General Industry
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...
August 25, 2026
How to Reduce the Cost of Alternative Care
If you’ve considered acupuncture, specialized chiropractic care, functional medicine or integrative mental health counseling, you may have found that insurance coverage does not always work the same way it does for traditional medical care. Even when a provider does not accept insurance, you may still have options to help reduce your out-of-pocket costs. Alternative and...
August 13, 2026
Addressing Silent Burnout in the Workplace
Burnout is the state of chronic physical and emotional exhaustion from prolonged stress. According to Spring Health’s 2026 Workplace Mental Health Annual Report, 74% of employees have experienced burnout, while 61% of HR professionals say employee burnout has increased in the past year. Traditional burnout is generally easy to spot with missed deadlines, behavioral issues,...
August 5, 2026
California’s Minimum Wage Rate to Increase on Jan. 1, 2027
On July 31, 2026, the California Department of Finance (the Department) announced that the state’s hourly minimum wage will increase to $17.40 per hour on Jan. 1, 2027. The new rate will apply to all employers, regardless of how many individuals they employ. California’s Minimum Wage Rate California’s minimum wage rate is adjusted annually to...
August 3, 2026
Lightning Safety For Outdoor Workers
When lightning is present, it poses a significant risk to individuals working outdoors, particularly those in open spaces, near equipment or on tall structures. The risk of lightning strikes is often underestimated by workers, even though 300 people are injured by lightning strikes in the United States every year. Follow these tips to avoid severe...
July 30, 2026
4 Midyear HR Trends to Monitor
As 2026 moves into its second half, HR leaders are navigating a workforce that is being reshaped on several fronts at once. Artificial intelligence (AI) is changing hiring patterns, gig work is becoming a mainstream labor arrangement, burnout is reaching a measurable tipping point and employee confidence in the labor market remains historically weak. This...