Over the last decade, people analytics has gone from obscurity to being at the center of HR. HR used to rely on limited information and gut feelings to make decisions, but, as organizations integrate people analytics, that’s all changing. Organizations are now using data and analytics to manage employees and make decisions.

President Joe Biden recently signed an executive order to protect individuals’ ability to access out-of-state abortions. This is Biden’s second executive order in response to the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, removing the constitutional right to abortion.

The U.S. Senate recently passed the Inflation Reduction Act, which includes provisions aimed at addressing climate change, reducing the high costs of prescription drugs and lowering the deficit by approximately $300 billion. The $750 billion spending bill passed through the budget reconciliation process, meaning all 50 Democrats and one tie-breaker vote from Vice President Kamala Harris were all that was needed.

On July 28, 2022, the Departments of Labor (DOL), Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Treasury (Departments) jointly issued a new set of frequently asked questions (FAQs) regarding the contraceptive coverage mandate under the Affordable Care Act (ACA).

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recently announced a proposed rule that would revise the implementing regulation for Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), strengthening and restoring civil rights protections for patients and consumers in certain federally funded and HHS programs. The 2020 version of the rule limited Section 1557’s scope and power to cover fewer programs and services.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) recently released its June Job Openings and Labor Turnover Summary. This month’s reported number of job openings fell from 11.3 million in May to 10.7 million in June. Job opening numbers have fallen for three consecutive months. June’s decline of over 600,000 job openings is the biggest in over a year and represents a nine-month low.

The U.S. inflation rate has increased by 9.1% year over year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The BLS also reported that this is the highest the inflation rate has been since 1981. This has led to significant price increases across many consumer goods, and employers are responding in various ways.

The Biden administration warned U.S. businesses and health insurance providers that limiting coverage of contraceptives after a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that overturned the constitutional right to abortion would violate federal law. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Departments of Labor and Treasury issued guidance clarifying that the Affordable Care Act (ACA) requires most private insurance plans to provide birth control and family-planning counseling to insured individuals and their dependents at no additional cost.

Many people only think about going to the doctor’s office when they get sick or injured. However, even the healthiest adults need routine health care. A primary care provider is your main resource for routine health care services throughout your lifetime.

Employers plan to raise salaries 4.1% in 2023, according to Willis Towers Watson’s (WTW) Salary Budget Planning Report. WTW reported that these budgeted increases will be the largest since 2008 and that nearly 2 in 3 (64%) U.S. employers have budgeted for higher employee pay raises than last year.

UnitedHealthcare recently announced it will eliminate out-of-pocket health care costs for insulin and other emergency use drugs for fully insured group health plan members. Pending regulatory approval, members could access certain prescription drugs for free as early as Jan. 1, 2023.

Changing health plans is a major decision for any employer, regardless of size. Not only is health insurance a costly commitment, it also impacts recruitment capabilities, retention levels and overall employee satisfaction. The right plan can improve employee health, boost morale and increase attraction and retention rates without unduly straining an organization’s budget.

The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled in Ziccarelli v. Dart that an employer can violate the federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) by discouraging an employee from exercising FMLA rights without denying an FMLA leave request. The 7th Circuit’s jurisdiction covers Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin.

On Thursday, July 21, Amazon reached a deal to acquire One Medical, a network of boutique primary care clinics, for $3.9 billion. This is another substantial step in the e-commerce giant’s plans to become a player in the health care industry. Through this deal, Amazon hopes to improve how people book appointments and enhance the experience of being seen by a physician.

Having outstanding benefits options is critical for attracting and retaining employees. But in order to capitalize on those options, employers need to effectively market their offerings to employees and candidates. If employees and candidates aren’t aware of or do not understand the benefits available to them, they do the employer little good.

Following the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, a number of employers announced that they would reimburse travel expenses for employees who must go out of state to obtain a legal abortion. There are a number of different options for employers to consider when structuring a travel benefit, with each option having its own compliance challenges.

On July 12, 2022, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) issued updated guidance on whether and when employers may test their employees for COVID-19. While the previous guidance generally allowed employers to require testing for all employees entering a workplace, the new guidance requires an individualized assessment of current circumstances.

On June 27, 2022, the Departments of Labor (DOL), Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Treasury (Departments) issued a letter directing group health plan sponsors and issuers to ensure their plans comply with the contraceptive mandate under the Affordable Care Act (ACA).

In an update to its technical assistance manual, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) recently announced that employers must now justify mandatory COVID-19 testing for their workers. Going forward, employers must “assess whether current pandemic circumstances and individual workplace circumstances justify viral testing of employees to prevent workplace transmission of COVID-19.”

The job market is still dealing with the aftereffects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Workers are taking stock of their circumstances and considering which employment perks matter the most. Specifically, employees are increasingly more concerned about their physical and mental health, financial security and work-life balance than before the pandemic. Many employers have responded by enhancing benefits offerings to support employees.