An allegedly Chinese state-sponsored hacker campaign dubbed “Salt Typhoon” has infiltrated major cell phone providers, including AT&T and Verizon, potentially exposing your company’s communications to threat actors. The attack has been described as the most significant telecommunications hack in U.S. history. While the breach is alarming for individuals, the implications for businesses are profound and…
Two new laws which took effect Jan. 1, 2025 will ease the Affordable Care Act annual tax reporting burden on health plan sponsors. In a bipartisan effort, Congress recently passed the Employer Reporting Improvement Act and the Paperwork Burden Reduction Act, both of which outgoing President Biden signed into law. The laws are aimed at…
A temporary exemption that construction trucking providers had enjoyed from the controversial AB 5 law, sunsetted on Dec. 31. AB 5, which took effect in 2021, created a higher standard for determining who is a worker or a contractor in California. This expiration will require employers who had benefited from the exemption for such service…
The percentage of employers who are covering new and trendy weight-loss drugs has risen in 2024, continuing a trend of increasing coverage despite the costs, according to a new survey. The study, by Mercer, also found that employers are increasingly offering to cover in vitro fertilization for employees who may be having trouble getting…
6. PAGA reform In July 2024, Gov. Newsom signed into law two measures aimed at curbing rampant abuse of the Private Attorney General Act, which has become a costly thorn in the side of businesses in California. PAGA allows workers who allege they have suffered labor violations, like unpaid overtime or being denied mandatory meal…
With 2025 now upon us, so is a slew of new laws and regulations that will affect California businesses. Every year, laws passed by the state Legislature and signed into law by the governor take effect, and 2024 was a busy legislative session in Sacramento. The end result is another round of new legislation that…
Linda is a junior partner in a law firm and drives a car that the firm owns and insures. The firm’s auto insurance covers her as a partner and she doesn’t own another car, so she sees no need to have her own policy. Most of the time, this is not a problem. However, spring…
Recruiting new talent has always been difficult for the insurance industry, and that includes independent agencies and brokerages. And thanks to the continuing tight job market, it’s harder than ever. As more insurance executives and producers start entering retirement, there’s an urgent need to recruit and groom the next generation of insurance professionals. But…
The percentage of employers who are covering new and trendy weight-loss drugs has risen in 2024, continuing a trend of increasing coverage despite the costs, according to a new survey. The study, by Mercer, also found that employers are increasingly offering to cover in vitro fertilization for employees who may be having trouble getting pregnant.…
Since the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act took effect in June 2023, there’s been a huge spike in lawsuits against employers alleging failure to reasonably accommodate workers covered by the landmark legislation. In the first 11 months following enactment of the law, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission received 1,869 complaints from workers who allege their employer…