Search Results

We are more than a workplace; we are a collective force of individuals shaping success. Our nearly 1500 employees use their unique backgrounds, interests, and talents to make a difference in our work, our company, and our communities. Our culture empowers people to achieve extraordinary things. We are more than a workplace; we are a collective force of individuals shaping success. Our 1300+ employees use their unique backgrounds, interests, and talents to make a difference in our work, our company, and our communities. Our culture leads us to find ways to help people do extraordinary things. Meet our team and explore their work, their passions and their stories. A Commitment to Collaboration Discover how Cassie's career experiences have transformed her into a mentor > At Cottingham & Butler, our mission and values are simple, yet sincere... Grounded in a set of core values, we prioritize integrity, truthfulness, keeping your word, and the highest respect for individuals. We are committed to promoting positive relationships, understanding and serving our clients' long-term best interests as our own, and ensuring the enduring success of our company. See How They Shine Ashlee Metcalf Onstage Linda Perry & David Becker_edited Cassie Lowery Onstage Describe your image Ashlee Metcalf Onstage 1/12 Our greatest asset is our people. Meet some of our recent Service Excellence Award winners – individuals who consistently go above and beyond, inspiring their colleagues and exceeding client expectations. Join us in a culture where your commitment to excellence is not only valued but celebrated! EXPLORE CAREERS Experience a professional environment infused with a vibrant team spirit. Join a workplace culture where collaboration and enjoyment go hand in hand, creating a dynamic and rewarding experience. Explore Our Career Opportunities BEGIN YOUR JOB SEARCH NOW!

General Industry Coverage Basics: Cyber Insurance Up Published on Written by: Page View January 1, 2023 Cottingham & Butler As cyberattacks become more frequent and costly, organizations must maximize their financial protection against related losses by purchasing sufficient insurance. Cyber coverage, also known as cyber liability insurance, can help organizations pay for a range of expenses that may result from cyber incidents—including (but not limited to) data breaches, ransomware attacks, and phishing scams. Specific cyber insurance offerings differ between carriers. Furthermore, organizations’ coverage needs may vary based on their particular exposures. In any case, cyber insurance agreements typically fall into two categories: first-party coverage and third-party coverage. Policyholders should have a clear understanding of both categories of coverage to comprehend the key protections offered by their cyber insurance. First-party Coverage First-party cyber insurance can offer financial protection for losses that an organization directly sustains from a cyber incident. Covered losses generally include the following: Incident response costs —This coverage can help pay the costs associated with responding to a cyber incident. These costs may include utilizing IT forensics to investigate the breach, restoring damaged systems, notifying affected customers, and setting up call center services. Legal costs —Such coverage can help pay for legal counsel to assist with any notification or regulatory obligations resulting from a cyber incident. Data recovery costs —This coverage can help recover expenses related to reconstituting data that may have been deleted or corrupted during a cyber incident. Business interruption losses —Such coverage can help reimburse lost profits or additional costs incurred due to the unavailability of IT systems or critical data amid a cyber incident. Cyber extortion losses —This coverage can help pay costs associated with hiring extortion response specialists to evaluate recovery options and negotiate ransom payment demands (if applicable) during a cyber incident. Reputational damage —Such coverage can help pay for crisis management and public relations services related to a cyber incident. Third-party Coverage Third-party cyber insurance can provide financial protection for claims made, fines incurred, or legal action taken against an organization due to a cyber incident. Types of third-party coverage usually include the following: Data privacy liability —This coverage can help recover the costs of dealing with third parties who had their information compromised during a cyber incident. These costs may include handling third-party lawsuits or legal disputes, offering credit-watch services, and providing additional compensation. Regulatory defense —Such coverage can help pay fines, penalties, and other defense costs related to regulatory action or privacy law violations stemming from a cyber incident. Media liability —This coverage can help reimburse defense costs and civil damages resulting from defamation, libel, slander, and negligence allegations associated with the publication of content in electronic or print media. Multimedia liability coverage can also offer protection amid copyright, trademark, or intellectual property infringement incidents. As a whole, it’s evident that cyber insurance can make all the difference in helping organizations avoid large-scale financial losses amid cyber incidents. Organizations should consult trusted insurance professionals to discuss their particular coverage needs. Contact us today for more risk management guidance and coverage solutions. This article is not intended to be exhaustive nor should any discussion or opinions be construed as legal advice. Readers should contact a Cottingham & Butler representative directly for appropriate guidance. View All Posts TAGS: Article General Industry Coverage Basics Cyber Upcoming Events Webinar November 10, 2025 Safety Reimagined: Setting Goals That Actually Drive Change Join SMSC Safety Consultant Scott Christenson for an engaging webinar that explores how to set safety goals that go beyond compliance and transform organizational culture by applying Human and Organizational Performance (HOP) principles. Participants will learn how to shift from traditional metrics to goals that foster continuous learning, organizational resilience, and worker empowerment. Register Now! Register Now! Webinar December 18, 2025 Year-in-Review & Looking Ahead Throughout 2025, HR and employee benefits professionals have continued to navigate an evolving compliance landscape for health and welfare benefit plans. As the year draws to a close, this session will highlight the most significant compliance developments and regulatory changes that shaped 2025 and what they mean for your organization. We’ll also look ahead to 2026, previewing upcoming rules, deadlines, and trends that could impact your benefit strategies in the year to come. Whether you're wrapping up year-end compliance or planning for what’s next, this webinar will help you stay informed and prepared. Examples will be provided to help employers manage different types of common employee positions. Register Now! Register Now! Webinar November 20, 2025 HRA Types & Comparisons With many different permitted types of Health Reimbursement Arrangements (HRAs), employers have a wide array of options to provide tax-favored reimbursement for qualifying medical expenses to employees and their family members. But each HRA type has its own compliance requirements, eligibility rules, and strategic use cases. This month’s webinar will discuss many different HRA types, including HRAs integrated with group medical plans, excepted benefit HRAs, qualified small employer HRAs, individual coverage HRAs, and retiree-only HRAs. We’ll explore how each type works, when it might be a good fit, and what employers need to know to stay compliant. Register Now! Register Now! View All Events Connect with a C&B Representative Today!

Whether you're an owner-operator or manage a national fleet, safeguarding your drivers, trucks, and cargo is critical for success. OOPS! There’s Nothing Here. The page you’re looking for can’t be found. Check the URL, or go back to the homepage. BACK TO HOMEPAGE

Cottingham & Butler Mastering Your Resume: A Guide for College Graduates Up Published on Written by: Page View January 1, 2024 Cottingham & Butler As you prepare to transition from college to the professional world, creating a compelling resume is key for landing your dream job. Your resume serves as your personal marketing tool, showcasing your skills, experiences, and qualifications to potential employers. Here's a complete guide to help you master and maximize your resume as a recent college graduate: Start with a Strong Heading: Open your resume with a clear and professional heading that includes your full name, contact information, and optionally, your LinkedIn profile URL. Make sure your email address is professional and avoid using nicknames or unprofessional handles. Craft a Compelling Personal Statement: Follow your heading with a brief personal statement that highlights your career goals, key skills, and what you bring to the table as a candidate. Tailor this section to the specific role or industry you're targeting and keep it brief but impactful. Highlight Your Education: As a recent graduate, your education section should be prominently featured on your resume. Include the name of your institution, the name of your degree, your major/minor, graduation date (or expected graduation date), any academic honors or awards you've received, and optionally, your GPA. Showcase Relevant Experience: Next, outline your relevant work experience, internships, volunteer work, and extracurricular activities. Focus on experiences that are directly related to the job you're applying for and use action verbs to describe your accomplishments and responsibilities. Quantify your achievements whenever possible to demonstrate tangible results. Be sure to list the most to least recent. Emphasize Transferable Skills: Highlight transferable skills gained through your coursework, internships, and extracurricular activities that are applicable to the job you're seeking. These may include communication skills, leadership abilities, problem-solving capabilities, and teamwork. Include Additional Sections as Needed: Depending on your background and experiences, consider adding additional sections to your resume, such as relevant coursework, certifications, professional affiliations, athletics, clubs and organizations, language proficiency, or technical skills. Only include sections that elevate your application and are relevant to the job you're applying for. Proofread and Format Professionally: Before submitting your resume, thoroughly proofread it to check for any spelling or grammatical errors. Additionally, ensure that your resume is formatted professionally and consistently, using clear headings, bullet points, and an easy-to-read font, but also don’t be afraid to let your personality shine through. Keep your resume length to one page whenever possible. Seek Feedback and Revise: Don't hesitate to seek feedback on your resume from trusted mentors, career advisors, or other professionals. Incorporate their suggestions and revise your resume accordingly to ensure it’s polished and effective. Submitting and Sharing Your Resume: Once your resume is finalized, it's time to submit it to your potential employer. Follow the application instructions provided in the job posting, whether it's through an online application portal, email, or mail. Additionally, consider sharing your resume with your network of contacts, including family, friends, professors, and alumni. Networking can often lead to valuable job opportunities and referrals. By following these tips and strategies, you'll be well-equipped to create a standout resume that effectively showcases your strengths and accomplishments as a recent college graduate. Good luck on your job search journey! Discover exciting career opportunities at Cottingham & Butler today! Whether you're seeking a full-time position or internship opportunity, we're always eager to welcome talented young professionals like you to our team. View All Posts TAGS: Article Cottingham & Butler Upcoming Events Webinar November 10, 2025 Safety Reimagined: Setting Goals That Actually Drive Change Join SMSC Safety Consultant Scott Christenson for an engaging webinar that explores how to set safety goals that go beyond compliance and transform organizational culture by applying Human and Organizational Performance (HOP) principles. Participants will learn how to shift from traditional metrics to goals that foster continuous learning, organizational resilience, and worker empowerment. Register Now! Register Now! Webinar December 18, 2025 Year-in-Review & Looking Ahead Throughout 2025, HR and employee benefits professionals have continued to navigate an evolving compliance landscape for health and welfare benefit plans. As the year draws to a close, this session will highlight the most significant compliance developments and regulatory changes that shaped 2025 and what they mean for your organization. We’ll also look ahead to 2026, previewing upcoming rules, deadlines, and trends that could impact your benefit strategies in the year to come. Whether you're wrapping up year-end compliance or planning for what’s next, this webinar will help you stay informed and prepared. Examples will be provided to help employers manage different types of common employee positions. Register Now! Register Now! Webinar November 20, 2025 HRA Types & Comparisons With many different permitted types of Health Reimbursement Arrangements (HRAs), employers have a wide array of options to provide tax-favored reimbursement for qualifying medical expenses to employees and their family members. But each HRA type has its own compliance requirements, eligibility rules, and strategic use cases. This month’s webinar will discuss many different HRA types, including HRAs integrated with group medical plans, excepted benefit HRAs, qualified small employer HRAs, individual coverage HRAs, and retiree-only HRAs. We’ll explore how each type works, when it might be a good fit, and what employers need to know to stay compliant. Register Now! Register Now! View All Events Connect with a C&B Representative Today!

Manufacturing Leveraged best practices and good loss experience to return $80,000 year after year Up Published on Written by: Page View April 25, 2023 Cottingham & Butler A best-in-class processing equipment manufacturer had been seeing a decrease in their loss experience, yet they were not seeing a decrease in how much they were paying for insurance. They were curious to learn if there was a way to incentivize their increased focus on safety and best practices. Their current program was "off the shelf" and was not designed to meet their specific needs. After engaging with Cottingham & Butler's Risk Management Assessment (RMA) , they quickly learned that there was not only a better way to buy insurance, but that there were significant coverage deficiencies in their program. The company recognized the value of a customized loss-sensitive program, as well as having a broker partner who would advocate on their behalf for claims. Program Design Delivered a loss-sensitive program option, Horizon, that would allow the company to receive up to 50% of their premium back for good loss years. Identified 3 carriers that had never seen the account before, and had an interest in the business. Coverage Identified 20 coverage deficiencies in their existing program. Significant deficiencies include: Multiple sub-limits were inadequate compared to their operations. The policy was designed for Architect and Engineering Professionals, NOT for Manufacturers. Multiple exclusions related to the core business operations of the company were present. No flood/earthquake coverage in a high-risk area. Contractual Risk Transfer Highlighted areas of concern and how their current risk transfer methods were inadequate for their industry and line of work. Cottingham & Butler put together recommendations and corrected critical mistakes in policy language Stability After joining Horizon, the company experienced a large loss in its first year of implementation. Even after the loss, their spend was similar. By paying in guaranteed cost, they avoided the increases they would have seen in the standard market. Since then, the company has received $80,000+ each year for their good loss experience. Claims Advocacy While the company had great loss experience, they had not previously received any claims reviews or advocacy services. After being made aware of the impacts of delayed reporting, their claims reporting processes were improved and consistent claim reviews were scheduled with the team. View All Posts TAGS: Case Study Manufacturing Claims Management Loss Control & Prevention Upcoming Events Webinar November 10, 2025 Safety Reimagined: Setting Goals That Actually Drive Change Join SMSC Safety Consultant Scott Christenson for an engaging webinar that explores how to set safety goals that go beyond compliance and transform organizational culture by applying Human and Organizational Performance (HOP) principles. Participants will learn how to shift from traditional metrics to goals that foster continuous learning, organizational resilience, and worker empowerment. Register Now! Register Now! Webinar December 18, 2025 Year-in-Review & Looking Ahead Throughout 2025, HR and employee benefits professionals have continued to navigate an evolving compliance landscape for health and welfare benefit plans. As the year draws to a close, this session will highlight the most significant compliance developments and regulatory changes that shaped 2025 and what they mean for your organization. We’ll also look ahead to 2026, previewing upcoming rules, deadlines, and trends that could impact your benefit strategies in the year to come. Whether you're wrapping up year-end compliance or planning for what’s next, this webinar will help you stay informed and prepared. Examples will be provided to help employers manage different types of common employee positions. Register Now! Register Now! Webinar November 20, 2025 HRA Types & Comparisons With many different permitted types of Health Reimbursement Arrangements (HRAs), employers have a wide array of options to provide tax-favored reimbursement for qualifying medical expenses to employees and their family members. But each HRA type has its own compliance requirements, eligibility rules, and strategic use cases. This month’s webinar will discuss many different HRA types, including HRAs integrated with group medical plans, excepted benefit HRAs, qualified small employer HRAs, individual coverage HRAs, and retiree-only HRAs. We’ll explore how each type works, when it might be a good fit, and what employers need to know to stay compliant. Register Now! Register Now! View All Events Connect with a C&B Representative Today!

Whether you're an owner-operator or manage a national fleet, safeguarding your drivers, trucks, and cargo is critical for success. Sponsorship Opportunities Join us in our mission to transform employee benefits and make a lasting impact on the workforce of tomorrow. BECOME A 2025 SPONSOR Cottingham & Butler invites you to engage with industry leaders at our premier events for 2025. As a sponsor, you'll be part of events that cut through the noise of traditional industry conferences. We've moved beyond flashy gimmicks to create meaningful spaces for genuine dialogue, knowledge sharing, and business growth—all focused on tackling the industry's most pressing challenges. Explore 2025 Opportunities Premier Seminars > Regional Seminars > CEO Summit > Transportation Summit > Team Building > Premier Seminars 2025 Employee Benefits Seminar Tour Premier Regional Seminars Iowa City (August 7) / Green Bay (Aug 13) Our premier events offer unmatched networking opportunities and exposure to the latest trends in employee benefits. These signature events feature keynote speakers, comprehensive programming, and exclusive networking opportunities. We experienced over 150 attendees at each event in 2024 and expect this number to grow in 2025. SPONSOR THIS EVENT > Regional Seminars 2025 Employee Benefits Seminar Tour Regional Seminars Multiple Cities Across the Midwest | Summer 2025 Our Regional Employee Benefits Seminars provide focused, intimate settings for benefits professionals, HR leaders, and decision-makers to explore cutting-edge solutions in employee benefits. We experienced over 75 attendees at each event in 2024 and expect this number to grow in 2025. Locations Include: Peoria, IL (May 6th) | Pewaukee, WI (May 22) | Minneapolis, MN (June 10) | Des Moines, IA (July 17) | Oakbrook, IL (July 30) SPONSOR THIS EVENT > CEO Summit 2025 Employee Benefits CEO Summit Client Event | September 2025 Exclusive to Cottingham & Butler clients, our invitation-only CEO Summit brings together top executives from our client organizations for high-level discussions and networking. SPONSOR THIS EVENT > Transportation Summit Full Event / Executive Forum Transportation Summit Chicago IL | September 3-4 The Transportation Summit stands as a cornerstone industry event, attracting over 500 transportation leaders from 25+ states, with 80% being motor carrier owners and senior executives. The summit brings together key decision-makers and innovators who are shaping the future of transportation. Sponsors can choose their level of participation: either the full Transportation Summit experience or exclusive access to the Benefits & Strategy Executive Forum – a specialized morning track where C-suite leaders and HR executives explore strategic benefits decisions and business leadership challenges. Both options offer unique opportunities to connect with industry peers and gain valuable insights into the future of transportation. Full Summit Sponsorship Click Here for detailed sponsorship information, including additional perks and event details. Executive Forum Sponsorship SPONSOR THIS EVENT > Team Building Events Team Building Events Occurring Throughout 2025 Become a valued sponsor and also join us in attendance at one of our series of team-building and camaraderie events throughout 2025! All events will also include a dedicated time for you to address the team, as well as be recognized by senior leadership outlining our strong partnership together. Large events generally encompass the entire C&B Benefits team of over 170 teammates and are hosted in Dubuque, IA. Smaller events generally encompass regional events for those teams of 10-50 teammates depending on event (Madison, Chicago, Des Moines). Once you select your interest level, we will outreach and coordinate an event together that fits your interest and schedule. SPONSOR AN EVENT > CEO Summit Transportation Summit Premier Seminars Team Building Events Regional Seminars

Employee Benefits A 33% Decrease to Health Insurance Spend in 3 Years Up Published on Written by: Page View April 15, 2022 Cottingham & Butler A county in northeastern Wisconsin was facing a 6% increase in their health insurance costs. Cottingham & Butler's public sector team was invited to conduct our 3C's analysis, where we benchmark coverage, cost, and consumption compared to peer counties and municipalities in the area. This analysis leads to identifying areas for opportunity and allows us to make targeted quantifiable recommendations. Pharmacy Contract Review We renegotiated the pharmacy benefit manager contract, moving from a 3-year to a 1-year contract. We also introduced step-therapy and coupon tracking on medications that led to $115k in savings. Tenure-Based Opt Out We implemented a $5,000 cash opt-out based on tenure. This was an added benefit offered to employees with over 20 years of service to the County that led to over $84k in savings. High-Performance Network We recommended that the County introduce a tiered high-performance network, incenting members (but not mandating them) to use high-quality, low-cost providers leading to over $280k in savings. View All Posts TAGS: Case Study Employee Benefits Cost Management Upcoming Events Webinar November 10, 2025 Safety Reimagined: Setting Goals That Actually Drive Change Join SMSC Safety Consultant Scott Christenson for an engaging webinar that explores how to set safety goals that go beyond compliance and transform organizational culture by applying Human and Organizational Performance (HOP) principles. Participants will learn how to shift from traditional metrics to goals that foster continuous learning, organizational resilience, and worker empowerment. Register Now! Register Now! Webinar December 18, 2025 Year-in-Review & Looking Ahead Throughout 2025, HR and employee benefits professionals have continued to navigate an evolving compliance landscape for health and welfare benefit plans. As the year draws to a close, this session will highlight the most significant compliance developments and regulatory changes that shaped 2025 and what they mean for your organization. We’ll also look ahead to 2026, previewing upcoming rules, deadlines, and trends that could impact your benefit strategies in the year to come. Whether you're wrapping up year-end compliance or planning for what’s next, this webinar will help you stay informed and prepared. Examples will be provided to help employers manage different types of common employee positions. Register Now! Register Now! Webinar November 20, 2025 HRA Types & Comparisons With many different permitted types of Health Reimbursement Arrangements (HRAs), employers have a wide array of options to provide tax-favored reimbursement for qualifying medical expenses to employees and their family members. But each HRA type has its own compliance requirements, eligibility rules, and strategic use cases. This month’s webinar will discuss many different HRA types, including HRAs integrated with group medical plans, excepted benefit HRAs, qualified small employer HRAs, individual coverage HRAs, and retiree-only HRAs. We’ll explore how each type works, when it might be a good fit, and what employers need to know to stay compliant. Register Now! Register Now! View All Events Connect with a C&B Representative Today!

Employee Benefits HR’s Role in Mergers and Acquisitions Up Published on Written by: Page View March 14, 2023 Cottingham & Butler Mergers and acquisitions (M&A) have become an increasingly common business strategy. M&A transactions increased from $3.8 trillion in 2020 to $5.1 trillion in 2021, according to professional services network KPMG. Despite the increase in M&A activity, approximately 70% to 90% of M&A transactions fail to reach their expected strategic and financial aims, according to research from the Harvard Business Review. Often, M&A transactions can struggle to meet their intended aims due to people-related factors, such as mismatched organizational cultures and management styles, lack of communication and trust, loss of key talent, and ambiguous long-term goals. HR professionals can play a pivotal role in preventing these types of failures and ensuring a smooth transition for employees on both sides of an M&A transaction. Understanding HR’s role in M&A activity can be vital to ensuring a successful transaction. This article provides an overview of HR’s role in M&A activity before, during, and after the transaction. It’s not intended to be a comprehensive guide but explores general issues for HR professionals to consider. Understanding HR’s M&A Role The terms "mergers" and "acquisitions" are often used interchangeably, but they have important differences. Mergers combine two separate organizations into a single, new entity. However, with acquisitions, one organization takes over another outright and establishes itself as the new owner. In most cases, an acquisition is technically a merger, as the new entity will merge with an asset of the organization. Regardless, the common use of these terms can create some differences in how the activity might impact a workforce and HR’s role. Traditionally, most have viewed HR’s role in M&A deals as limited to advising management or deal-makers on HR-related issues, such as talent decisions and integrating HR practices. However, M&A deals create a myriad of people issues that must be resolved quickly and effectively. This is where HR professionals can have the greatest impact on M&A transactions. Leading up to and immediately following M&A transactions, employees start to consider their personal situation. If employees feel uncertain about their place in the new organization, it’s more likely they’ll look for new opportunities. Recruiters know this and will target key talent immediately following an M&A deal announcement. The loss of key talent can diminish the overall value of any M&A transaction. How HR operates before, during, and after M&A transactions is critical, especially when communicating with employees. Before the Transaction Download our Due Diligence Checklist HR’s primary role before any M&A transaction is conducting due diligence. During a deal, HR professionals provide critical information to assist in evaluating the transaction and assessing potential risks and liabilities. HR evaluates the following aspects of a target organization: Talent Culture Employee benefits plans Compensation programs Employment contracts and policies Potential liabilities Reviewing retirement benefits can be particularly important before an M&A transaction to assess whether a target organization’s retirement plans are overfunded, underfunded, or vested improperly. HR usually works closely with legal teams to ensure organizations comply with federal, state, and local laws. Failing to conduct careful due diligence can result in organizations assuming significant liabilities during M&A transactions. HR professionals from both organizations need to determine whether the entities’ organizational cultures are compatible. This can include analyzing each organization’s growth and turnover rates, management styles, employee attitudes regarding embracing a new culture, and benefits programs. This can help to ensure a smooth transition and cultural integration of the organizations. For organizations being acquired, HR professionals typically partner with the other organization’s HR team to resolve potential issues and provide information and data related to due diligence. This may require HR professionals to review and comply with nondisclosure agreements, as much of this information is considered confidential. They also support employees impacted by the transaction and ease their concerns and doubts. Doing so can increase employee confidence in the deal and help employees to remain productive during the transition process. During the Transaction HR professionals play a vital role during an M&A transaction as they are typically responsible for completing various significant tasks. Due to the breadth of involvement, HR can help define the blueprint of all aspects of the new organization and assess the deal’s impact on employees. This section outlines some of HR’s key responsibilities during a transaction. Communicating with Employees Employee communication is a critical HR function during M&A transactions. How HR shares information with employees about the transaction, especially those most affected, can greatly impact the deal’s success. When done effectively, employee communication can improve the odds that the deal will be successful. Not only can communication provide employees with timelines and updates about the integration, but it can also provide employees with a shared vision of the new organization and help win employees over. M&A transactions can be difficult for employees, and some are likely to leave. HR professionals can reach out to employees and conduct interviews to help employees feel heard and valued. HR should be honest with employees about what’s happening, what’s planned and when key decisions will be made. By treating individuals whom the M&A deal may negatively impact with respect, HR can send a strong message to the remaining employees about how the new organization deals with and prioritizes employees. Integrating Cultures M&A transactions often can lead to a culture clash. Since culture issues can sink the success of any M&A deal, blending culture is a top HR priority. HR professionals must integrate and redefine the new organization’s culture and values. They can do this by establishing a shared organizational vision, mission and strategy. Checking in with acquired employees can provide valuable insights as organizations attempt to align cultures. Ensuring Legal Compliance Ensuring that organizations comply with applicable laws often falls on HR’s shoulders. Employees are often released as a result of M&A activity. Each organization’s HR professionals must ensure they follow all applicable laws and notification requirements when reducing staff. M&A transactions may result in organizations being forced to comply with new laws. For instance, if an M&A deal results in an organization acquiring non-exempt employees, it must comply with legal obligations for these new employees under the Fair Labor Standards Act. Additionally, to protect employees from losing legal protections, some regulations require employers to comply with laws even if they do not satisfy the legal requirements to be considered covered employers. For example, suppose a new organization is a successor in interest. In that case, employees from the previous organization cannot be deprived of their rights under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) even if the new organization does not meet the FMLA’s covered employer requirements. M&A transactions are often legally complex, and this article only provides a few examples of the potential legal issues organizations must consider. Due to the complex nature of this activity, employers are encouraged to seek legal counsel to discuss any specific issues and concerns. Making Technology and Outsourcing Decisions HR may need to decide which systems or technology the new organization will keep, replace or eliminate. It may also need to consider which organizational processes or functions will be outsourced. While this may seem straightforward, it requires HR professionals to painstakingly assess the technology and systems of all organizations involved in an M&A transaction. Additionally, HR must act quickly to integrate technology and systems to avoid disrupting the new organization’s operations. After the Transaction Once an M&A transaction is completed, HR plays a key role in integrating the organizations. This can be particularly challenging and labor-intensive. HR professionals typically undertake the following tasks: Create new policies. After an M&A event, HR must create or merge employment policies, rules and guidelines to establish workplace governance and set employee expectations for the new organization. This may include creating attendance, paid time off, sick leave, drug testing, anti-discrimination and anti-retaliation policies. Manage talent. HR plays a critical role in determining which employees will stay, are replaced or are eliminated after an M&A event. This includes identifying employees that may be needed to ensure a smooth transition but aren’t critical to the long-term success of the new organization. HR professionals typically spend a great deal of time evaluating employees since most M&A transactions expect to increase organizational efficiency by eliminating redundant roles. HR assesses employee knowledge, skills and capabilities by interviewing and potentially testing employees. Once completed, HR takes steps to re-recruit and place employees. HR must also eliminate unnecessary positions by terminating individuals, offering early retirement or leaving roles vacant. Retain key talent. To ensure a successful M&A transaction, organizations need to retain key employees. This often means reaching out directly to these employees to discuss their career goals and address concerns generated by the M&A deal. HR needs to ensure there’s a place for key talent in the new organization and adequate career growth opportunities for them. Develop compensation strategies. HR creates cohesive compensation structures for the new organization, including executive compensation strategies. Typically, this requires HR professionals to unify the compensation structures and incentives of multiple organizations. Any new compensation structure must be clearly and effectively communicated to employees. Create employee benefits programs. Similar to creating compensation structures, HR may need to fit existing employee benefits programs into a unified plan for the new organization. If that’s not possible, HR professionals may need to establish new benefits programs for the new organization, which can be complicated and time-consuming. Again, communicating any new benefits programs to employees is critical. HR is essential to the success of any M&A transaction. By ensuring HR professionals have the necessary skills and resources to steer the integration effectively, organizations can help ensure their M&A deals reach their expected strategic and financial aims. To learn more, contact Cottingham & Butler's M&A team today. The above insights are not intended to be exhaustive nor should any discussion or opinions be construed as professional advice. View All Posts TAGS: Article Employee Benefits Mergers & Acquisitions Upcoming Events Webinar November 10, 2025 Safety Reimagined: Setting Goals That Actually Drive Change Join SMSC Safety Consultant Scott Christenson for an engaging webinar that explores how to set safety goals that go beyond compliance and transform organizational culture by applying Human and Organizational Performance (HOP) principles. Participants will learn how to shift from traditional metrics to goals that foster continuous learning, organizational resilience, and worker empowerment. Register Now! Register Now! Webinar December 18, 2025 Year-in-Review & Looking Ahead Throughout 2025, HR and employee benefits professionals have continued to navigate an evolving compliance landscape for health and welfare benefit plans. As the year draws to a close, this session will highlight the most significant compliance developments and regulatory changes that shaped 2025 and what they mean for your organization. We’ll also look ahead to 2026, previewing upcoming rules, deadlines, and trends that could impact your benefit strategies in the year to come. Whether you're wrapping up year-end compliance or planning for what’s next, this webinar will help you stay informed and prepared. Examples will be provided to help employers manage different types of common employee positions. Register Now! Register Now! Webinar November 20, 2025 HRA Types & Comparisons With many different permitted types of Health Reimbursement Arrangements (HRAs), employers have a wide array of options to provide tax-favored reimbursement for qualifying medical expenses to employees and their family members. But each HRA type has its own compliance requirements, eligibility rules, and strategic use cases. This month’s webinar will discuss many different HRA types, including HRAs integrated with group medical plans, excepted benefit HRAs, qualified small employer HRAs, individual coverage HRAs, and retiree-only HRAs. We’ll explore how each type works, when it might be a good fit, and what employers need to know to stay compliant. Register Now! Register Now! View All Events Connect with a C&B Representative Today!

For over 15 years, Cottingham & Butler has collected data from motor carriers coast to coast through the Trucking Benchmark Survey to provide participants with a detailed outlook on how their benefits and compensation programs compare against others in the industry. Unlock the Power of Data for Your Trucking Business Trucking Benchmark Survey GET YOUR FREE SNEAK PEEK! In today’s competitive trucking landscape, every dollar counts. For over 16 years, Cottingham & Butler has been dedicated to helping motor carriers like yours navigate the complexities of employee benefits and compensation. The Trucking Benchmark Compensation & Benefits Survey—your essential tool for ensuring you’re not overspending while still attracting top talent. Did you miss the opportunity to participate in our 2024 survey? If so, download the FREE sneak peak , offering you glimpse into the full report. GET YOUR FREE 2025 INSIDE LOOK NOW! Why Participate? High driver turnover isn't just a statistic – it's a seismic blow to your trucking company's bottom line. Research shows that losing just one driver can cost your company up to $11,500, factoring in recruitment, training, and lost productivity expenses. Recruiting and retaining top-quality drivers is crucial for the success of any motor carrier. The Cottingham & Butler Trucking Benchmark Survey offers insights into: Driver compensation & bonus structures Paid time off strategies Detailed Medical and Rx Plan Benchmarks Miscellaneous benefits tailored to the trucking industry Gain a competitive advantage and elevate your cost management strategies by benchmarking your programs against industry peers. Join over 30 states already leveraging the Trucking Benchmark Compensation & Benefits Survey to make data-driven decisions. Take the first step today and discover how your company's benefits and compensation stack up against industry standards. Together, we'll optimize your financial strategy to keep your business competitive while maintaining a healthy bottom line. DEADLINE PASSED. CATCH US NEXT YEAR! Transportation Insight & Impact Strategies for Fighting Driver Fatigue to Stay Alert and Alive Learn how to build an effective Fatigue Risk Management System (FRMS) to protect drivers and improve safety. Free resources and practical tools included. On-Demand Simple Devices That Can Save Your Fleet Thousands: Dashboard Cameras Discover how dashboard cameras protect trucking fleets from costly false claims, regulatory fines, and insurance penalties. Learn why drivers prefer this technology and how it delivers ROI in 6-12 months through accident defense, fraud prevention, and improved safety records. Articles 2025 Trucking Operational Costs and Industry Trends: Key Takeaways from ATRI’s Latest Report Discover critical trucking cost trends from ATRI's 2025 report. Learn how rising expenses and tight margins are reshaping carrier operations and strategy. Articles VIEW MORE Whether you need clarification on survey data or want to discuss optimizing your benefits strategy, we're just a message away. Jill Lange Sales Executive Kim Beck Senior Vice President Jamie Bishop Vice President Eddie Rios Vice President Jackie Ronning Vice President Mark Rapp Sales Executive TBS Connect with our team of trucking benefits experts!

General Industry OSHA Reporting and Recordkeeping Compliance Updates Up Published on Written by: Page View December 27, 2023 Cottingham & Butler Did you know companies, with 11 or more employees, are required to maintain and post an OSHA log? What is an OSHA 300 Log, and when does OSHA need to be notified of an injury? Failure to maintain proper recordkeeping, or incorrectly doing so, could lead to large fines. Learn what you need to know about OSHA recordkeeping and reporting, as well as recent changes to reporting requirements. Click here to download the presentation slides. View All Posts TAGS: On-Demand Webinar General Industry Safety Upcoming Events Webinar November 10, 2025 Safety Reimagined: Setting Goals That Actually Drive Change Join SMSC Safety Consultant Scott Christenson for an engaging webinar that explores how to set safety goals that go beyond compliance and transform organizational culture by applying Human and Organizational Performance (HOP) principles. Participants will learn how to shift from traditional metrics to goals that foster continuous learning, organizational resilience, and worker empowerment. Register Now! Register Now! Webinar December 18, 2025 Year-in-Review & Looking Ahead Throughout 2025, HR and employee benefits professionals have continued to navigate an evolving compliance landscape for health and welfare benefit plans. As the year draws to a close, this session will highlight the most significant compliance developments and regulatory changes that shaped 2025 and what they mean for your organization. We’ll also look ahead to 2026, previewing upcoming rules, deadlines, and trends that could impact your benefit strategies in the year to come. Whether you're wrapping up year-end compliance or planning for what’s next, this webinar will help you stay informed and prepared. Examples will be provided to help employers manage different types of common employee positions. Register Now! Register Now! Webinar November 20, 2025 HRA Types & Comparisons With many different permitted types of Health Reimbursement Arrangements (HRAs), employers have a wide array of options to provide tax-favored reimbursement for qualifying medical expenses to employees and their family members. But each HRA type has its own compliance requirements, eligibility rules, and strategic use cases. This month’s webinar will discuss many different HRA types, including HRAs integrated with group medical plans, excepted benefit HRAs, qualified small employer HRAs, individual coverage HRAs, and retiree-only HRAs. We’ll explore how each type works, when it might be a good fit, and what employers need to know to stay compliant. Register Now! Register Now! View All Events Connect with a C&B Representative Today!

Construction Bond Producer vs. Surety Advisor: Beyond the Bond Up Published on Written by: Page View October 7, 2016 Cottingham & Butler When you're looking for a solid bonding relationship, shouldn't it be built on a complete risk review and not simply on a complete financial review? Sure, your financials are strong, but they can be misleading or downright unreliable if your surety team hasn't gone beyond just delivering a bond. Imagine facing an uncovered loss with a full backlog and no money to prosecute the work. It's bonded work and that means the surety must step in and complete it; you didn't forget you personally indemnified that bond, did you? Imagine facing a serious loss where your limits were adequate to your company's net worth 3 years ago but haven't contemplated that new $4,000,000 in revenue you've added since then. Are you a bigger target at $6,000,000 revenue than you were at $2,000,000? You've bonded these jobs, and you've produced a clear, contractual financial guarantee in which you are fully indemnifying the surety both corporately and personally. When you set those insurance limits, didn't at least part of that calculation take into consideration the corporate veil, your protections personally against liability? Of course they did. Did you adjust those limits when you took on a project which, through that personal indemnity pierces the veil and leaves you personally exposed? This is piercing the veil from the inside. You may not experience a loss that can break through the veil head on but an uncovered loss or a loss with inadequate limits can wreak havoc on current operations and leave you staring down the barrel of a sizeable bond loss. You might enjoy personal protection from the veil on the insurance claim but what if that claim wipes out the working capital in your company? The surety still has your personal indemnity option to complete that work and pay those subs on your behalf. How's that veil doing? In most cases, it's not that one swift blow. It's usually a long-term effect of your company under siege where you and your senior management lose focus on critical day-to-day management and new growth as your energy and money pour into defending what you've built. Performance, morale, cash flow, revenue..... the spiral can be awful. We have the experience and the rounded team who will provide this in-depth review. The people who are not merely up-to-date on emerging risks but up-to-date with how fluid those risks are when considered by a company heavily involved in modern construction. The Bond Producer will get you the bond and call it a success and, yes, we do that too. We "get the bond" every day, and most days, on an hourly basis. The Surety Advisor delivers that bond along with these and other critical services that should be the standard, but we all know aren't. From clients just starting out and in search of their first $300,000 bond, to firms with over 100 years in contracting and bond lines in excess of $150,000,000, we have the experience, team, and drive to deliver beyond the bond. View All Posts TAGS: Article Construction Surety Bonds Upcoming Events Webinar November 10, 2025 Safety Reimagined: Setting Goals That Actually Drive Change Join SMSC Safety Consultant Scott Christenson for an engaging webinar that explores how to set safety goals that go beyond compliance and transform organizational culture by applying Human and Organizational Performance (HOP) principles. Participants will learn how to shift from traditional metrics to goals that foster continuous learning, organizational resilience, and worker empowerment. Register Now! Register Now! Webinar December 18, 2025 Year-in-Review & Looking Ahead Throughout 2025, HR and employee benefits professionals have continued to navigate an evolving compliance landscape for health and welfare benefit plans. As the year draws to a close, this session will highlight the most significant compliance developments and regulatory changes that shaped 2025 and what they mean for your organization. We’ll also look ahead to 2026, previewing upcoming rules, deadlines, and trends that could impact your benefit strategies in the year to come. Whether you're wrapping up year-end compliance or planning for what’s next, this webinar will help you stay informed and prepared. Examples will be provided to help employers manage different types of common employee positions. Register Now! Register Now! Webinar November 20, 2025 HRA Types & Comparisons With many different permitted types of Health Reimbursement Arrangements (HRAs), employers have a wide array of options to provide tax-favored reimbursement for qualifying medical expenses to employees and their family members. But each HRA type has its own compliance requirements, eligibility rules, and strategic use cases. This month’s webinar will discuss many different HRA types, including HRAs integrated with group medical plans, excepted benefit HRAs, qualified small employer HRAs, individual coverage HRAs, and retiree-only HRAs. We’ll explore how each type works, when it might be a good fit, and what employers need to know to stay compliant. Register Now! Register Now! View All Events Connect with a C&B Representative Today!

Begin your job search and discover exciting career opportunities at Cottingham & Butler! Begin your job search and discover exciting career opportunities at our company. Location: Filter by location Job Category Filter by job category Search Reset Location: Dubuque, Iowa, United States 2026 Summer Claims Intern APPLY TODAY! Location: Dubuque, Iowa, United States 2026 Summer Sales Intern APPLY TODAY! Location: Dubuque, Iowa, United States Account Administrator APPLY TODAY! Location: Des Plaines, Illinois, United States Account Executive APPLY TODAY! Location: Remote Account Executive APPLY TODAY! Location: Dubuque, Iowa, United States Account Executive APPLY TODAY! Location: Madison, Wisconsin, United States Account Executive APPLY TODAY! Location: Des Moines, Iowa, United States Account Executive APPLY TODAY! Location: Dubuque, Iowa, United States Accounting Specialist APPLY TODAY! Location: Madison, Wisconsin, United States Account Manager APPLY TODAY! Location: Dyersville, Iowa, United States Account Manager APPLY TODAY! Location: Dubuque, Iowa, United States Account Manager APPLY TODAY! Location: Dubuque, Iowa, United States Account Manager - Health and Wellness APPLY TODAY! Location: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States Benefits Associate APPLY TODAY! Location: Dubuque, Iowa, United States Benefits Captive Consultant APPLY TODAY! Location: Dubuque, Iowa, United States Brokerage Experienced Sales Executive APPLY TODAY! Location: Dubuque, Iowa, United States Campus Talent Acquisition Specialist APPLY TODAY! Location: Dubuque, Iowa, United States Captive Consultant – Property & Casualty APPLY TODAY! Location: Dubuque, Iowa, United States Chief Human Resources Officer APPLY TODAY! Location: Dubuque, Iowa, United States Claims Coordinator APPLY TODAY! Location: Dubuque, Iowa, United States Claims Representative APPLY TODAY! Location: Dubuque, Iowa, United States Claims & Safety Captive Consultant APPLY TODAY! Location: Dubuque, Iowa, United States Client Coordinator APPLY TODAY! Location: Dubuque, Iowa, United States Client Service Representative APPLY TODAY! Location: Dubuque, Iowa, United States Condition Management Account Coordinator APPLY TODAY! Location: Dubuque, Iowa, United States Creative Design Manager APPLY TODAY! Location: Dubuque, Iowa, United States EDI Specialist APPLY TODAY! Location: Dubuque, Iowa, United States Entry Level Sales Executive APPLY TODAY! Location: Des Moines, Iowa, United States Entry Level Sales Executive - Employee Benefits APPLY TODAY! Location: Madison, Wisconsin, United States Entry Level Sales Executive - Employee Benefits APPLY TODAY! Location: Dubuque, Iowa, United States Entry Level Sales Executive - Employee Benefits APPLY TODAY! Location: Dubuque, Iowa, United States Entry Level Sales Executive - Risk Management APPLY TODAY! Location: Madison, Wisconsin, United States Entry Level Sales Executive - Risk Management APPLY TODAY! Location: Madison, Wisconsin, United States Entry Level Sales Executive - Trucking APPLY TODAY! Location: Dallas, Texas, United States Entry Level Sales Executive - Trucking APPLY TODAY! Location: Dubuque, Iowa, United States Entry Level Sales Executive - Trucking APPLY TODAY! Location: Dubuque, Iowa, United States Event Coordinator APPLY TODAY! Location: Appleton, Wisconsin, United States Experienced Sales Executive - Employee Benefits APPLY TODAY! Location: Des Plaines, Illinois, United States Experienced Sales Executive - Employee Benefits APPLY TODAY! Location: Madison, Wisconsin, United States Experienced Sales Executive - Employee Benefits APPLY TODAY! Location: Dallas, Texas, United States Experienced Sales Executive - Employee Benefits APPLY TODAY! Location: Dubuque, Iowa, United States Experienced Sales Executive - Employee Benefits APPLY TODAY! Location: Des Moines, Iowa, United States Experienced Sales Executive - Employee Benefits APPLY TODAY! Location: Remote Experienced Sales Executive - Employee Benefits APPLY TODAY! Location: Des Plaines, Illinois, United States Experienced Sales Executive - Risk Management APPLY TODAY! Location: Edina, Minnesota, United States Experienced Sales Executive - Risk Management APPLY TODAY! Location: Dubuque, Iowa, United States Experienced Sales Executive - Risk Management APPLY TODAY! Location: Des Moines, Iowa, United States Experienced Sales Executive - Risk Management APPLY TODAY! Location: Madison, Wisconsin, United States Experienced Sales Executive - Risk Management APPLY TODAY! Location: Dallas, Texas, United States Experienced Sales Executive - Risk Management APPLY TODAY! Location: Dubuque, Iowa, United States Experienced Sales Executive - Transportation APPLY TODAY! Location: Madison, Wisconsin, United States Experienced Sales Executive - Transportation APPLY TODAY! Location: Dallas, Texas, United States Experienced Sales Executive - Transportation APPLY TODAY! Location: Edina, Minnesota, United States Experienced Sales Executive - Transportation APPLY TODAY! Location: Remote Experienced Sales Executive - Transportation APPLY TODAY! Location: Des Plaines, Illinois, United States Experienced Sales Executive - Transportation APPLY TODAY! Location: Dubuque, Iowa, United States Financial Analyst APPLY TODAY! Location: Davenport, Iowa, United States Implementation Specialist APPLY TODAY! Location: Dubuque, Iowa, United States Inside Sales Executive APPLY TODAY! Location: Dubuque, Iowa, United States Insurance Marketer APPLY TODAY! Location: Dubuque, Iowa, United States IT Project Manager APPLY TODAY! Location: Remote Licensed Service Representative APPLY TODAY! Location: Des Moines, Iowa, United States Regional Sales Leader - Employee Benefits APPLY TODAY! Location: Des Plaines, Illinois, United States Regional Sales Leader - Employee Benefits APPLY TODAY! Location: Dubuque, Iowa, United States Sales Executive - Casualty Claims (Fully Remote) APPLY TODAY! Location: Dubuque, Iowa, United States Senior Claims Advocate - Transportation APPLY TODAY! Location: Dubuque, Iowa, United States Senior Insurance Marketer APPLY TODAY! Location: Dubuque, Iowa, United States Service Representative APPLY TODAY! Location: Dubuque, Iowa, United States Service Specialist APPLY TODAY! Location: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States Technology Solutions Specialist APPLY TODAY! Location: Remote TPA General Liability Claims Adjuster APPLY TODAY! Location: Remote TPA Sales Executive (Fully Remote) APPLY TODAY! Location: Dubuque, Iowa, United States Utilization Management Assistant APPLY TODAY! Location: Dubuque, Iowa, United States Utilization Management CNA APPLY TODAY! Location: Dubuque, Iowa, United States Utilization Management Nurse APPLY TODAY! Location: Illinois; Iowa; Minnesota; Texas; Wisconsin Vice President – Insurance Programs APPLY TODAY! Connect with our Recruiting Team!