General Industry
October 6, 2026
How to Announce Open Enrollment to Employees
Open enrollment allows your workforce to make decisions about their health plans and benefits for the upcoming year. How and when you inform employees about this period can determine whether they fully engage with this opportunity, passively enroll or let it pass them by entirely. A rushed or vague announcement can lead to confusion, missed...
September 29, 2026
Understanding Retainage Disputes
Retainage is a common construction practice in which a portion of payments due to a contractor or subcontractor is withheld until agreed project milestones or completion requirements have been satisfied. When used appropriately, retainage is intended to incentivize contractors and subcontractors to complete work to the expected standard and ensure that defects or deficiencies are...
September 24, 2026
Why Healthcare Costs Will Rise Significantly in 2027
Healthcare costs, and consequently employee benefit costs, have been growing at an alarming rate in recent years, and they’re not slowing down. Mercer projects that the total health benefit cost per employee will rise 8.2% on average in 2027, after accounting for cost-cutting measures, the highest increase in 15 years. To put it in perspective,...
September 15, 2026
October Is Cybersecurity Awareness Month
October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month. This month, the public and private sectors are encouraged to work together to raise awareness of the importance of cybersecurity. October 2026 marks the 23rd Cybersecurity Awareness Month. This event serves as a reminder that businesses must stay cybersecure to safeguard company data, protect customers’ personal information and ensure employee...
September 10, 2026
Open Enrollment Changes to Watch For
Open enrollment often appears unchanged from one year to the next, but you may be surprised by what is new when you enroll this cycle. Carriers adjust plan pricing, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) updates contribution limits, and employers revise their benefits offerings based on utilization and employee feedback from the prior year. As a...
September 9, 2026
Navigating Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Risks
As the electric vehicle (EV) market continues to expand, a growing number of businesses have added EV charging spaces to the parking lots, garages and fleet yards of their commercial properties. While these spaces are certainly beneficial for EV drivers, they also carry substantial risks not found in standard parking infrastructure, particularly regarding fire safety....
September 1, 2026
Managing Project Delays and Stoppages
Construction projects are frequently delayed or temporarily halted by adverse weather, permit problems, labor shortages, supply chain disruptions and financing challenges. These setbacks not only push back a completion date; they can change the risk profile of the entire project. Proactive planning can help employers limit financial losses and keep a project protected from start...
August 31, 2026
2027 Open Enrollment Trends to Monitor
Open enrollment season is arriving with a different feel this year. Costs are climbing faster than they have in over a decade, employees are asking for benefits that reflect the realities of their lives rather than a one-size-fits-all package, and new technology is changing how people choose their coverage. For employers, that means open enrollment...
August 27, 2026
Preventing Employee Slips, Trips and Falls
Fall weather can create new workplace hazards as rain, mud and fallen leaves make walking surfaces slippery. Shorter daylight hours can also reduce visibility around entrances, sidewalks and parking areas. Without proper precautions, these changing conditions can contribute to employee injuries, workers’ compensation claims and operational disruptions. Common Seasonal Hazards Slip, trip and fall hazards...