Exhaust system
• Wiper blades and windshield washer fluid
• Snow tires
• Tire tread and pressure
• Defroster
• Proper grade oil
• Cooling system
• Battery
• Lights
• Antifreeze

Always fill the gasoline tank before entering open country, even for a short distance, and stop to fill-up long before the tank begins to run low. Keeping your tank as full as possible will minimize condensation, providing the maximum advantage in case of trouble. 

A Citizens Band (CB) radio and/or cellular phone can be very useful to you or another stranded motorist in case of an emergency.

• Clear all windows and lights of frost and snow.
• Drive with your headlights on.
• Stock your car with basic winter driving equipment: A scraper and brush, small shovel, jumper cables, tow chain and a bag of sand or cat litter for tire traction.
• Also include road flares, a blanket, heavy boots, warm clothing, and flashlight with batteries.
• Remember to reverse the batteries in the case to avoid accidental switching, and burnout. Warm the batteries between your legs before using them.

Keep an emergency survival kit in the car. You can pack the items into a three pound coffee can.

For more helpful winter safety tips CLICK HERE!

This article was published on www.dot.wisconsin.gov

Six employees lost their lives and two severely burned.  Everyone reading the attached article should understand the importance of controlling the fuel source, dust, and how effective a scheduled housekeeping program can be at preventing the deadly secondary explosions.