Back in the early 1980s, we bought a new photocopy machine for the office. Always looking for a good deal, Opal took an offer from Pitney Bowes (PB) as they wanted to get into the copy business and compete with Xerox. The machine is state-of-the-art. It collates, staples and at this price, it should make her coffee (I believe somewhere around $12,000). With this being a new venture for PB, they offered a great service agreement and would respond to a service call within three hours during the workday. Weeks one and two, the service guy is out three days each week. The regional manager contacts her to apologize, stating he is sure it is getting better. His mistake is that he gives her his phone number. Week three, the machine still jams on even the most basic jobs and Back in the early 1980s, we bought a new photocopy machine for the office. Always looking for a good deal, Opal took an offer from Pitney Bowes (PB) as they wanted to get into the copy business and compete with Xerox. The machine is state-of-the-art. It collates, staples and at this price, it should make her coffee (I believe somewhere around $12,000). With this being a new venture for PB, they offered a great service agreement and would respond to a service call within three hours during the workday. Weeks one and two, the service guy is out three days each week. The regional manager contacts her to apologize, stating he is sure it is getting better. His mistake is that he gives her his phone number. Week three, the machine still jams on even the most basic jobs and the manager is getting an earful. The service guy starts coming to the office without a call; this is a bad machine. Week four hits, and that’s the end. At 3 p.m. on Friday, Opal calls the regional manager ...
Opal: I think you should come and get your machine.
Manager: Yes, I agree. I am very sorry for the problem. We will be out first thing Monday to pick it up.
Opal: Really? Well, that’s your choice. However, it looks like rain to me.
Manager: WHAT?
Opal: I had it removed to the parking lot. Come and get your @#$%^&* machine!

Would you believe service time got cut down to 25 minutes for pick-up?!

On May 26th, the U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission issued a news release stating there is a voluntary recall of several retrofit or replacement drain covers that were installed new or as a result of the "Virginia Graeme Baker Pool & Safety Act" which was effective Dec 19, 2008. Per the recall, "the drain covers were incorrectly rated to handle the flow of water through the cover, which could pose a possible entrapment hazard to swimmers and bathers." Visit www.cpsc.gov and look for "Pool Drain Recall" for more information. Each firm below has a website with photos of the recalled drain cover models. Please verify that your pool is not subject to this recall, or if your pool has a recalled drain cover, take immediate steps to have the drain cover(s) replaced.

Eight manufacturers are cooperating with the recall:
Company	Model Information (websites)	Dates Sold	Remedy
A&A	aamfg.com	December 2008-April 2011	Replacement or Retrofit
AquaStar	aquastarpoolproducts.com	December 2008-April 2011	Replacement or Retrofit
Color Match	poolfittings.com	December 2008-April 2011	Replacement or Retrofit
Custom Molded Products	c-m-p.com	December 2008-April 2011	Replacement or Retrofit
Hayward Pool Products	hayward-pool.com	December 2008-April 2011	Replacement or Retrofit
Pentair Water Pool & Spa	pentairpool.com	June 2009-April 2011	Replacement or Retrofit
Rising Dragon	risingdragonplastics.com	December 2008-April 2011	Replacement or Retrofit
Waterway	waterwayplastics.com	December 2008-April 2011	Replacement or Retrofit

IMPORTANT NOTICE—The information and suggestions presented by Barrett & Associates is for your consideration in your loss prevention efforts. They are not intended to be complete or definitive in identifying all hazards associated with your business, preventing workplace accidents, or complying with any safety related, or other, laws or regulations. If you would like to work with us to alter them for your specific hazards of your business, please call 800-775-3571.

Overview of recent claims

Employee Dishonesty–We had two more claims filed for employee thief. Both were long-time managers with amounts taken in excess of $20,000 each.

Flooding–We had flooding at a couple of operations from heavy rain. Note: Please remember that if you have concern about flooding then you need to have a separate flood policy.

Wind Claims–A very active spring for damage to buildings and property.

Now that school is out for summer, many Michiganders will be leaving home for a family vacation. The Office of Financial and Insurance Regulation (OFIR) recently provided auto and property insurance tips to consumers before they hit the road for a family trip.

"Before leaving for a summer getaway it’s important for Michigan consumers to know what to do if they’re in an accident or if something happens to their vacation property," said OFIR Commissioner Kevin Clinton. Below are OFIR’s tips for consumers planning summer travel:

Auto insurance
Before leaving on vacation:

• Make sure your insurance certificate is in the car.
• Double-check that phone numbers for your insurance company and agent are listed on the certificate. If not, make note of these numbers to keep with your ID card.

If you’re in an accident:

• Check for any injuries and administer first aid, if necessary.
• Contact the proper authorities and inform them of any injuries.
• Regardless of the circumstances, report the accident to the police.
• Record the name, address and phone number of the other driver. Always write down the make, model and license plate number of all vehicles involved.
• Collect the names, addresses and phone numbers of all passengers and witnesses.
• Take photos of the accident scene, if possible.
• Ask the investigating officer how to obtain a copy of the police report.
• Notify your insurance agent or company immediately.

Property Insurance
Renting a Vacation Property:
If you’re renting a property this summer, your homeowners insurance policy might extend to the property where you’ll be staying. Generally, as a renter you are not responsible for damages caused by unavoidable accidents, such as faulty plumbing. However, there are circumstances where you could be considered partially responsible for damages due to negligence, and you may be expected to pay for them. Personal belongings you take on vacation—such as a laptop, camera or clothing—are generally covered by your primary homeowners policy.

Umbrella Policies:
If you have an umbrella policy in place to provide excess liability coverage, the policy should automatically extend to any new property you purchase or rent. To be sure the umbrella meets your liability expectations and that there are no exclusions in the policy that might be triggered by the new property, read your policy before making your down payment.

Social media can be an excellent, cost effective way to market your business and communicate with your customers. However, with the increasing popularity of social media, comes the risk of employees using these sites at home or on the job in a way that could negatively affect your business. Whether your business is just testing the waters of social media or diving in head first, it is extremely important to have a social media policy in place. While drafting a social media policy, keep in mind the following points:

• Prohibiting employees from engaging in social media while at the office will not keep them away from social media when at home.
• Encourage employees to conduct themselves in a professional manner as they do represent your company at all times.
• It may be acceptable to discuss employment in an online forum, but it is never okay to publish confidential customer or employer information.
• When participating in personal social media it is important that employees clearly communicate that their views are their own and do not reflect the opinions of the business.
• It is imperative to respect copyright, trademark and other advertising laws.
• Social media policies should include enforceable rules and consequences in order to maintain effectiveness.