EEOC and DOJ Issue Guidance on DEI-related Discrimination - On March 19, 2025, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) issued joint guidance on illegal and...

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News Brief: Report Finds 1 in 4 Workers Unaware of the Mental Health Benefits - A survey conducted in January 2025 by the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) found that 1 in 4 workers is unaware whether their...

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Selecting the FMLA Leave year - Under the federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), covered employers must allow eligible employees to take 12 weeks of unpaid job-protected leave per each 12-month period for...

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Mental Health Care Benefits Strategies - In today’s work environment, employees are increasingly grappling with common mental health challenges such as burnout, stress and anxiety, as well as other diagnosable mental...

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Types of Transitional Duties in Return-to-Work Programs - When an employee experiences an occupational illness or injury, their eventual return to the workplace can create considerable challenges, putting significant...

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Best Practices for Return-to-Work Programs - One of the biggest components of workers’ compensation is an effective return-to-work (RTW) program. Eliminating injuries and illnesses is paramount for reducing workers’...

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Psychiatry Basics and Health Plan Coverage - A psychiatrist is a medical doctor specializing in mental health, including substance use disorders. They are trained to diagnose, treat and help prevent a wide range of...

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USCIS Updates Form I-9 and E-Verify - On April 2, 2025, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) updated its Employment Eligibility Verification form (Form I-9) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS)...

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Engaging Generation Z in the Workplace - Generation Z (Gen Z) accounts for a growing percentage of the global workforce. In the second quarter of 2024, this group comprised 18% of the U.S. labor force, and this rate...

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Stress Vs. Anxiety - Stress and anxiety are often used interchangeably, but they aren’t the same. While both are emotional responses, stress is typically caused by an external trigger. Stress is the body’s reaction to a...

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Mitigating VPN Vulnerabilities - A virtual private network (VPN) is a type of technology that uses an encrypted connection to route internet traffic through a remote server, granting a user access to certain digital...

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Boosting your Mental Health Daily - Mental Health Awareness Month is observed every May to help break the stigma and support people living with mental health conditions. Mental illness refers to a range of diagnosed...

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It’s OK Not to Be OK - Mental Health Awareness Month, observed every May, serves as a crucial reminder that mental health is just as important as physical health. This national health observance is meant to raise...

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Voluntary Benefits ERISA Compliance Exemption - Voluntary benefits are optional benefits that employers may offer to enhance their traditional benefits packages. Offering voluntary benefits allows an employer to include...

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New Executive Order Seeks to Lower Drug Prices and Improve PBM Transparency - On April 15, 2025, President Donald Trump issued an executive order (EO) that directs his administration to take a wide range of actions to...

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Allergy Proof your Spring - You may notice that you sneeze and cough more during certain times of the year. In this case, you may have seasonal allergies, which are allergy symptoms that occur during specific times of...

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Employers Should Start Preparing for 2025 RxDC Reporting - Group health plans and health insurance issuers must annually submit detailed information on prescription drug and health care spending to the Centers for...

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Coping With Stress - April is Stress Awareness Month, a time dedicated to acknowledging the commonality of stress and empowering individuals to manage it effectively. Stress is the body’s natural response to an external...

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10 Strategies to Address Distracted Driving - Distracted driving is a safety risk that can lead to vehicle accidents, injuries and even fatalities. Employers have a responsibility to encourage safe driving habits among...

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Protecting Employees' Medical Information in the Workplace - Employers obtain employees’ medical information for various reasons, such as verifying a reasonable accommodation request, certifying leave or confirming...

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Preventing Slips and Trips During Springtime - While spring is often associated with fresh blooms and warmer temperatures, it may also bring rain showers. This type of weather can create wet and slippery conditions,...

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Preventing Distracted Driving with Technology - Distracted driving can be a significant risk for companies that operate vehicles, whether for deliveries, sales visits or transportation services. Even a momentary lapse...

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Creating and Effective Distracted Driving Policy - Distracted driving is one of the leading causes of vehicle accidents, posing significant risks to both individuals and businesses. An average of nine people are killed...

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Employee Assistance Programs - Employee assistance programs (EAPs) are work-based intervention programs that connect employees with resources to identify and address personal problems. EAPs typically include a variety...

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Navigating Cybersecurity Challenges in the Health Care Industry - Health care providers have been increasingly utilizing technology and turning to digitization. Innovations such as telehealth, artificial intelligence (...

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2025 Federal Poverty Levels Impact Employer Liability Under Pay-or-Play Rules - The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) updates federal poverty levels (FPLs) each year to determine eligibility for certain...

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Stress in the Workplace - Prioritizing mental health and implementing strategies to reduce stress is essential for a safe and productive workplace. According to the World Health Organization, 83% of workers in the...

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Mental Health Parity Continues to Be a Top Enforcement Priority - The Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) recently released its annual enforcement report on the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act...

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Health Care Industry Trends to Watch in 2025 - Over the last few years, the health care industry has been navigating a volatile landscape shaped by changing market demands, labor shortages, inflation and supply chain...

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Tips for Preventing Common ACA Reporting Mistakes - Employers often find the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) reporting process to be complex and challenging to navigate. Even though the requirements have been in place for...

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The Power of Protein - Protein is having a moment, and it’s for good reason. While some focus on it for muscle-building, others view it from a weight-loss perspective. Regardless of personal goals, protein is a...

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The Connection Between Diet and Mental Health - Good nutrition is essential not only for physical health but also for mental well-being. The foods you eat profoundly influence your mood, cognitive function and ability...

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Cyberespionage Explained - Cyberespionage is a type of cyberattack that involves an unauthorized user (or multiple users) accessing a victim’s sensitive information in order to secure economic benefits, competitive...

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How Mentoring Others Keeps Everyone Safe - Have you ever worked with someone who inspired you? A hardworking person can have a powerful influence on their team, especially when they are working with someone who is new...

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Common Health Plan Compliance Mistakes to Avoid - Employers that sponsor group health plans are subject to many different compliance requirements under federal law. Keeping track of these various requirements can be...

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Employers Must File ACA Returns Electronically by March 31, 2025 - The Affordable Care Act (ACA) created reporting requirements under Internal Revenue Code (Code) Sections 6055 and 6056. Under these rules, certain...

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7 LIFESTYLE TIPS TO STAY HEALTHY DURING FLU SEASON - On average, 8% of the country’s population gets infected and develops influenza (flu) symptoms each year, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and...

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2025 Best Diet: The Mediterranean - For the eighth consecutive year, U.S. News & World Report named the Mediterranean diet the world’s best overall diet. This diet can help support brain function, promote heart...

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The Practice of Holding Space - “Holding space” has become a viral phrase lately, but it’s not a new concept. Holding space is about being present for someone in a way that allows them to feel seen, heard and valued....

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HHS Proposes Changes to HIPAA Security Rule to Strengthen Cybersecurity for Electronic PHI - On Dec. 27, 2024, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released a proposed rule that would modify the HIPAA...

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Emerging Wellness Trends in 2025 - The days of compartmentalizing physical, mental, financial and emotional well-being are over. In 2025, organizations are adopting a holistic approach that considers the entire employee....

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2025 OSHA Penalty Amounts - The Department of Labor (DOL) has released its 2025 inflation-adjusted civil monetary penalties that may be assessed on employers for violations of a wide range of federal laws, including the...

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OSHA Penalty Schedule - An employer receives a written citation when it violates OSHA standards or regulations. The citation will describe the particular nature of the violation and will include a reference to the...

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8 Tips for Modernizing Hiring in 2025 - As talent acquisition continues to evolve, staying ahead of the curve is crucial for organizations aiming to attract and retain top-tier talent. This past year was once again...

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GLP-1s and Biosimilars Reshape Prescription Drug Market - Inflation, additional treatment options approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and increased utilization of high-cost medications led to rising...

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Workplace Fatalities Down 3.7%, According to BLS - The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) recently released its 2023 national census of fatal occupational injuries. The census, which represents the most recent...

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Elopement Prevention and Response Strategies for Senior Living Facilities - Ensuring resident safety is a key priority for all senior living facilities. A critical area of concern is the risk of elopement-when a...

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