The legality and conditions under which employers can terminate an employee for testing positive for marijuana, particularly when the drug was consumed outside of the workplace, form the crux of employer drug-free workplace policies. The question delves deep into employee rights and employer obligations, especially within the context of state-specific regulations such as those found in Wisconsin. Drug-Free Workplace Policies
Mastercard is pioneering a transformative approach to healthcare payments, addressing some of the sector’s most persistent inefficiencies. Their innovative solution centers on virtual cards, bringing significant advancements in payment speed and transparency. This initiative promises to ease cash flow troubles for healthcare providers, who have long grappled with manual, fragmented payment systems. By collaborating with key partners like India’s financial
AXA, a global leader in insurance and asset management, and Amazon Web Services (AWS) have announced a groundbreaking collaboration to develop the AXA Digital Commercial Platform (DCP). This sophisticated platform aims to enhance risk management by integrating industry, business, and environmental data with cutting-edge geospatial analytics and artificial intelligence technologies. The AXA DCP will help clients worldwide monitor assets and
The insurance industry often conjures images of traditional risk assessment and underwriting, but Westfield Insurance’s 1848 Ventures is challenging that narrative through the innovative use of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning. Launched in January 2018, 1848 Ventures operates beyond the conventional insurance sector, aiming to provide AI-powered B2B SaaS solutions tailored for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs). Under the
A proposal by Betsey Stevenson, a professor at the University of Michigan, seeks to amend the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) to ensure U.S. workers receive paid time off (PTO). This proposed amendment, published in a white paper by The Brookings Institution’s Hamilton Project, intends to create a fairer and more consistent PTO policy across the nation. Proposal Mechanics Stevenson’s
A recent incident involving Ernst & Young (EY) in the United States has brought to light the complex dynamics between corporate policy enforcement and employee behavior. Dozens of EY employees were terminated for attending multiple online training sessions simultaneously, deemed a violation of EY’s Global Code of Conduct and US Learning Policy. EY emphasized that integrity and ethics are integral
The Department of Labor (DOL) has released new guidelines aimed at steering the deployment of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies in workplaces across the United States. Reflecting the Biden administration’s commitment to balanced AI integration, the guidelines emphasize employee rights and job quality. Issued on October 16, 2024, these principles respond to the 2023 executive order on AI and highlight the
Navigating the complexities of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) is critical for employers, particularly when determining which employees are exempt from overtime. Many may be familiar with the “white-collar” exemptions covering executive, administrative, and professional roles, but misclassifications remain a significant risk. The recent Mayfield v. U.S. Department of Labor ruling from the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals
Fintech companies are at the forefront of technological innovation within the financial services industry. By leveraging cutting-edge technology, these firms provide faster, more efficient services compared to traditional financial institutions. However, this same technological edge exposes fintech companies to unique cybersecurity threats that must be carefully mitigated. This article examines how fintech companies address these distinctive cybersecurity challenges, informed by
In a significant stride toward modernizing the insurance sector, Diesta, a London-based B2B SaaS company, has successfully secured €3.5 million in a seed funding round. The substantial investment was led by FinTech Collective, a New York-based venture capital firm, with additional backing from Commerce Ventures, Restive Ventures, and SixThirty. This latest investment follows a successful €1.8 million pre-seed round from
Global businesses, especially small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), often face significant challenges in managing risk and maintaining cash flow. These problems are particularly acute when it comes to offering trade credit and handling invoicing procedures. Recent developments have shown that partnerships between financial service providers can offer innovative solutions to these age-old issues. One such collaboration is between Allianz Trade
TTEC Services Corp., a global customer service company, is facing a class-action lawsuit filed in the Colorado District Court. The legal challenge, brought forward by a remote employee, alleges that TTEC violated federal and state labor laws by requiring remote customer service representatives to purchase their own work equipment without providing adequate reimbursement. This practice is claimed to have adversely
