Soquel, CA – Kids’ Chance of California is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide need-based educational scholarships to the children of California workers who have been fatally or seriously injured on the job. Every year, Kids’ Chance of California does a push to high schools across the state and campaigns at industry conferences… [Read more]
Work Force & Human Resource News
Former USPS Carrier Facing Federal Indictment for False Statements to Obtain Disability
Greenbelt, MD – A federal grand jury recently indicted Ronald S. Repass of Poolesville, Maryland, on the federal charges of false statements or fraud to obtain federal employees’ disability compensation. The indictment was returned on August 5, 2020. At today’s initial appearance in U.S. District Court in Greenbelt, U.S. Magistrate Judge Timothy J. Sullivan ordered… [Read more]
CA Labor Commissioner’s Office Files Lawsuits Against Uber and Lyft for “Systemic Wage Theft”
Oakland, CA – The Labor Commissioner’s Office recently announced it has filed separate lawsuits against transportation companies Uber and Lyft for committing wage theft by misclassifying employees as independent contractors. Uber and Lyft have misclassified their drivers, which has deprived these workers of a host of legal protections in violation of California labor law, the… [Read more]
Texas Mutual, VFIS of Texas Award $500K to Emergency Service Organizations
Austin, TX – Texas Mutual Insurance Company, a policyholder-owned company, and Volunteer Firemen’s Insurance Services of Texas (VFIS of Texas) will be awarding a total of $500,000 to nonprofit emergency service organizations across Texas through two separate grant programs. $200,000 will be designated for a financial relief grant program to help provide funding assistance to… [Read more]
CA Woman Pleads Guilty to Workers’ Comp Fraud and Identity Theft
San Rafael, CA – A California woman recently pleaded guilty to two felony counts of insurance fraud and identity theft after falsifying documents to receive an additional $10,590 on her workers’ compensation claim. Marlene Cavalcanti, employed as an executive assistant, reportedly fell at work and sustained injuries. As a result of her subsequent workers’ compensation… [Read more]
ASSP Introduces Virtual Safety Education Series
Park Ridge, IL – Occupational safety and health professionals facing the challenges of shrinking travel budgets and widespread physical distancing can stay current on best practices through a new series of virtual education events from the American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP). The immersive events – offshoots of the Society’s annual SafetyFOCUS education event –… [Read more]
CA Business Owner Pleads to Six Felonies in Workers’ Compensation Fraud Case
Martinez, CA – Business owner Maurosan Milhomem recently pleaded no contest to six felonies related to his complex fraud schemes of insurance premium fraud and payroll tax fraud. He also admitted a white collar crime enhancement that he caused the loss of more than $500,000. Milhomem is the owner of Viking Pavers, Inc., a construction… [Read more]
NSC Honors 37 Organizations with 2020 Industry Leader Awards
Itasca, IL – The National Safety Council announced 37 organizations will receive Industry Leader Awards in 2020 for excellent safety performance within their industries. The Industry Leader Awards are one component of the NSC Occupational Awards Program, which recognizes outstanding safety achievements of NSC members and represents the top 5% of member companies that have… [Read more]
Guest Post: Workplace Mental Health is Even More Critical Now
By Kathy Espinoza, AVP, Ergonomics and Safety, Keenan and Associates Mental health is in the forefront as an impact of the coronavirus pandemic. A new article in The Atlantic discusses widespread increases of anxiety, depression and substance abuse since the onset of COVID-19. A Kaiser Family Foundation survey found that this public health crisis has… [Read more]
Cal/OSHA Urges Employers to Follow State’s Guidance on Protecting Workers from COVID-19
Oakland, CA – Cal/OSHA is urging all employers in California to carefully review and follow the state’s COVID-19 workplace safety and health guidance to ensure their workers are protected from the virus. The guidance will help employers comply with their obligations to implement effective measures to train and protect employees at each worksite. “Protecting employees… [Read more]