News

Many employees continue to feel financially strained because of inflation. With open enrollment fast approaching, inflation could impact the choices employees make when it comes to their benefits. Specifically, employees are likely to consider which benefits matter the most and how to optimize the money they spend on those offerings. As a result, this year’s…

The popularity of weight loss drugs has reached a fever pitch in the United States. This trend has made its way into the workplace, with employees increasingly asking their employers about coverage for popular drugs used for weight loss, such as Wegovy. Other drugs intended to treat Type 2 diabetes, such as Ozempic or Mounjaro,…

Increasing threat vectors and growing attacker sophistication have consistently driven up cyber incidents in recent years, causing a rise in cyber insurance claims and related losses. Alongside unprecedented segment growth, such challenging market conditions led to most insureds experiencing steep rate hikes, additional underwriting scrutiny and various policy restrictions— particularly pertaining to coverage for ransomware,…

1. How do you think being part of an ESOP can affect work culture? I feel the ESOP provides a positive impact on work culture because each one of us have a stake in the overall performance of the organization. We are not simply working for “the man,” we are working for one another, regardless…

How does being in an ESOP impact your day-to-day perspective / tasks? This is truly a team effort perspective. My efforts & abilities affect all other ESOP participants, so I have to put forth my best collaborative effort every day in order to achieve the best possible outcome for all. How do you think being…

On June 1, 2023, the U.S. Senate passed the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023 to raise the debt ceiling by a bipartisan vote of 63-36 only three days before the United States risked defaulting on its debt for the first time. The U.S. House of Representatives approved the bill on May 31, 2023, by an…

1. Had you heard of an ESOP before joining OAA? If so, what was your impression of it and how has OAA’s ESOP changed your perspective on it? If you had never heard of an ESOP before, what is your impression of it now? I don’t believe I had ever heard of the term ESOP,…

What does being vested in the ESOP mean to you? (Are you fully vested?) When I became fully vested it was an exciting time to see my statement and realize that the bottom-line balance was all going towards my retirement! Now my statement balance really grows exponentially. How does being in an ESOP affect your…

On May 18, 2023, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) issued new guidance aimed at helping employers that use automated systems, including those with artificial intelligence (AI), comply with federal fair employment laws.  The new guidance focuses on preventing discrimination under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act (Title VII), which applies to employers with…

1. What is something you appreciate about the ESOP that you weren’t aware of when first joining (such as a perk, a perspective, etc.)?    Frankly, I was very unfamiliar with what the ESOP was or how it worked.  I also did not realize what a unique opportunity it is to be part of an…