We take our Employee Culture and Engagement seriously here at Wedgwood. It's continously in the Top 3 risks facing businesses. Acquiring, Retaining and Keeping the best talent is vital to your business success. Susan Power, of Higher Talent offers some great advice on creating an effective Employee Handbook... thanks Susan for contributing...

Reduce the Risk of Employee Litigation

Who is it good for... you, or them?

Providing electronic access for clients is a new trend. Consumers demand 24 hour access in many cases and providing electronic copies of invoices, statements, documents either via email or an on-line portal is a great way to help improve the service that businesses provide to their clients. It's also promoted as a way to be environmentally friendly and save a few trees by printing less paper.

As I was driving to work the other morning, I noticed someone with their cell phone up to their face, texting away. It was so blatant it was hard to miss. It really caught my attention, and made me take a look around. Between Water St. and the Avalon Mall, I saw 5 other people either texting or with their cell phones up to the ear, deep in conversation. Using a phone without hands free operation is moving violation here in Newfoundland and Labrador, but my experience, and conversations with many others, gives me enough anecdotal evidence to say that this is one law that is completely disregarded.

Not sure what this has to do with risk.... But I think this is advice that can help some people...

I've written a few blogs over the years about team productivity, building corporate culture and strategic hiring. These are all areas that help ensure that we recruit the right people and ensure that they have an environment where they can meet their potential and be as productive as they can be.

This morning, CBC featured a story on some Canadians who had purchased Travel Insurance from CIBC and RBC, and subsequently, were denied coverage when they fell ill in the United States. They had purchased insurance, only had to answer some very general questions, and then were shocked when coverage was denied for reasons that seemed unfair. The full story can be found at http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/travel-insurance-doesn-t-pay-for-these-bank-customers-1.2651318.

Around 10 years ago, insurance was a hot topic in Newfoundland. Rates had risen sharply, customers were upset, insurance reform was debated and the government introduced additional legislation which it hoped would help control costs, protect consumers and keep rates down.

Since then, we've seen a relatively stable market for personal insurance. Coverage has been available at a reasonable cost, except for the most high risk scenarios. Prices for automobile insurance, while still by far the highest in Atlantic Canada, have continued to increase, but for most consumers, at a manageable level.

Our firm has been trying to get a handle on how to use Social Media to build better relationships with our clients and enhance our brand in the marketplace. We've seen a steady increase in the number of follows and the level of engagement but it's still early days and we are still learning.

I was scanning my Twitter feed when I realized that on a personal level, I've discovered the ability of social media to build a relationship with others without even realizing it. One of my interests outside of work is Horse Racing. I've always been amazed at the beauty, heart and courage of the Thoroughbred. In 2012, a horse named Paynter almost won the Belmont Stakes (the last race of the famed "Triple Crown"), losing by a nose in the last strides. He was viewed as an up and coming star.

A story recently ran on CBC about the strain being placed on workloads for Doctors issuing sick notes for short term illnesses.

It certainly elicited a lot of comment on social media. Certainly, there have been stories written in the past about the amount of sick leave taken/accumulated in certain government departments/agencies. Ignoring the whole debate around union benefits/collective bargaining, and the inflexibility this may cause, I think there is some perspective most small and medium-sized businesses can take around this.

y Tom Hickey, President, Wedgwood (opinions are my own, not those of Wedgwood Insurance.)

Now that there is perceived stability in our power supply once again, the fall-out from the last week's event is clear. We've had Government order a review of the operation and management of our electrical system, phone-in radio shows are jammed with consumers complaining and social media is ablaze with political pundits of every stripe with their take on the situation and arguing over whether or not we experienced a crisis.

The complaining has begun. It's a tradition in Newfoundland to talk about the weather. Common statements this time of the year include:

"Winter's early this year."

"It's some slippery out."

"The sidewalks are like ice."

Often, people and vehicles are slip, sliding away (catch the Paul Simon reference?), this time of the year. If you own a property, you are supposed to take the reasonable action necessary to make sure that it's safe for visitors.

Avoid having a lawsuit as one of your Christmas Gifts this year, and take a few steps to minimize your exposure, and help you defend yourself if there is an incident.