Federal agencies have issued new guidance that directly affects how employers manage virtual care networks and mental health parity compliance heading into 2027. The Departments of Labor, Treasury, and HHS are sharpening their focus on whether plans provide meaningful access to mental health services — and virtual care is now a central part of that evaluation.
Financial stress has become one of the biggest drivers of employee burnout, absenteeism, and mental health claims. Inflation may have slowed, but prices remain high, and many employees are carrying record levels of credit card debt, medical debt, and student loans. For employers, financial wellness is no longer a “nice extra” — it’s a core benefit that supports productivity, retention, and overall wellbeing.
As 2026 draws to a close, several upcoming changes to federal employee benefits requirements are worth highlighting. Updated Affordable Care Act (ACA) provisions, increased health plan limits and new price-transparency rules will affect plan design, employee contributions and administrative responsibilities in 2027.
Snow, ice, freezing temperatures and reduced visibility create serious challenges for tractor-trailer drivers. Large trucks require extra stopping distance and maneuvering room, and slippery roads increase the risk of skids and jackknifes. Preparing equipment and adjusting driving practices can help fleets reduce winter crash risks.
Dropped tools, materials and other objects can cause serious struck-by injuries when they fall from elevated work areas. Workers can be exposed to these hazards when working on scaffolds, ladders, roofs, platforms and other elevated surfaces. Taking a few simple precautions can help prevent objects from falling and protect individuals below. Follow these tips to keep tools and materials secure and reduce the risk of struck-by incidents.
As organizations adopt new technologies and modernize operations, cybersecurity safeguards can fall behind. Unpatched software, outdated systems, excessive user privileges, inadequate training and unauthorized tools can create unresolved weaknesses collectively known as security debt. Security debt extends beyond technical vulnerabilities. It includes gaps across people, processes and technology, such as weak governance, unsupported systems, forgotten cloud resources and poor access controls.
As schools prepare for colder weather, heating systems and indoor air quality deserve special attention. When equipment, ventilation, or maintenance needs are overlooked, schools may face uncomfortable learning environments, equipment failures, water damage, or disruptions to normal operations.
In late November 2025, a raccoon entered a closed liquor store through the ceiling in Ashland, Virginia, knocked bottles from the shelves and was later found passed out in the bathroom after apparently sam-pling the inventory. Animal control secured the raccoon and released it unharmed. Weeks later, in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, a raccoon fell through a ceiling into a resort restaurant during dinner service. A patron who tried to catch the animal was bitten, and the raccoon was later euthanized and tested for rabies. The test came back negative, but the guest had to be evaluated for possible rabies exposure before that result.
Artificial intelligence tools are quickly becoming part of the education landscape. From lesson planning and tutoring support to communication, accessibility, and administrative tasks, AI may offer valuable opportunities for schools. However, before approving a new tool, school leaders should understand how it collects, uses, stores, and protects information. An AI tool can create privacy, [...]
For many employers, open enrollment is focused on benefit changes, employee elections, and preparing for the upcoming plan year. It is also an important time to review the notices and disclosures that must be provided to employees and other eligible individuals.
