Blog
September 26, 2024
Proposed OSHA Heat Injury and Illness Prevention Standard
OSHA recently published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking in the Federal Register regarding heat injury and illness prevention. If finalized, the new standard would apply to all employers conducting indoor and outdoor work in all general industry, construction, maritime and agricultural sectors where OSHA has jurisdiction, subject to limited exceptions. It would also be the...
September 24, 2024
Preventing Age Discrimination in the Workplace
Age discrimination, or ageism, in the workplace involves treating an applicant or employee unfavorably because of their age. The Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) prohibits age discrimination against those aged 40 or older in all aspects of employment, including hiring, firing, pay, job assignments, promotions, layoffs, training and benefits. Some states also have laws...
September 18, 2024
Motivating Employees to Spend More Time With Open Enrollment
Open enrollment is a critical period for both employees and employers. It’s the time when employees can make important decisions about their benefits, which can significantly impact their health, financial well-being and overall job satisfaction. However, many employees rush through this process, missing out on opportunities to optimize their benefits. In fact, a Voya Financial...
September 16, 2024
Ensuring Proper Workplace Ergonomics
October is recognized as National Ergonomics Month. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the purpose of this yearly initiative is to raise awareness of and help reduce occupational injuries caused by poor workstation design. Ergonomics is the science of fitting a workspace to an individual’s needs to increase efficiency while reducing...
September 11, 2024
Preparing for the Fall and Winter Virus Season
During the fall and winter months, respiratory viruses tend to spread more widely. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, influenza (flu) and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) were the main causes of severe respiratory disease during these times of year. Although some people have mild symptoms when they catch the flu or RSV, others get sick enough to...
September 10, 2024
Pay-or-Play Affordability Percentage Will Increase for 2025
On Sept. 6, 2024, the IRS released Revenue Procedure 2024-35 to index the contribution percentage in 2025 for determining the affordability of an employer’s plan under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). For plan years beginning in 2025, employer-sponsored coverage will be considered affordable under the ACA’s “pay-or-play” rules if the employee’s required contribution for self-only...
September 5, 2024
OSHA Releases New Online Severe Injury Report Dashboard
On Sept. 4, 2024, OSHA released an online tool giving users the ability to search its severe injury report (SIR) database and view trends related to workplace injuries occurring in states covered by federal OSHA. Key Highlights OSHA requires that employers report all severe work-related injuries, such as amputations, in-patient hospitalizations or losses of an...
September 4, 2024
Preparing for the 2024 Election
Federal, state and local elections are scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 5, this year. Employers should be aware of the number of ways elections impact the workplace. For instance, some employers are subject to voting leave requirements, and elections can lead to employee behavior challenges. As voting approaches, savvy employers can prepare by taking steps to...
August 29, 2024
Stopping Jobsite Theft
Construction businesses are at a heightened risk of jobsite theft, as expensive tools and machinery are attractive targets for criminals. Theft of construction materials can substantially disrupt a project, leading to delays and significant financial losses; therefore, it is essential for companies to understand how to prevent these incidents. Although every jobsite has its own...
August 28, 2024
Generative AI Benefits and Risks
As generative artificial intelligence (AI) advances, corporate boards are increasingly leveraging its capabilities to improve several aspects of their organizations. However, these boards must understand how to use this tool properly in order to use it effectively in their operations. They must also carefully analyze and weigh the risks it presents; otherwise, they may be...