Federal Employment Law Update – January 2018 | Virginia Benefit Advisors

WHD Revises Test for Unpaid Internships On January 5, 2018, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD) released a Field Assistance Bulletin (FAB No. 2018-2) establishing that the primary beneficiary test, rather than the six-point test, will determine whether interns at for-profit employers are employees under the federal Fair Labor Standards Act … Continued

Nothing Is Certain, But Death and LESS Taxes… | Virginia Benefit Advisors

On January 11, 2018, the Internal Revenue Service released its income tax withholding tables for 2018 reflecting changes made by the December 2017 tax reform legislation. The updated withholding information provides the new rates for employers to use during 2018. Employers are encouraged to use these tables as soon as possible but must use them by … Continued

Oral Health = Overall Health | Virginia Employee Benefits

Have you heard the saying “the eyes are the window to your soul”? Well, did you know that your mouth is the window into what is going on with the rest of your body? Poor dental health contributes to major systemic health problems. Conversely, good dental hygiene can help improve your overall health.  As a … Continued

Department of Labor Publishes Updated Penalties for OSHA Violations | Virginia Benefit Advisors

On January 2, 2018, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) published updated, inflation-adjusted penalties for violations of various laws regulated by the DOL and its internal components or divisions, including the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA). The DOL is required to adjust the level of civil monetary penalties for inflation by January 15 each … Continued

Are Supplemental Accident Insurance Payouts Taxable? | Virginia Benefit Advisors

Most health insurance plans cover emergency treatment, hospital stays and medical exams. If you are injured in an accident, your health insurance plan might not pay for all the incurred medical expenses. Supplemental accident insurance coverage pays cash benefits for illnesses or injuries caused by an accident, including fractures and physical therapy. The coverage is … Continued

How Changes to the Mileage Reimbursement Rate and Qualified Transportation Benefits Will Impact Employers in 2018 | Virginia Benefit Advisors

On December 14, 2017, the Internal Revenue Service released the 2018 standard mileage rates used to calculate deductible costs of operating vehicles for business purposes. The rate increased by one cent  from 53.5 cents in 2017 to 54.5 cents in 2018. Employers who adopt the IRS standard mileage reimbursement rate in their employee handbook or … Continued

The Importance of Therapeutic Communication in Healthcare | Virginia Benefit Advisors

The quality of a therapeutic relationship depends on the ability of the healthcare provider to communicate effectively. The term “therapeutic communication” is often used in the field of nursing; however, the process isn’t limited to nursing. Other healthcare professionals, friends and family members of a patient can implement the strategies of communicating in a therapeutic … Continued