Every year, OSHA publishes a list of the most frequently cited safety standards. It gives us a clear look at where employers are falling short and where workers are getting hurt. According to the latest data released by Safety and Health Magazine, Fall Protection, General Requirements, is once again the most cited standard for 2025 with 5,914 violations.
(Source: Safety and Health Magazine)
The recent federal government shutdown, the longest in U.S. history, put millions of Americans under financial strain and uncertainty. For small businesses especially those tied to federal contracts or funding the impact was significant.
Many business owners found themselves asking:
“Does my insurance cover losses from a government shutdown?”
The short answer is usually not, but the details matter.
As construction projects grow more complex and owners demand longer warranty coverage, maintenance bonds are playing an increasingly important role in contract negotiations. Contractors who understand how these bonds work and how to manage their impact on surety capacity and cost are better positioned to protect their business and maintain strong relationships with both owners and sureties.
The IRS has announced new inflation-adjusted limits for flexible spending accounts (FSAs) beginning in 2026, giving employees more room to set aside pre-tax dollars for medical and dependent care expenses. These updates, along with a major legislative change from the One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB) Act, make 2026 an important year for benefit planning. For employees, these changes translate to greater flexibility and potential tax savings. For employers, they mean updated plan limits, new communication needs, and an opportunity to highlight valuable benefits.
When temperatures drop, there’s nothing like the comfort of a warm fire, whether it’s in your living room or out in the backyard. Fireplaces, wood stoves, and fire pits can create cozy moments and great memories, but they also come with responsibilities. A few simple precautions can help prevent accidents and keep your home, family, and guests safe.
Running a school is hard work. Every dollar matters. Every staff member matters even more.
In early childhood education, whether practiced like Montessori, Waldorf or others, benefits are not just a nice-to-have. They are the difference between keeping great teachers and losing them to other jobs. The right benefits strategy helps you manage costs, keep your people, and give families the consistency they expect.
Carbon monoxide (CO) is a silent, odorless, and colorless gas that can be deadly if not detected early. Often called the "invisible killer," it’s produced by burning fuels like gas, wood, charcoal, or oil in devices such as heaters, stoves, or vehicles. Understanding CO risks and taking preventive measures can save lives. Here’s what you need to know to stay safe.
In the construction industry, accurate financial reporting is more than a compliance requirement, it is the foundation of trust with surety partners. Among the most critical components of contractor financials are the Work in Process (WIP) schedule and the Completed Contracts (CC) schedule. These schedules do more than just list projects; they provide visibility into the accuracy of job costing, estimating practices, and overall financial health of the business.
Insurance fraud isn’t just an industry problem, it’s a business problem. Fraud costs the U.S. an estimated $308 billion every year, with property and casualty fraud making up nearly $90 billion of that total. Those losses trickle down in the form of higher premiums, stricter terms, and challenges when it comes to securing coverage.
What Is Individual Disability Insurance?
Disability insurance pays a portion of your income if you cannot work due to an illness or injury. Employer-sponsored plans often have limits on benefits and an “Individual Disability Insurance” (IDI) policy can provide a more comprehensive level of income protection on their own or layered with an employer policy. IDI policies are:
-
Owned by you and stay with you no matter where you work.
-
Fills in the benefit gap an employer plan may have.
-
Typically provides additional benefit enhancements for catastrophic illness/injury.