CUNA Mutual Group is adapting with the times and has launched a new employment practices liability coverage and risk management offering. In 2008 CUNA Mutual reported a 30% spike in employment liability claims paid. Recognizing a growing trend, EPL now plays a key role in CUNA Mutual's new management and professional liability policy, which covers credit unions and their staffs against alleged violations of federal, state, local and common law related to past, present or prospective employment. According to bond and MPL product executive John Wallace, these allegations can range from discrimination, wrongful termination or workplace harassment. "Typical compensatory awards range from $100,000 to $500,000, which is conservative because it does not include punitive damages or other awards," Wallace said. "The recent spike in frequency and severity of employment-related lawsuits is driven primarily by higher unemployment rates." He added that a prevention-oriented approach combined with modern insurance coverage can help safeguard credit unions from potentially severe financial losses resulting from employment practices litigation, he added. "Our new online risk management resources are prepared by employment litigation specialists and can help credit unions avoid such losses," said Wallace. CUNA Mutual's employment practices risk management program includes Web-based resources that feature related articles, employment practices training modules for credit union staff, a reference library complete with papers, checklists, self-assessment tools and links to government Web sites, and model forms and policies. The free online resources will be available after Jan. 1, 2010, for credit unions purchasing EPL coverage with their MPL policy.