Business Insights

What the EEOC’s FY 2023 Budget Justification Means for Employers

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) recently presented its budget for fiscal year 2023. Examining how the EEOC intends to spend its...

Live Well, Work Well – May 2022

Elevating Your Psychological Resiliency Psychological resilience refers to the ability to mentally withstand or adapt to uncertainty and adversity. Building resilience to...

Benefits Buzz – May 2022

IRS Suspends Notices to Delinquent Filers of Some Returns On March 22, 2022, the IRS announced it will temporarily stop sending written...

Safety Focused – May 2022

Avoiding Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Carbon monoxide (CO) is a byproduct of combustion. This gas is odorless, colorless and tasteless, so it can...

What Long COVID-19 Means for Return-to-Work Plans

Most of the United States is now open for in-person business, and mask mandates have mostly gone away. This can make it...

OFCCP Issues Guidance on EEO Laws for Federal Contractors

On April 6, 2022, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) announced a new directive issued by its Office of Federal Contract Compliance...

Coverage Insights: Business Owners Policy

A business owners policy (BOP) combines commercial general liability coverage with commercial property insurance for qualifying small and medium-sized companies. A BOP...

House Passes “SECURE 2.0” Bill

On March 29, 2022, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Securing a Strong Retirement Act of 2022 with a bipartisan vote...

DOJ Issues Guidance on Opioid Addiction and the ADA

On April 5, 2022, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) issued guidance on how the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) can protect...

IRS Proposes Change to Family Coverage Affordability Rules

On April 5, 2022, the IRS released a proposed rule that would change the existing rules for eligibility for the premium tax...

Coverage for Social Engineering Attacks (Crime vs. Cyber Insurance)

In the context of cybersecurity, social engineering refers to a cyberattack method in which a cybercriminal preys on key human behaviors (e.g.,...

The Status of OSHA’s Heat Hazard Protection Standard

On October 27, 2021, OSHA published an advance notice of proposed rule-making to officially start the process of creating a mandatory heat...

HR’s Role in Preventing Cyberattacks

Cyberattacks are a growing concern for employers across the globe but especially for those in the United States. According to the Identity...

Safety Focused Newsletter – April 2022

Fall Prevention Tips Fall hazards are some of the most common causes of serious injuries and deaths in the workplace. Fall-related incidents...

Benefits Buzz – April 2022

Telehealth Coverage for HDHPs Extended A spending bill signed into law on March 15, 2022, extends the ability of high-deductible health plans...

DOJ Issues Guidance on Web Accessibility and the ADA

On March 18, 2022, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) issued new guidance on web accessibility requirements under the Americans with Disabilities...

Remote Work Newsletter – March/April 2022

Creating a Psychologically Safe Work Environment Psychologically safe employees feel confident sharing ideas, asking questions, being themselves and even challenging the status...

EEOC Guidance on COVID-19 and Caregiver Discrimination

On March 14, 2022, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) issued 18 frequently asked questions and answers (FAQs) about the COVID-19 pandemic...

Spending Bill Extends Telehealth Coverage for HDHPs

A spending bill signed into law on March 15, 2022, extends the ability of high-deductible health plans (HDHPs) to provide benefits for...

Congress Adopts New Cybersecurity Reporting Requirements

On March 1, 2022, Congress passed the Cyber Incident Reporting for Critical Infrastructure Act of 2022 (the Act), which requires covered entities...

Live Well, Work Well Newsletter – April 2022

Nip Seasonal Allergies in the Bud More than 50 million Americans suffer from allergies every year. In particular, springtime allergies are an...

Supporting Employees Affected by International Crises

Supporting employee well-being is a critical responsibility of HR teams. Unfortunately, this worthwhile endeavor isn’t always straightforward. It can be particularly challenging...

Cyber Raised “Alarm Bells” for Brokers in Q4

A record rise of 34% for cyber insurance in the fourth quarter of 2021 marked the largest average price increase seen, and...

The Impact of Supply Chain Issues and Rising Inflation on Employers

The COVID-19 pandemic tipped off supply chain issues that may take years to reconcile. Due to virus disruptions, global systems that seemed...

Coverage Insights – Insurance Needs for Painters

Painters work on the interiors and exteriors of commercial and residential property and can also be tasked with wallpaper hangings. Since their...

Women’s Preventive Services Guidelines Updated for 2023

The Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) recently updated its preventive services guidelines to expand...

Benefits Buzz – March 2022

Women’s Preventive Services Guidelines Updated The Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) recently updated its...

Safety Focused – March 2022

The Importance of Hard Hats Hard hats are crucial pieces of personal protective equipment (PPE) while on the job. Wearing this PPE...

Live Well, Work Well Newsletter – March 2022

Understanding Your Kidney Health March is National Kidney Month, making it a great time to take charge of your health to lower...

Tips for Reducing Your Health Care Costs in 2022

Health care costs continue to rise each year, and 2022 will likely be no exception. In the new year, experts predict a...

Workers’ Compensation and Post-traumatic Stress Disorder

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that can develop in people after they experience a very stressful, scary or...

California Passes Supplemental Paid Sick Leave for COVID-19

California has enacted a new supplemental paid sick leave law requiring employers with more than 25 employees to provide them with up...

Workplace Technology Trends 1st Quarter 2022

Using Technology in Recruiting Organizations have leveraged technology in recruitment practices long before the pandemic, but COVID-19 and its repercussions have pushed...

The Case for Considering “Boomerang” Employees

Employers are having a hard time finding talent right now. Talent pools that have proven successful for years have suddenly dried up,...

2022 Health Plan Compliance Deadlines

Employers must comply with numerous reporting and disclosure requirements throughout the year in connection with their group health plans. This article explains key...

The Supply Chain Crisis and Business Resilience

The COVID-19 pandemic spurred a supply chain crisis as businesses were forced to halt operations to slow the spread of the virus...

The Impact of Inflation on the Commercial Insurance Market

Over the past year, inflation has become a growing concern. Inflation issues have largely resulted from a culmination of labor and supply...

Benefits Buzz – February 2022

Current Status of the Federal Vaccine Mandates A number of federal vaccine requirements have been imposed, all of which have faced various...

Safety Focused – February 2022

Flammable and Combustible Liquid Safety Flammable and combustible liquids may be present in your workplace. If these liquids aren’t handled and stored...

Remote Work Newsletter – January/February 2022

Making the Most of Your Home Workstation It’s essential to periodically review your home workstation and ensure you’re set up for success...

DOL Publishes Guidance on $15 Minimum Wage for Federal Contractor Employees

On January 13, 2022, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) published Field Assistance Bulletin (FAB) 2022-1 to help federal contractors understand and...

Executive Risk Updates: 2022 Workplace Class Actions

The number of employment-related class actions reached an all-time high in 2021, with settlements totaling more than $3.62 billion, according to the...

Live Well, Work Well Newsletter – February 2022

Reducing Your Stress During American Heart Month According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), heart disease is the leading...

Benefits and Me – February 2022

Managing Chronic Conditions According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 6 in 10 adults have a chronic disease – and...

Understand Your Rights Against Surprise Medical Bills

The No Surprises Act protects people covered under group and individual health plans from receiving surprise medical bills when they receive most...

5 HR Trends to Monitor in 2022

Human resources (HR) departments are given more responsibility each year, often with budgets that don’t match these changes. As a result, HR...

2022 Cyber Liability Insurance Market Outlook

The cyber insurance market is at a critical juncture for both insurance carriers and policyholders. While the last few years have seen...

2022 General Liability Insurance Market Outlook

The general liability market has consistently underperformed for insurance carriers in recent years. As claims have increased in frequency and severity, insurance...

2022 Commercial Property Insurance Market Outlook

The commercial property insurance market has hardened in recent years, resulting in quarterly rate increases since Q3 2017. Unfortunately, these rate increases...

2022 Directors and Officers Liability Insurance Market Outlook

Over the past few years, there has been a shift in the directors and officers (D&O) market, with double-digit rate increases and...

2022 Employment Practices Liability Insurance Market Outlook

Like many other lines of insurance, the employment practices liability (EPL) insurance market has hardened. This is due, in part, to a...

2022 Commercial Auto Insurance Market Outlook

Over the past decade, the commercial auto space has been largely unprofitable for insurance carriers. According to a recent report from AM...

California Employment Laws Effective January 1, 2022

In general, once approved by both the state legislature and the state governor, a new bill in California becomes effective on January...

2022 Workers’ Compensation Insurance Market Outlook

Unlike other lines of coverage, the market for workers’ compensation insurance has remained stable across most states and industries, performing as an...

Benefits Buzz – January 2022

Supreme Court will Review Federal Vaccine Mandates On December 22, 2021, the U.S. Supreme Court announced that it will hear oral arguments...

Congress Adopts New Cybersecurity Reporting Requirements

On March 1, 2022, Congress passed the Cyber Incident Reporting for Critical Infrastructure Act of 2022 (the Act), which requires covered entities...

Attracting and Retaining Truck Drivers Amid Labor Shortages

No matter the industry, employers of all sizes are struggling to attract and retain quality workers right now. This is particularly the...

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Releases Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries Data

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) recently released its 2020 national census of fatal occupational injuries. The census, which represents the...

Safety Focused – January 2022

Lifting Safety Measures There are many tasks that may require you to lift heavy objects on the job. Although these everyday tasks...

Live Well, Work Well – January 2021

How to Make – and Keep – Your New Year’s Resolution As the new year approaches, you may find yourself reflecting on...

Attraction & Retention Newsletter – 1st Quarter 2022

Market Recap 3 Pandemic-Influenced Recruiting Trends to Watch in 2022 With the new year comes new opportunities to attract and retain top...

Benefits and Me Newsletter – January 2022

Making Better Health Care Decisions It’s important to be an active participant in your health care. This can start with feeling empowered...

DOL Published Guidance on Overtime Pay for H-2B Workers

On December 7, 2021, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) published Field Assistance Bulletin (FAB) No. 2021-3 to help employers understand their...

Considerations for Choosing a Medical Provider for Workers’ Compensation Injuries

Workers’ compensation covers benefits for your employees if and when they are injured on the job. It can provide flexible compensation for...

Workplace Parties During the 2021 Holiday Season

Many employees look forward to year-end workplace holiday celebrations. These events allow employees to celebrate with their colleagues and sometimes even family...

Preparing for an OSHA Inspection

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is the government agency that monitors and enforces compliance with workplace safety laws. Under the...

Remote Work Tips – December 2021

Establishing a Work-from-Home Routine As a remote worker, it’s up to you to be just as motivated and focused as you would...

Why Is It So Hard to Find Workers Right Now?

Employers across the country are facing a pronounced issue right now: too many open positions and not enough workers. On its face,...

Benefits Buzz – December 2021

New Rule Requires Reporting of Medical and Prescription Drug Costs On November 17, 2021, federal agencies released an interim final rule requiring...

Safety Focused – December 2021

Winter Driving Safety Precautions A variety of winter weather conditions – including snow, slush, ice and sleet – can create hazards on...

Cybersecurity Tips for Online Shopping During the Holidays

5 Hybrid Work Model Mistakes to Avoid

The COVID-19 pandemic forced businesses to adapt and test their operational capacities. One of the most common pivots has been remote work....

Federal Court Blocks OSHA COVID-19 Vaccination and Testing ETS

On Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021, the fifth Circuit Court of Appeals ordered a temporary stay on the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s...

OSHA COVID-19 ETS: Determining the Number of Employees

On November 4, 2021, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) announced a federal emergency temporary standard (ETS) to address the grave...

Key Things to Know About COVID-19 Vaccines

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has issued an emergency temporary standard (ETS) to minimize the risk of COVID-19 transmission in...

COVID-19 Vaccination and Testing ETS FAQs

On Nov. 4, 2021, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) announced a federal emergency temporary standard (ETS) to address the danger...

Safety Matters – Bucket Truck Safety

Bucket trucks are one of the best ways to provide a safe, elevated platform for workers, allowing them to use both arms...

Benefits Buzz – November 2021

FAQs Address COVID-19 Vaccine Coverage and Premium Discounts On October 4, 2021, the Departments of Labor (DOL), Health and Human Services (HHS)...

Safety Focused – November 2021

Handling Chemical Spills, Leaks and Explosions Storing or handling chemicals in the workplace puts all employees at risk. Workers like you could...

California Updates ABC Test Exemptions

On September 30, 2021, California updated its exceptions to the law that regulates independent contractor classification (AB 5). AB 5 requires a...

How Natural Immunity to COVID-19 Might Factor Into Vaccine Mandates

Recently, President Joe Biden announced sweeping COVID-19 vaccination mandates. Federal employees must now be vaccinated as a condition of employment. And, soon,...

COVID-19 Medical Bills Expected to Rise

COVID-19 medical bills are expected to increase next year. During the height of the pandemic, insurers waived the costs of certain COVID-19-related...

Clarifying Guidance on COBRA Deadline Extension Relief

IRS Notice 2021-58 clarifies the application of certain COBRA deadline extensions for electing COBRA coverage and paying COBRA premiums under prior relief...

Ransomware Largest Driver of Cyber Insurance Claims in the Last Five Years

Ransomware represented the number one cause of loss in a study of almost 6,000 cyber insurance claims, with the average ransom rising...

Impact of the HIPAA Privacy Rule on COVID-19 Vaccine Inquiries

On September 30, 2021, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued frequently asked questions (FAQs) on the application of the...

FAQs Address COVID-19 Vaccine Coverage and Premium Discounts

On October 4, 2021, the Department of Labor (DOL), Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Treasury (Departments) issued FAQs addressing rules...

Benefits Buzz – October 2021

Medicare Part D Notices Due Before October 15, 2021 Each year, Medicare Part D requires group health plan sponsors to disclose whether...

Safety Focused – October 2021

Making the Most of Eye Injury Prevention Month October is Eye Injury Prevention Month. This annual campaign is intended to educate organizations...

Commercial Property Insurance Rating

Understanding the outside factors that impact your commercial property insurance can be complicated, particularly for those with little to no knowledge of...

DOL Announces Final Rule on Tip Regulations

On September 23, the U.S. Department of Labor announced a final rule that will amend Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) regulations for...

What President Biden’s Vaccine Mandate Means for Employers

President Joe Biden’s administration is continuing its efforts to curb the COVID-19 pandemic and the spread of the deadly coronavirus Delta variant....

OSHA Developing Private Sector Emergency Temporary Standard for COVID-19

On September 9, 2021, President Biden announced that the Occupational Safety and Health administration (OSHA) is developing an emergency temporary standards (ETS)....

Safety Focused – September 2021

Preparing for Workplace Emergencies September is National Preparedness Month, which encourages individuals and businesses alike to prepare for emergency situations, disasters and...

Preparing for Workplace Emergencies

September is National Preparedness Month, which encourages individuals and businesses alike to prepare for emergency situations, disasters and health risks that could...

Benefits Buzz – September 2021

Agencies Issue No Surprise Act and Transparency Rule FAQs On August 20, 2o21, the Department of Labor (DOL), Health and Human Services...

Work Comp Insights: The First 24 Hours After an Injury

The First 24 Hours After an Injury The moment an injury occurs, it initiates a sequence of events that can last for...

SPD ERISA Requirements- Are you Compliant?

Granite SPD Wrap ERISA Requirements

The Importance of Prompt Claims Reporting

The rising cost of claims presents a significant challenge for employers today. However, there is a simple strategy that can significantly reduce...

10 Open Enrollment Terms You Should Know

Open enrollment can be a hectic time, so it’s important you fully understand the terms used in your benefit descriptions. For instance,...

When is a Workers’ Compensation Claim Compensable?

Carefully evaluating workers’ compensation claims is crucial in helping your company save money and prevent fraud. Workers’ compensation is simply a form...