On March 29, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the sale of Narcan, a brand name for the drug naloxone and the standard treatment for opioid overdose, without a prescription. The best-known form of naloxone is Narcan nasal spray, which can rapidly reverse the effects of an opioid overdose caused by prescription medications (e.g., oxycodone), heroin and fentanyl.

The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation recently advanced a bill to increase pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) transparency and combat what some legislators called “deceptive practices.” The proposed bill received bipartisan support in the committee, with an 18-to-9 vote, and is supported by many health care and consumer organizations.

Because many summer and day camp tasks require employees like you to work outdoors, it’s important to be prepared for the risk of stings and bites from different pests.

One in 4 working adults will become disabled before reaching retirement age, according to data from the Social Security Administration (SSA). Unfortunately, many workers are unprepared to lose their income or unable to afford unexpected medical expenses.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported that vehicle manufacturer Ford is recalling nearly 1.3 million sedans for brake hose safety issues and over 220,000 pickup trucks because of faulty windshield wiper arms. Ford will contact the owners of the affected vehicles in the coming weeks and provide them with more information.

Criminals use tax scams to obtain employee and business information for financial gain. While the peak time for these scams is tax season, scammers can strike at any time. This article discusses common tax scams businesses face and how to avoid them.

On March 29, 2023, the U.S. Senate passed a resolution that would end the COVID-19 national emergency declaration that has been in place since 2020. The U.S. House of Representatives voted in February to terminate the order, and President Joe Biden has indicated that he will sign the bill despite strongly opposing it.

Spring officially begins in late March, and this can be a great time to create new healthy habits. With the extended daylight hours and warm weather, this season can make it easier to access fresh produce, outdoor exercise and sunlight. All of these elements of spring align with healthy practices, whereas in winter months, these resources are more difficult to access due to limited sunshine and warmth.

During its 2022-2023 term, the U.S. Supreme Court will hear and decide several cases that could have a significant influence on the workplace. Even though labor and employment laws and regulations change every year, the current Supreme Court term will likely have a greater impact on employers than previous terms.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that the consumer price index (CPI) rose 6% year over year in February, slightly down from 6.4 % in January. This is the eighth consecutive month the CPI has declined and marks the lowest reading since September 2021. As such, the CPI increase was in line with predictions as it’s slowly but steadily declining.

According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA), allergies are the nation’s sixth-leading cause of chronic illness. Seasonal allergies are an annual nuisance for many people and typically ramp up this time of year. It’s no surprise that as plants bloom and neighbors cut their grass more frequently, people living with allergies across the nation start sniffling and sneezing.

Health insurance provides coverage for the health care services you need, such as preventive care and annual checkups. Yet, your health insurance may have more to offer than you think. For example, many health insurance carriers provide benefits that incentivize healthy lifestyles.

On Friday, March 24, a powerful tornado killed 25 people, injured dozens and caused widespread property damage throughout the Mississippi Delta. The tornado continued to sweep northeast toward Alabama without weakening, and more storms moved eastward into Georgia.

U.S. commercial bank Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) collapsed on March 10, 2023, resulting in the second-largest bank failure in national history and the largest since the 2008 financial crisis. California banking regulators took control of SVB and appointed the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) as receiver.

A new report from The Workforce Institute at UKG revealed that managers impact employee mental health more than doctors and therapists. The study conducted for the report surveyed 3,400 people in 10 countries, including the United States, to explore mental health in and outside work.

Vehicle thefts nationwide surpassed 1 million last year. This was a 7% increase over 2021 numbers and the first time thefts reached that total since 2008, according to a new analysis from the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB).

A growing number of employers are currently experiencing a rise in catastrophic health claims, largely due to medical and pharmaceutical advances (e.g., specialty drugs and cell and gene therapies). In the past, employers have expanded cost-sharing methods to reign in rising health expenses, such as offering high deductible health plans, but today’s employers are hesitant to shift costs onto employees amid the tight labor market.

On Monday, March 13, 2023, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) issued a press release explaining that it has taken action to protect depositors of the former Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) of Santa Clara, California. This announcement comes after the California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation closed SVB on Friday, March 10, 2023.

Employee handbooks are important tools for establishing employee expectations, addressing workplace issues and defending against potential lawsuits. Failing to update employee handbooks regularly can make employers vulnerable to legal risks and liabilities, resulting in costly fines, penalties and attorneys’ fees. Employment laws are often complicated, and employers need to be aware of any new regulatory developments that may impact their organizations and workforce.

Medicare is health care coverage for those age 65 and older. It’s important to understand Medicare enrollment and coverage options to avoid penalties down the road. Whether you’re reaching the age of 65 or you’re older and switching from your workplace insurance to Medicare, it’s important to know how to navigate enrollment.