The Federal Trade Commission on April 23 approved a new rule that bans employers from requiring new employees to sign non-compete agreements. The rule will take effect in August 2024, after the commission voted 3-2 to approve it. Besides banning future non-compete agreements, the new rule also nullifies all existing non-competes and requires employers to…
As more and more people are returning to work in offices after working remotely for a few years since the COVID-19 pandemic arrived, bullying and other workplace misconduct is increasing, according to a new study. The study by Fama Technologies, a maker of applicant screening software, found increases in misconduct growing across industry sectors, putting…
The organization that helps set workers’ compensation rates in California will recommend that benchmark rates increase 0.9%, with effect from Sept. 1, 2024. While the recommendation is less than 1%, the Workers’ Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau noted that it was driven by increasing medical costs for injured workers and higher claims-adjusting costs for insurers. The…
When you look at the dental options for your employer-sponsored health plan, or if you’re just looking at the options available on the market, you may encounter the acronyms DMO and PPO (also known as a PDN), as well as indemnity plan, in the marketing literature. These terms describe types of dental insurance plans. To…
Many companies are leaving themselves exposed to lawsuits for errors and other issues that crop up in their work because they lack professional liability insurance. Traditionally it’s been architects, accountants and lawyers who would purchase this coverage, but with more work like coding, programing and other ventures spawned by technology, the need for this type…
The Biden administration has rolled back regulations that allow Americans to stay on short-term health insurance plans for up to three years while still satisfying the Affordable Care Act’s individual mandate. The new rules will limit these controversial plans to no more than four months and they require more disclosure on behalf of the insurers…
The average age of a construction worker is now in the 40s. Baby boomers — people born between 1946 and 1964 — represent 40% of the construction industry workforce, according to the Center for Construction Research and Training. The nature of construction work presents many hazards for workers, many of which may not appear until…
If you’ve noticed a lot of employees asking for time off for a “mental health day,” you aren’t alone. A recent study found that the number of mental health leave-of-absence requests has grown by a third since the COVID-19 pandemic. And, data from ComPsych, a provider of employee assistance programs (EAPs), shows that such leave…
The 2024 International Roadcheck — a high-visibility, high-volume inspection and enforcement effort conducted by the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance — is slated for May 14-16. During this annual three-day event, CVSA-certified inspectors fan out across the United States, Canada and Mexico to inspect commercial vehicles and drivers at weigh and inspection stations, as well as…
A recent study has found that employers who offer health insurance coverage to their staff had an average return on investment (ROI) of 47%, meaning that for every $1 an employer spends, it will receive $1.47 in benefits. The analysis by Avalare, a wellness plan provider, and commissioned by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, found…