When purchasing or renewing their commercial property insurance, it’s vital for businesses to ensure such coverage includes correct property valuations. Doing so can make all the difference in providing sufficient protection and preventing coinsurance penalties amid covered property losses. That’s where conducting accurate insurance-to-value (ITV) calculations comes into play. Generally speaking, ITV refers to an approximation of the full cost to replace or restore insured property.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics announced that the U.S. consumer price index (CPI) rose 8.5% year over year in July 2022, a slightly slower pace from last month’s record 9.1% reading. The latest CPI number indicates that inflation pressures are somewhat easing, but it remains near record-high levels since the early 1980s.

Fewer ransomware victims paid to retrieve access to their systems, and the median ransom payment dropped 51% in the second quarter of 2022, according to a recent report from Coveware. Though the median payment dropped to $36,360, the average ransom payment increased 8% to $228,125, boosted by a few outliers. However, the improvement in the median payment reflected threat actors’ shifts toward less risky, lower-profile targets, and the average remains below a fourth quarter 2021 high of over $300,000.

Social belonging is a fundamental human need—one that naturally extends to the workplace. According to the Center for Talent Innovation, when people feel like they belong at work, they are more productive, motivated and engaged, thus making them 3.5 times more likely to contribute to their fullest potential.

Not only is your physical health affected when you don’t get enough sleep, but it also takes a toll on your mental health. In fact, mental health and sleep are so closely related that a lack of sleep can often lead to issues such as anxiety or depression. Unfortunately, studies consistently show that Americans struggle to get a good night’s sleep.

On Aug. 11, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released new COVID-19 community guidance that ends or eases several key recommendations, including social distancing and quarantine. This change shows how much has changed since the pandemic began more than two years ago. The agency stated that nearly the entire U.S. population has some COVID-19 immunity through vaccination, previous infection or both.

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.

On July 26, the Biden administration launched Heat.gov—a new website through the National Integrated Heat Health Information System web portal—to provide the public and decision-makers with information to understand and reduce health risks related to extreme heat. This one-stop hub contains clear, timely and science-based data to “equip local officials and the public with robust and accessible information,” according to a White House press release.

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).

Around half of elderly Americans are unable to afford essential expenses, according to the University of Massachusetts-Boston’s Elder Index. It is estimated that 54% of single older women and 45% of single older men are classified as poor under federal poverty standards.

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 Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) recently scheduled this year’s Brake Safety Week for Aug. 21-27, 2022. This annual event emphasizes the importance of ensuring sufficient brake systems in commercial motor vehicles (CMVs). Specifically, the event highlights the role that brake maintenance and efficiency plays in reducing brake-related CMV accidents on the road.

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.

While physical exercise is known to be good for your body, it also can help your mind. Research continues to validate that exercise can improve mental health by reducing anxiety, depression and a negative mood. When you include exercise as part of your everyday routine, you’ll be reaping both physical and mental well-being benefits.

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.

Legislation surrounding the gig economy, single-payer health insurance and marijuana legalization all have the potential to impact the U.S. workers’ compensation system, according to a National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI) report. Digital platforms such as Uber ushered in a modern gig economy and renewed public discourse on worker classification.

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.

The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline (Lifeline) launched nationwide on July 16. Similar to dialing 911 for medical emergencies, people in emotional distress or suicidal crisis can call or text 988 and be connected immediately to trained counselors who will listen, provide support and connect people to resources if necessary.