2024 Midyear Employment Law Compliance Trends - Throughout 2024, there have been significant changes in employment law at the federal, state and local levels. A review of recent and proposed legislation reveals a number...

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Zoning Out: The Signs, Causes and When to Get Help - “Zoning out” is a mild and common form of dissociation. Nearly everyone does it from time to time. Zoning out can serve as a coping mechanism when you are bored,...

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The Health Benefits of Camping - Millions of Americans enjoy camping each year, especially as temperatures rise and days get longer in the summer. Moreover, interest among noncampers has been growing steadily for years....

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OSHA’s Safe and Sound Week Scheduled for Aug. 12-18 - Each year, more than 5,000 workers are killed on the job. Additionally, more than 3.6 million employees are seriously injured each year while at work. Because of...

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OSHA Proposes Heat Injury & Illness Prevention Standard - On July 2, 2024, the U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) announced an unofficial version of the proposed ...

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Federal Courts Block Enforcement of Certain Section 1557 Nondiscrimination Provisions - On April 26, 2024, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Office of Civil Rights (OCR) issued a final rule under...

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The Role of a Data Breach Coach in Cyber Incident Response - Cybersecurity events can lead to businesses sustaining substantial financial and reputational damage. Recovering from these incidents can also be complicated...

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CVSA’s Brake Safety Week Scheduled for Aug. 25-31 - The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) recently scheduled this year’s Brake Safety Week for Aug. 25-31, 2024. This annual event aims to emphasize the importance...

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The Importance of Timely Notice Under Claims-made Liability Policies - Claims-made liability policies require timely notice of claims or circumstances that could lead to a claim for an insured to qualify for coverage....

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Workers Compensation Insurance - Profitable underwriting results have generated favorable conditions across the workers’ compensation insurance market for nearly a decade. According to the National Council on...

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Cyber Insurance - Heightened claim frequency and severity have created a volatile cyber insurance market in recent years, with most policyholders facing ongoing premium increases. Fortunately, the segment experienced...

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US Supreme Court Overrules Chevron Deference - On June 28, 2024, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a decision in Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo and Relentless Inc. v. Department of Commerce. The Court overruled its...

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Forecasters Up Their Hurricane Outlook After Hyperactive Beryl - Researchers at Colorado State University have upped their forecast for this year’s Atlantic hurricane season, now projecting at least 25 named storms,...

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Texas Federal District Court Partially Blocks the FTC's Noncompete Ban - On July 3, 2024, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas granted the plaintiffs’ motion in Ryan LLC v. FTC for a preliminary...

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Using HSAs, Health FSAs and HRAs for Over-the-Counter Items - Health savings accounts (HSAs), health flexible spending accounts (FSAs) and health reimbursement arrangements (HRAs) may provide tax-free reimbursements of...

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The DOL Overtime Rule’s Impact on Employee Benefit - The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) final rule issued on April 23, 2024, increases the salary thresholds used to determine whether executive, administrative and...

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Large Jury Verdicts Rising Steadily, Especially for Product Liability - According to a recent report from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Institute for Legal Reform (ILR), large jury verdicts over $10 million continue to...

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IRS FAQs on Educational Assistance Programs - The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has issued frequently asked questions (FAQs) that provide general information on educational assistance programs under Section 127 of the...

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Coverage of Gender-affirming Care: Employer Considerations - In Lange v. Houston County, the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that it was a violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VII) for an...

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The Value of Inland Marine Insurance - Contrary to its name, inland marine insurance does not relate to the ocean or waterways; rather, it can help reimburse losses stemming from an organization’s products, materials...

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Commercial Auto Insurance - Plummeting profitability has been an ongoing concern in the commercial auto insurance segment, prompting hardening conditions and continued rate hikes. While the majority of policyholders saw...

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Commercial Property Insurance - The commercial property insurance segment has been characterized by ongoing premium increases for much of the past decade. According to industry data, such rate jumps reached record-...

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Federal Youth Employment Law - The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) oversees and enforces federal youth employment laws through the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). Under the FLSA, employers are prohibited from employing “...

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DOL Prioritizes Enforcement of Youth Employment Laws - The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) oversees and enforces federal youth employment laws through the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). The FLSA prohibits organizations...

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SURVIVING THE SUMMER HEAT - Summer brings longer days and plenty of sunshine, but with it comes the challenge of staying cool amidst soaring temperatures. The sweltering heat can lead to various heat-related illnesses,...

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Defending AI Systems From Malicious Data Poisoning Attacks - As the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) continues to grow, businesses that utilize these technologies must also be aware of the...

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Workers’ Compensation System Shows Financial Strength and Lower Claim Frequency - The performance of the workers’ compensation system remains strong, according to a new State of the Line Report from the National Council...

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OSHA Publishes Its Updated Hazard Communication Standard - On May 20, 2024, OSHA published its final rule on its Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) to conform to the United Nations’ Globally Harmonized System of...

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- On May 31, 2024, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Office for Civil Rights (OCR) updated its frequently asked questions (FAQs) regarding HIPAA and the recent cybersecurity incident involving...

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DOL Issues Gag Clause Attestation Resources for 2024 - On May 24, 2024, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) issued various resources to assist health plans and health insurance issuers in annually submitting their...

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3rd Circuit Rules USERRA May Require Paid Leave - On May 21, 2024, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 3rd Circuit held that short-term military leave may be comparable to jury duty leave and bereavement leave and...

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DOJ Releases Proposed Rule to Ease Federal Restrictions on Marijuana - On May 16, 2024, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) announced a proposed rule that would reschedule marijuana from a Schedule I to a Schedule III...

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Property Pricing May Have Eased, but Brokers Still Having Trouble - Commercial property and casualty insurance premiums rose an average of 7.7% in the first quarter of 2024, up slightly from 7.0% in Q4 2023, according...

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NOAA Predicts “Above Normal” 2024 Hurricane Season - The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predicts “above-normal” activity in the Atlantic basin this hurricane season, typically lasting June...

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Kia Recalls Over 450,000 Vehicles Due to Fire Risk - Kia America is recalling nearly 463,000 Telluride SUVs due to concerns that the front seats may catch on fire. The recall applies to model year 2020-2024 vehicles....

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Covered Property Under Commercial Property Insurance - Businesses often rely on buildings, structures, tools and equipment to provide products and services. Moreover, many businesses are responsible for storing others’...

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Covered Perils Under Basic and Broad Forms of Commercial Property Policies - A business’s property is essential to its operations, so property losses can create substantial disruptions. Securing commercial property...

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HR Compliance Bulletin: Preparing for the Corporate Transparency Act - The Corporate Transparency Act (CTA), which became effective Jan. 1, 2024, requires certain business entities, or CTA “reporting companies,” to...

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PCORI Fees Due July 31, 2024 - The Affordable Care Act (ACA) requires health insurance issuers and self-insured plan sponsors to pay Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute fees (PCORI fees). The fees are reported...

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Combating Summertime Stressors - Many people experience better mental health and mood during the summer due to longer days and sunlight. Yet the season is stressful for others; summertime stressors and extreme weather...

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Beat the Summer Heat - Summer heat can be more than uncomfortable; it can threaten your health, especially for older adults and children. Hot and humid weather can make it more challenging for your body to cool down,...

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CVSA Reveals 2024 Focus for Upcoming Operation Safe Driver Week - Operation Safe Driver Week-an annual campaign conducted by the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA)-will take place from July 7-13, 2024. This year’...

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EEOC Announces July 9 “Failure to File” Deadline for 2023 EEO-1 Reports - On June 5, 2024, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced that it had entered the “Failure to File” phase for EEO-1...

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June is National Safety Month - June is National Safety Month. This campaign, put together by the National Safety Council (NSC), highlights efforts to prevent injuries and deaths inside and outside the workplace. It...

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Overview of the EEOC's workplace Guidance to Prevent Harassment - On April 29, 2024, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) published its final guidance on harassment in the workplace, which went into...

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DOL Issues Guidance on AI-related Wage and Hour Risks - On April 29, 2024, the U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) Wage and Hour Division (WHD) published Field Assistance Bulletin (FAB) No. 2024-1 on the use of artificial...

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The Power of Self-care - Self-care is the practice of intentionally engaging in activities that positively impact mental, physical and emotional well-being. It directly correlates to mental health, as self-care...

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Explore the Great Outdoors - Spending even a few moments outside daily can significantly improve your physical health by reducing muscle tension, regulating sleep and improving your work performance. Experiencing the...

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Cybersecurity Awareness Programs: Benefits and Implementation - Businesses of all sizes are susceptible to cyberattacks such as phishing scams, malware attacks and ransomware schemes, which can create significant...

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Casualty Claims Severity Significantly Outpacing Economic Inflation - Claims costs for commercial auto, professional liability, product liability and directors and officers liability insurance have exceeded economic...

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OSHA Releases Its Injury Tracking Application 2023 Injury and Illness Data - On April 18, 2024, OSHA released the 2023 injury and illness data collected under the Improved Tracking of Workplace Injuries and Illness...

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New HIPAA Rule Will Require Updates to Privacy Notices - On April 26, 2024, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued a final rule that strengthens the HIPAA Privacy Rule by prohibiting the...

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- - HHS’ FAQs on Section 1557 Nondiscrimination Final Rule - Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) prohibits discrimination based on race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability in certain health...

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Answers to Frequently Asked Questions About the DOL’s Final Overtime Rule - On April 23, 2024, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) announced a final rule to amend current requirements employees in white-collar...

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DOL Issues Guidance on AI and FMLA Administration - The Wage and Hour Division (WHD) of the U.S. Department of Labor recently published a Field Assistance Bulletin (FAB) warning that the use of artificial intelligence (...

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DOL Announces Final Overtime Rule Increasing Salary Levels for White-collar Employees - On April 23, 2024, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) announced a final rule to amend current requirements employees in white-...

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HHS Finalizes Rule to Strengthen Reproductive Health Care Privacy - The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has issued a final rule that strengthens the HIPAA Privacy Rule by prohibiting the disclosure of...

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HSA/HDHP Limits Will Increase for 2025 - On May 9, 2024, the IRS released Revenue Procedure 2024-25 to provide the inflation-adjusted limits for health savings accounts (HSAs) and high deductible health plans (HDHPs)...

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Scheduled Versus Blanket Limits for Commercial Property Insurance - Commercial property insurance is an essential form of coverage for any organization. Such a policy can provide much-needed financial protection if an...

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Preparing for the FTC’s Noncompete Ban - On April 23, 2024, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) voted to issue a final rule that would prohibit employers from entering into or enforcing noncompete clauses with most...

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Key Provisions From the DOL’s Final Overtime Rule for White-collar Employees - The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) requires employers to compensate their employees for all hours employees are “suffered or permitted” to...

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Group Health Plan Fiduciary Litigation on the Rise - Enforcement of the strict standards of fiduciary conduct set forth in the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) has traditionally been reserved for...

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FTC Announces Rule Banning Noncompetes - On April 23, 2024, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) voted to issue a final rule that would ban noncompete agreements in virtually all employment relationships. The final rule...

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DOL Rescinds 2018 Final Rule on Association Health Plans - On April 29, 2024, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) released a final rule that rescinds in its entirety a prior 2018 final rule on association health plans (...

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DOL Issues Final Retirement Security Rule and Related Amendments to PTE - On April 23, 2024, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) issued a final retirement security rule updating the definition of an investment advice...

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Optional Commercial Property Coverage Offerings Under the BPP - Commercial property insurance provides much-needed financial protection if an organization’s property is directly damaged or destroyed by a covered peril (...

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Mental Health Parity Compliance Remains a Key Focus in 2024 - The federal government is continuing its efforts to improve access to mental health and substance use disorder (MH/SUD) care in 2024, with a top enforcement...

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Study Shows 40% of Insured Workers Delay Health Care Due to Cost - A study by employee health payment platform Paytient revealed the challenges Americans face with employer-sponsored insurance. Notably, 40% of workers...

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U.S. Supreme Court Rules That Mandatory Job Transfer Can Be Discriminatory Under Title VII - On April 17, 2024, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a unanimous decision in Muldrow v. City of St. Louis, holding that a...

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How Return-to-Work Programs Impact Workers’ Compensation Expenses - Workers’ compensation expenses are determined by a wide range of factors; however, one of the most significant cost components in any workers’...

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Health Care Costs and Your Employee Health Plan - Health care costs, and consequently employee health benefits costs, have been increasing at an alarming rate for nearly a decade. Avoiding rising health care costs is...

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Breaking Down Mental Health Stigma - May is Mental Health Awareness Month, a national health observance dedicated to shedding light on mental health conditions and fostering understanding and support for those...

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Mental Health in America and How to Get Help - More than half of adults in the United States will experience mental illness-which refers to a variety of conditions that affect one’s mood, behavior, feelings or thinking-...

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EEOC Releases Final Rule Implementing Pregnant Workers Fairness Act - On April 15, 2024, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) released a final rule to implement the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA)...

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OSHA Announces Final Rule on Worker Walkaround Representative Designation - OSHA recently announced its final rule that clarifies the rights of employees to authorize a representative to accompany an OSHA compliance...

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Cloud Security Management Explained - Cloud computing refers to a pay-per-use service that equips users with on-demand access to a range of IT resources (e.g., databases, software, servers, networking and analytics...

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What Are Specialty Drug Benefits? - Specialty drugs, also known as specialty pharmaceuticals, are some of the most expensive prescriptions you can buy-costing up to $2,000 or more per month. Unfortunately, they may also...

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OSHA’s Worker Walkaround Designation Process Frequently Asked Questions - On March 29, 2024, OSHA announced its final rule that clarifies the rights of employees to authorize a nonemployee, third-party representative to...

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Preparing for the DOL’s New Overtime Rule - In early March 2024, the U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) proposed overtime rule, announced in August 2023, entered its last stage of review. Publication of the final rule is...

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Form 5500 Deadline is July 31st - Each year, employers that are subject to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) must electronically file an annual report (Form 5500) for each employee benefit plan...

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ACA Information Reporting Penalties Increased for Returns Filed in 2025 - IRS Revenue Procedure 2023-34 includes updated penalty amounts that may apply to reporting entities that fail to comply with the Affordable Care...

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- Differences Between Traditional and Cyber Business Interruption Policies - When organizations face large-scale disasters or other unexpected losses, ensuring business continuity is often a top priority. Yet, various...

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Understanding Common CGL Policy Exclusion - Commercial general liability (CGL) insurance is an essential form of coverage for any organization. Such a policy can provide much-needed financial protection if an...

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Why It Can Pay to Have Uninsured Motorist Insurance - Car insurance is a vital safeguard for drivers that is often legally required by states. Specifically, auto liability insurance (a standard component of a car...

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Vehicle Thefts Hit a New Record in 2023: NICB - Vehicle thefts have steadily increased since 2019, rising about 1% in 2023 to 1,020,729 and setting a new record for stolen vehicles, according to new data from the...

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- Report Highlights Growing Demand for Family-friendly Benefits - A new report released by family health benefits platform Ovia Health by Labcorp (Ovia) uncovered U.S. workers’ preferences for family-friendly workplace...

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- 4 Ways AI Will Impact the Workplace in 2024 - Artificial intelligence (AI) garnered attention from every industry in 2023, revolutionizing the way organizations operate and make decisions. Many employers adopted this...

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- Health Care Industry Trends to Watch in 2024 - In recent years, the health care industry has been navigating a landscape fraught with volatility. Shifting market demands, supply chain struggles and medical inflation...

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- New TX Law Prohibits COVID-19 Vaccination Mandates - As of Feb. 6, 2024, a new Texas law prohibits all private employers in the state from adopting or enforcing any COVID-19 vaccination mandates for workers. Covered...

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Navigating the Auto Insurance Market in 2024 - Like most people, you may have seen your car insurance premiums increase this year even if you haven’t had any auto accidents in the past 12 months. The personal car...

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- Tips for Home Buyers in 2024 - For millions of Americans, home insurance remains an essential financial safeguard. These policies can provide critical financial security as homeowners seek to protect their fiscal...

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- DOL Releases Benefit-related Penalty Amounts for 202 - On Jan. 11, 2024, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) published the 2024 inflation-adjusted civil monetary penalties that may be assessed for a wide range of...

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- 2023 Employment Law Changes Important in 2024 - The year 2023 brought about significant shifts in the employment law landscape, impacting how organizations navigate the complex web of regulations governing workplaces....

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- Benefits of Return-to-Work Programs for Employers and Employees - According to the National Safety Council, a worker gets hurt on the job every seven seconds. And when an employee experiences an occupational illness...

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- Compliance Overview: Top Health Plan Compliance Issues for 2024 - Employers should be aware of the top compliance issues that impact their health plan coverage for 2024. Some of these compliance issues are established...

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- Data Breach Class Actions Skyrocketed in 2023 - Data breach class action lawsuits “exploded” in 2023, according to Duane Morris LLP’s Class Action Review 2024, becoming one of the fastest growing areas of litigation...

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- 5 Employment Policies to Review in 2024 - Employee handbooks are important tools for establishing employee expectations, addressing workplace issues and defending against potential lawsuits. Failing to update the...

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The Business Implications of the DOL’s New Independent Contractor Rule - On Jan. 9, 2024, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) released a final rule, effective March 11, 2024, revising the agency’s guidance on how to...

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- Top 2024 Wellness Trends - As the workplace landscape continues to evolve, so does the understanding of employee wellness. In 2024, organizations are embracing innovative strategies to prioritize their workforce's...

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- OSHA Proposes to Issue a New Emergency Response Standard - On Feb. 5, 2024, OSHA published a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to issue a new safety and health standard, titled Emergency Response, to replace the...

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NCCI Experience Modification Factor 2024 Changes FAQs - The National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI) is making alterations to its experience modification factor for 2024. These changes are slated to go into...

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- 7 Key Employee Benefits Trends in 2024 - Attracting and retaining employees has challenged employers since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2024, the labor market is expected to cool slightly; however,...

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- Mental Health Minute - January 2024 - Mental Health Benefits of a Clean, Organized Space - If you’re struggling with seasonal affective disorder, anxiety, depression or other mental health issues, keeping your home...

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- Early-career and Entry-level Development Programs to Attract Talent - In the competitive landscape of today's job market, attracting and retaining top-tier talent is a priority for organizations looking to secure...

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- OSHA Form 300A Posting Requirements Begin Feb. 1 - The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires employers subject to its recordkeeping requirements to post copies of their OSHA Form 300A between ...

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- House Passes Bipartisan Act to Lower Health Care Costs and Increase Price Transparency - On Dec. 11, 2023, the U.S. House of Representatives passed landmark bipartisan legislation to lower the cost of health care and...

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- Workplace Fatalities Up 5.7% According to Bureau of Labor Statistics - The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) recently released its 2022 national census of fatal occupational injuries. The census, which represents...

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- Benefits and Risks of Rooftop Solar Panels for Commercial Properties - As solar rooftops become an increasingly common addition to commercial properties, businesses need to be aware of the pros and cons of this...

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OSHA’s Safety and Health Bulletin on Safety Helmets in the Workplace - On Nov. 22, 2023, OSHA provided a Safety and Health Information Bulletin (SHIB) on the use of safety helmets in the workplace. The SHIB provides the...

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- 8 Tips for Modernizing Hiring in 2024 - As talent acquisition continues to evolve, staying ahead of the curve is crucial for organizations aiming to attract and retain top-tier talent. Last year highlighted labor...

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- Live Well, Work Well - January 2024 - How to Make-and Keep-Your New Year’s Resolution - As a new year begins, you may be reflecting on the past year. This introspection is a significant first step toward selecting a...

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- Benefits Breakdown - January 2024 - 4 Key Trends Driving Employer Health Care Costs in 2024 - Amid ongoing inflation pressures, employees and employers alike can expect their health care costs to increase in 2024....

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