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The Office Party – Are You Covered?

Thanks to the pandemic, you were forced to cancel the holiday party at your office last year. But because your company has come to grips with how to navigate around COVID-19, your company holiday party has been given the green light. Your employees always look forward to the event and you welcome the opportunity show your gratitude, by ensuring the affair is upscale and entertaining. You’ve decided to hold the event at your corporate office, and your employees from around the nation are looking forward to flying in.

Although the focus will be on the merriment of the holidays, it’s also important to make sure you that have the coverage you require to protect your business.

Your general liability insurance will cover most issues. However, you should make sure you speak to your Enscoe Long insurance agent, to assess any additional areas where you may be left vulnerable.

Have you considered what type of coverage you may need if one of your employees injures themselves, while decorating the office or by simply attending the party? Talk to your Enscoe Long insurance agent about this issue.  Your agent will help you understand the complexity of workplace injuries at the office vs. a company sponsored event at restaurant, hotel, or banquet hall, etc.  If you do decide to host your party at a restaurant, this allows you to share the liability with the restaurant or hotel—although you may still be liable in many cases.

If you are going to be serving alcohol at the party, you could need additional coverage. This coverage could be an add-on to your general liability insurance. You may also want to consider special event insurance that specifically covers alcohol related issues. It’s also important to note that special event insurance also includes coverage for the cost of the party,  if the event has to be canceled due to weather or other circumstances beyond your control.

But what about a sexual harassment claim? You would hope that it would never happen at your company, but it’s your job to make sure you have protected your business from any threat, no matter how distasteful.

The best way to avoid a holiday party incident is to set your expectations ahead of time. Make sure you communicate those expectations to your employees via the holiday invitation, an email or a company newsletter.

Things you may want to consider:

  • Make sure your employees understand that you have a zero-tolerance policy, with respect to discrimination or sexual harassment.
  • Set the tone of the party by making sure that your management team does not drink in excess.
  • Offer an Uber, Lyft or cab service to all your employees free of charge.
  • Hire professional bartenders to watch out for anyone who is drinking too much.
  • Contact your maintenance team to review any areas that may be a cause of concern, such as icy sidewalks or any other areas that are under construction, etc.

The best way to ensure a safe, fun and relaxing holiday party is through careful thought and preparation. The Enscoe Long team will be there to give you the peace of mind you need, so you can enjoy the party too. To get started, drop us an email and we’ll make sure you have everything you need to protect what matters most. Happy Holidays!

Enscoe Long Specializes In Nonprofit Insurance – Part 3

Enscoe Long Insurance Group specializes in providing customized insurance for nonprofits. In fact, we provide insurance to over 200 nonprofit agencies. There are a variety of insurance products, which nonprofits should carry.

This week we are focusing on specialized insurance products.

Directors and Officers Liability Insurance (D&O)

D&O insurance policies are common and necessary to cover the actions and decisions of the board directors and officers in your nonprofit. Regardless of your organization’s size and board experience, Enscoe Long usually recommends that all nonprofit organizations purchase D&O insurance protection. Why?

Nonprofit board members and officers should be protected if they’re named in a lawsuit alleging fraud or financial mismanagement. Creditors may pursue a board member, if their investment decisions cause their nonprofit to fail to meet its financial obligations.

D&O insurance can protect directors and officers against the legal costs of a lawsuit and any damages, if the court rules in the plaintiff’s favor.

Policies may exclude coverage for criminal or fraudulent behavior, claims between directors or other situations. Since D&O insurance only applies to officers and the board of directors, your nonprofit still needs general liability insurance to address other risks.

D&O liability insurance will not provide coverage for what many would consider the worst acts of the directors or officers, including but not limited to dishonesty, fraud, criminal or malicious acts committed deliberately. D&O insurance will not provide coverage for bodily or personal injury of a person or physical damage to a third person’s property.

Sexual Misconduct Liability

Nonprofit improper sexual conduct and abuse coverage provides protection for actual and alleged claims of various types of abuse, by your employees and volunteers to third parties.

Sexual misconduct liability pays for defense and settlement, if the plaintiff wins their case in court. Claims may include client lawsuits against an employee, volunteer, or contractor due to abuse or from negligent supervision resulting in abuse or molestation.

General and professional liability policies exclude these risks, so organizations that serve at-risk populations such as seniors, youth, or the disabled should consider this coverage.

For non-profit organizations that are able and willing to take steps to control and minimize their abuse / molestation exposure, insurance coverage is available through Enscoe Long Insurance Group. Nonprofits can also take basic anticipatory measures such as background/drug checks, diversity training, how to respect others in the workplace training and enforcing rules that prevent one-on-one isolated contact with vulnerable persons.

Cyber Liability Insurance

Nonprofits are just as vulnerable to data breaches as any other for-profit company. Nonprofits often retain and manage very sensitive data. Confidential client, donor, and employee data are all at risk, especially if your organization uses mobile technologies, such as laptops and cellphones.

Does your nonprofit:

  • Conduct e-commerce on its website, such as processing donations or event registrations?
  • Store and transfer (such as by sending to the cloud) “personally identifiable information,” about anyone, including donors? (Common examples of personally identifiable information include: clients’ medical information; employee records, including drivers’ licenses, addresses, and social security numbers.)
  • Collect information on donors, patrons, newsletter subscribers?

If your nonprofit engages in any of the above, you may want to take steps to address cybersecurity threats.

Cyber liability insurance covers expenses associated with data breaches, such as costs to defend claims by state regulators, fines and penalties, credit monitoring, and identity theft losses. Your Enscoe Long insurance agent can walk you through your options.

Interested in learning more? Check out our previous blog posts on liability and property insurance for nonprofits.

Ready to get started? Visit us at our website or drop us an email today!