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BBB invites for-profit businesses to apply for the regional 2018 Torch Awards for Ethics competition.
The Torch Awards for Ethics competition was created to honor companies that are committed to trust and marketplace ethics.
The award embodies Better Business Bureau’s mission to be the leader in advancing marketplace trust.
Any for-profit business headquartered in BBB’s 13-county service area that has been in business for at least three years and is not a previous Torch Awards winner can enter the 2018 Torch Awards competition.
The business does not have to be BBB Accredited, but it must be in good standing with BBB and have at least a “B” rating to be considered for the award. More information about eligibility requirements can be found here.
Candidates will be evaluated by a panel of judges from the local business, media, and academic communities. Businesses will be judged on these six categories:
– Leadership Commitment to Ethical Practices;
– Communication of Ethical Practices;
– Leadership Practices to Unify the Organization;
– Organizational Commitment to Performance Management Practices;
– Organizational Commitment to Ethical Human Resource Practices;
– Organizational Commitment to the Community.
Applying for the 2018 Torch Awards for Ethics is free, and the online application process is easy to navigate. You can also nominate a trustworthy business online.
The winners of the 2018 Torch Awards have the unique opportunity to receive widespread public recognition for their commitment to, and excellence in, ethical business practices.
BBB Torch Awards winners receive the following recognition:
– Inclusion in a press release announcing winners;
– Announcements made on BBB’s 6+ active social media channels;
– Lifetime use of the BBB Torch Awards Seal (as long as a “B” BBB rating is maintained);
– Torch Awards trophy presentation and office visit by BBB;
– Professional quality photos and videos taken by BBB;
– Inclusion in an exclusive 2018 winner’s video;
– Web site recognition;
– Perpetual placement on the Torch Awards winners page (as long as a “B” BBB rating is maintained);
– Qualification to enter the 2018 International Torch Awards for Ethics.
The exemplary winners of the 2017 Torch Awards included The Kastrop Group, Wedge Roofing, and Escrow.com. You can see the list of past winners and watch the 2017 winner’s video here.
To apply for the regional 2018 Torch Awards for Ethics, learn more about the competition, or nominate a business, visit www.go.bbb.org/sf-torchawards.
Applications are open now until Friday, April 6, at 5 pm PST.
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Women in Cable Telecommunications named Mediacom as a “2017 Best Company for Women to Work,” based on survey data collected to measure gender-inclusion practices and the status of women employees in the cable industry.
The survey’s three main criteria assess pay equity, advancement opportunities and resources for work-life integration. Mediacom will be recognized as among the “Best Companies for Women to work” during an industry event to be held in New York City in April.
Following a separate assessment of workforce diversity, Mediacom was also named a 2017 Top Company for People of Color. Employment data compiled by the National Association for Multi-Ethnicity in Communications recognize Mediacom for achieving a high level of diversity. The survey captured workforce demographics, diversity practices, non-traditional employee benefits, and other indicators.
“The high survey scores and accolades announced by these two organizations demonstrate that at Mediacom, diversity and inclusiveness are priorities we put into practice at every level,” said Director of Area Operations, Shawn Swatosh. “From broadband specialists at the front lines, to the executive offices and everywhere in between, we understand that a diverse workforce is necessary to be an innovative technology company in a rapidly changing world.”
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"Many insurers have stepped up to do the right thing for policyholders by agreeing to my request and eliminating more red tape from the claim process," said Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones. "Increasing personal property payments for fire survivors who suffered a total loss is an important step in easing survivors' overwhelming burden and helping them move forward by eliminating or reducing the arduous burden of trying to create a detailed home inventory for every piece of personal property they owned and lost to the fire."
The insurers that agreed to Jones' request have 97 percent of the total-loss insurance claims for policyholders who experienced a residential loss.
These insurers have agreed to increase their contents (personal property) payments beyond the 25 percent they already agreed to in response to Commissioner Jones' prior notice, which asked insurers to expedite claims payments.
In response to Commissioner Jones' latest formal request insurers have agreed to make payments, without an inventory, ranging from 50 percent up to 100 percent of contents coverage limits, with many insurers agreeing to at least 75 percent or even 100 percent.
The amount of contents coverage varies among insurers, as the law does not require uniformity of contents coverage. This means even if the insurer provides a higher percentage of payout without an inventory, the amount paid to the policyholder may actually be lower than the payout from an insurer with a lower threshold for payout without an inventory, due to the insurer's lower contents limits.
Conversely, a policyholder whose insurer provides a lower percentage of payout may receive a higher claim payment due to the insurer's higher contents limits. For this reason, it is difficult to compare one insurer's threshold for waiver to another insurer's threshold for waiver.
The department has requested each insurer immediately notify their insureds of the new amounts they will provide, without inventory, and the terms and exceptions. Several insurers have already done this or are in the process of sending these notifications.
The department advises wildfire survivors, if they have not been notified by their insurer or if they have further questions, to contact the department. Wildfire survivors should contact their insurance company to determine the specifics of its waiver of the inventory in relation to the policyholder.
Commissioner Jones continues to urge all insurers to waive the inventory requirement. While Jones requested all carriers accommodate their insureds and his request by paying up to 100 percent of personal property limits without requiring a complete inventory list, the Legislature has not passed a law requiring insurers to waive the inventory or giving the insurance commissioner the authority to order a waiver.
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CNIP encourages the purchase and consumption of healthy, California grown fresh fruits, vegetables, and nuts by nutrition benefit clients.
CDFA is seeking project proposals from qualified entities to distribute incentives at Certified Farmers’ Markets and/or small businesses (retail stores, Community Supported Agriculture, and farm stands) throughout California.
Incentives should be available to CalFresh, WIC, Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program, and/or CalWORKs shoppers using their benefits to purchase California grown fresh fruits, vegetables, and/or nuts. Participants should be able to receive the incentive at the time of purchase.
Projects that reach underserved populations, particularly communities where a large proportion of the population is eligible for CalFresh and communities with high rates of diet-related disease, will be prioritized.
This is a competitive process. The California Nutrition Incentive Program was established by Assembly Bill 1321 (Chapter 442, Statutes of 2015).
Applications must be submitted by email to
Further information on the grant program, including timeline and application criteria, are available at: http://cafarmtofork.com/cnip_2018Expansion.html.