News

Using preliminary data, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recently revealed its top 10 most frequently cited standards in the 2020 fiscal year. This information is valuable for businesses of all kinds, as it helps them identify common exposures that affect their workforce and gives them the information they need to plan their compliance…

While workers’ compensation requirements can differ between states, many policies include a routine premium audit process. Different from most other lines of commercial insurance (e.g., property coverage)—in which potential exposures can be identified upfront and premium expenses are final—workers’ compensation premiums paid at the beginning of policy periods are provisional amounts. In other words, these…

OSHA must adjust its civil penalty amounts for inflation each year. As such, the Department of Labor recently released its 2021 inflation-adjusted civil monetary penalties that may be assessed on employers for violations of a wide range of federal laws, including the Occupational Safety and Health Act. OSHA’s increased amounts apply to any civil monetary…

Ergonomic and safety precautions for mobile workers The use of laptops simplifies accessing work remotely—improving our mobility at work and our productivity while on the road. With these benefits come inconveniences, however. According to Cornell University, the fixed design of laptops poses ergonomic dangers to users. If the keyboard is in the optimal position for…

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recently issued new guidance on mitigating and preventing the spread of COVID-19 in the workplace. This guidance—which pertains to organizations outside of the health care sector—is intended to inform both employees and employers of the risks of occupational COVID-19 exposure, as well as outline top COVID-19 control measures…

On Feb. 18, 2021, the IRS released Notice 2021-15 to clarify special rules for Section 125 plans, health flexible spending arrangements (FSAs) and dependent care assistance programs (DCAPs). Special Rules for Health FSAs and DCAPs The Notice is intended to clarify the application of special rules for health FSAs and DCAPs under the Consolidated Appropriations…

The $1.9 trillion relief bill, known as the American Rescue Plan, has been signed into law by President Joe Biden. Highlights of the bill include extended unemployment benefits, direct checks to individuals and more. While some of the bill was changed during its time with Congress, it’s largely similar to the initial version passed by…

After you’ve received your COVID-19 vaccination, it’s normal to wonder what’s next. Many questions exist, such as whether you can contract COVID-19 again, what safety precautions you should continue and when life might go back to normal. While a COVID-19 vaccination is a critical step toward returning to a sense of normalcy, it’s important to…

Attracting and retaining talent is often a top priority for HR departments. Given the effect the COVID-19 pandemic has had on the job market, one might imagine this task is easier than ever. Unfortunately, that’s far from the truth. While there may be more candidates than usual, attracting quality talent and retaining top performers still…

In a newsletter update, TheKnowBe4 Security Team shared an example of a recent COVID-19 vaccine related phishing attack and some tips on spotting these scams: Access to the COVID-19 vaccine is limited, which leaves many people anxiously waiting for a way to further protect themselves from the virus. Cybercriminals are taking advantage of this anxiety…