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Letters Regarding 2018 Group Retro Refunds
You may have received, or will soon receive a letter from Ohio BWC stating that they are “unable to approve your request” to issue premium refunds based on 2018 Group Retrospective Rating. To recap, BWC chose to withhold 2018 Group Retro refunds from Ohio employers in light of the large dividend that was released to employers in 2020. Spooner appealed that decision on behalf of our clients with the intent of getting those Group Retro refunds paid out to participating employers, like your business. Spooner has maintained our stance and our fight over the last three years as the hearings and appeals process has continued to play out.
Why did we receive this letter?
These letters are a response to the protests we filed on behalf of Spooner clients who participated in 2018 Group Retro. We filed these requests to preserve our appeal rights, should we continue to be successful with the legal action that is now before the Court of Common Pleas. We have concerns that if we prevail in the legal proceedings, BWC may attempt to pay only the lead plaintiff in the case, as opposed to all Group Retro members.
Why now?
The final snapshot to determine refunds for the 2018 group retro program was on June 30, 2022. We filed the appeals at the end of June 2024 to comply with the two-year statute for filing protests with BWC.
What should we do now?
There is nothing that employers need to do at this time. If it becomes apparent that action is needed on the part of employers, our team will be in contact.
If you have additional questions about this letter or Spooner’s fight to get Ohio employers their Group Retro refunds, please reach out to your Client Services Manager or contact us at clientservices@spoonerinc.net.
Recruiting Services Now Available to Spooner Clients
Posted By Brandy King
November 17, 2025
Category: Recruiting, Hr, Hiring
Earlier this year, we added a seasoned recruiter to our growing team of experts! Samantha Lafollette comes to us with over ten years of experience in the staffing and recruiting industries and also serves as the Northeast Ohio Area Director of the Ohio Staffing & Search Association. SuretyHR’s recruiting services can be utilized by any of our clients trying to find the right candidates for open positions. We can help evaluate your needs, develop a job description and implement a recruiting plan, handle interview scheduling and assist your team in narrowing down the candidate pools. Our flexibility and competitive fee structure could be exactly what your organization needs to enhance your in-house resources and find the best person for the role. To learn more about our recruiting services, please contact Samantha LaFollette directly
Cleveland Bans Inquiries on Applicant Salary History
Posted By Brandy King
November 14, 2025
Category: Hr, Compliance, Human Resources, Payroll, Cleveland, Ohio, Hiring, Recruiting
Cleveland’s City Council approved a measure earlier this year prohibiting prospective employers from inquiring about an applicant’s salary history, and requires employers to include salary ranges in job postings. The new ordinance that became effective on October 27, 2025, applies to all Cleveland employers with 15 or more employees. The City of Cleveland is the latest of many municipalities (and even some states) across the U.S. that have passed similar laws in an effort to promote pay equity. Columbus passed a similar ordinance that took effect in 2024. Cleveland’s ordinance still permits discussing salary expectations with applicants, and doesn’t apply to applicants for internal transfer or promotion, salaries for positions set by collective bargaining agreements and governmental employers, other than the City of Cleveland itself. Considering the ordinance fails to define “salary range or scale,” complying with the new ordinance may leader employers to questions that don’t yet have answers. Employers found in violation of the ordinance may face civil fines up to $5000, depending on the number of violations within the last five years. If your business is based in the City of Cleveland and you have questions about how this may impact you, reach out to the SuretyHR team. If we aren’t able to directly answer your questions, we can engage our HR and legal partners to help you find the right
Year-End HR To-Do List
Posted By Brandy King
November 14, 2025
Category: Hr, Human Resources,
The final quarter of each year can be frustrating for HR departments and managers, as many companies choose to freeze their budgets this time of year. However, there are plenty of ways you can prepare for next year without much, if any, investment in 2025. Compliance: Make sure your organization has completed (and documented) required annual trainings, professional licenses are renewed, trade organization memberships renewed, etc. Review employee classifications, personnel files, etc. Compensation package review: Review pay structures for both hourly and salary, as well as benefits packages. You can use market comparisons, feedback from former employees’ exit interviews, and feedback from current employees to ensure you’re staying competitive. Remember: proactively paying employees what they’re worth is often easier (and less costly) than trying to match or beat a competitor’s offer to get them to stay put. Workforce Planning: Leadership should discuss potential for employee training for all levels of staff. Look back on the issues that have come up this year. What kind of knowledge and skills could help your staff avoid those pitfalls next year? Your local Chambers of Commerce, trade organizations, and consulting firms may have a lot more to offer than you realize! Employee Communication: Keep staff informed about important year-end info including benefit changes, holiday schedules, and tax documentation. It’s always a good idea to re
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Westlake, Ohio 44145
Phone: 440-249-5260 ext. 153
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