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Introduction to OSHA Form 300A The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires employers to maintain records of work-related injuries and illnesses, one of which is the OSHA [...]
In a significant move towards wage equity and transparency, Massachusetts has passed the Frances Perkins Workplace Equity Act, commonly referred to as the Massachusetts Pay Transparency Law. This [...]
When workplace injuries occur, understanding temporary disability benefits becomes crucial for both employers and employees. For companies in the automotive, roads, fuel, transportation, fleet and industrial sectors, managing [...]
The transition period after holiday breaks represents a critical safety window across industrial sectors. The Bureau of Labor Statistics' most recent data reveals sobering statistics about workplace injuries [...]
Effective January 1, a new law in New Hampshire requires most employers to allow employees to keep loaded firearms in their vehicles while parked at work. Signed by [...]
Understanding the Evolution of Benefits Management in Today's Business Landscape In today's business environment, benefits administration has evolved far beyond the traditional annual enrollment period. As businesses face [...]
The Evolution of Benefits Administration: A Game-Changing Solution In today's complex business environment, managing employee benefits can consume up to 30% of HR professionals' time. The NARFA [...]
The Hidden Cost of Flu Season to Your Business Every year, flu season takes a significant toll on workplace productivity. According to the CDC, U.S. employees miss approximately [...]
Redefining Workers' Compensation Success When a workplace accident occurs, the true test of a workers' compensation program lies in its ability to coordinate multiple specialties while maintaining focus [...]
In the world of workers' compensation, timing and coordination are everything. A recent case managed by the Automotive Industries Compensation Corporation (AICC) demonstrates how early intervention and integrated [...]
Key TakeawaysNew age-based catch-up contribution limits for workers 60-63Updated thresholds for retirement accounts and HSAsInflation-adjusted welfare and retirement benefit limitsChanges implemented under SECURE 2.0 ActUnderstanding the 2025 IRS [...]
The Rising Tide of Healthcare Costs In recent years, employees across various industries have experienced a significant uptick in their out-of-pocket costs for health coverage. This trend [...]
Beginning January 1, 2025, Connecticut’s paid sick leave law—which currently covers employers with 50 or more employees in the state and only applies to service workers—will be significantly [...]
The American workforce is aging rapidly, particularly in industries with physical demands. This demographic shift presents unique challenges and opportunities for businesses in the automotive, roads, fuel, fleet, [...]
In recent years, a new class of drugs has gained significant attention in the medical world, promising substantial weight loss and potential changes in healthcare costs. These medications, [...]
In an era where student debt is skyrocketing and job markets are increasingly volatile, one career path stands out for its stability, earning potential, and accessibility: skilled trades. [...]
Are rising health insurance costs eating into your small business's budget? Are your employees struggling to afford quality healthcare? Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangements (ICHRAs) might be [...]
In workers' compensation, particularly for industries served by the National Automotive Roads Fuel Association (NARFA) and the Automotive Industries Compensation Corporation (AICC), physical therapy is key to employee [...]
As we approach 2025, businesses in the automotive, roads, fuel, fleet, and related industries face an increasingly complex healthcare landscape. With health insurance costs continuing to rise, [...]
In today's challenging economic climate, employers are constantly seeking innovative solutions to manage rising healthcare costs. NARFA (National Automotive Roads Fuel Association) offers a comprehensive range of [...]
In today's fast-paced world of automotive, roads, fuel, and fleet management, safety is critical. As technology evolves and new challenges emerge, our approach to safety training must keep [...]
For many employers, healthcare costs are a high-wire act. You want to offer competitive benefits packages to attract and retain top talent, but rising costs threaten to throw [...]
The U.S. Department of Labor has proposed a new rule aimed at protecting workers from extreme heat hazards. This initiative seeks to safeguard approximately 36 million indoor and [...]
The landscape of federal regulation is set for a seismic shift following a recent Supreme Court decision. On June 28, in Loper Bright Enterprises, et al, v. Raimondo, [...]
In today's complex regulatory environment, businesses in the automotive, roads, fuel, and related industries face unprecedented challenges in managing employee benefits. Recent studies show that compliance issues are [...]
As summer temperatures begin to soar, it's crucial to be aware of the dangers posed by extreme heat. Recent heat waves to become more frequent, intense, and longer-lasting, [...]
The following changes to Colorado employment law apply to employers of all sizes. APPLICANT AGE-RELATED INQUIRIES PROHIBITED Beginning July 1, 2024, employers will be prohibited from asking for [...]
In the automotive, roads, fuel, fleet, and related industries, indoor air quality (IAQ) is a critical factor that significantly impacts the health, safety, and productivity of employees. As [...]
If your business offers health insurance benefits to employees, you've likely heard of alternative funding models like self-funding or level-funding. But what exactly do these alternative approaches entail, [...]
For decades, the narrative has been that after high school, you go to a four-year university and earn a bachelor's degree. While college is certainly the right path [...]
The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) recently announced the finalization of its overtime rule, significantly impacting how employers classify employees as exempt from overtime pay requirements under the [...]
They say an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, and that certainly applies to your health. In today's busy world, it's easy to let routine [...]
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has recently highlighted that costs associated with nutrition, wellness, and general health do not typically qualify as reimbursable medical expenses under Section 213 [...]
The healthcare landscape is constantly evolving, and in 2024, rising costs remain a top concern for both employers and employees. Fortunately, Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) offer a unique [...]
Spring is here, and with it comes April's designation as Distracted Driving Awareness Month. While the changing seasons and blooming flowers might tempt you to take your eyes [...]
The annual open enrollment scramble is a familiar scene for many HR professionals. But what if there was a better way? Recent trends point toward a shift [...]
In the fast-paced world of automotive repair, car dealerships, and businesses in the roads, fuel, fleet, and related industries, keeping your team safe and your business running smoothly [...]
As a business owner, you're navigating an increasingly complex landscape. Rising costs across the board, from operational expenses to employee benefits, can squeeze your bottom line and leave [...]
A startling 45% of retirement plan sponsors are unaware of their fiduciary responsibilities within their organization’s retirement scheme. As fiduciaries, it's imperative to adhere to the established best [...]
In a fast-paced work environment across various industries, ensuring the safety of employees and customers against slips, trips, and falls (STF) is crucial. These incidents, ranging from minor [...]
Washing your hands regularly isn't just good manners, it's a powerful shield against illness and lost productivity. Let's dive into some eye-opening facts: Illnesses and the Dirty Truth: [...]
Remember struggling for appointments, battling traffic, and waiting in stuffy exam rooms? Telehealth, the magic of healthcare delivered virtually, is changing the game! What is Telehealth? Imagine connecting [...]
The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has recently issued final guidance on differentiating between employees and independent contractors under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). The DOL Independent [...]
Operating a carwash, whether automatic or manual, demands stringent health and safety measures. In this industry, risks range from chemical exposure to physical hazards, affecting both employees and [...]
As 2024 unfolds, Congress faces a narrowing timeframe to enact significant health initiatives. The fiscal year's spending bills offer a crucial opportunity for legislation. The process faces two [...]
With the Inflation Reduction Act's passage, an unprecedented path unfolds for organizations to embrace clean energy advancements while potentially easing tax implications. This landmark legislation earmarks $369 billion [...]
The emergency room is absolutely where you should go for life-threatening illnesses or injuries, such as chest pain, head trauma, and other serious conditions. However, ERs see far too [...]
In the Northeast, winters are predominantly cold, so we want to highlight various winter hazards and provide guidance on measures to stay safe during this season. Here are [...]
The year 2024 has just begun, but things continue to rapidly change in the employee benefits landscape. Rising healthcare costs, shifting workforce priorities, and a complex regulatory environment [...]
In the U.S., December 2022 through January 2023 saw an increase in every type of winter claim. Driven by Winter Storm Elliot, freeze claims jumped 428%, followed by [...]
As we head into 2024, the conversation around healthcare continues to evolve, and Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) are emerging as a powerful tool for both employers and [...]
Employers understand the importance of workers' compensation insurance as a fundamental requirement for any organization. It not only provides essential medical benefits and wage replacement to injured workers [...]
The IRS has released its annual guidance on inflation adjustments for retirement provisions in 2024. The key updates include: For 401(k) and similar defined contribution plans, the contribution [...]
In the dynamic world of the automotive, roads, and fuel sectors, trade associations play a critical role in supporting businesses to navigate the complexities of the industry. NARFA [...]
What is pre-diabetes? Pre-diabetes means your blood sugar level is higher than normal, but not yet high enough to be classified as type 2 diabetes. However, without intervention, [...]
Imagine you’ve developed a series of company safety policies and programs, but as a small business owner, you aren’t certain how to communicate them to your employees. This [...]
On August 30, the White House proposed a rule through the Department of Labor to extend overtime pay eligibility to an additional 3 million workers. This move echoes [...]
The automotive industry encompasses a diverse workforce that requires a specialized approach to employee benefits. NARFA, with its longstanding history and expertise, stands as an invaluable ally for [...]
Many people overlook mental illness and substance abuse and their costs to American businesses and families. Millions of dollars are lost due to absenteeism, reduced and impaired productivity, [...]
Knowing where to go if you get sick or hurt can save you lots of time and money, and help you get the best medical care. How do [...]
Helpful Tips to Prevent Wintertime Slips, Trips, Falls: Adequately plow all lots throughout the snowstorm and ensure the lots are clear. Salting / sanding of the lots should [...]
When a fire ripped through an Alabama dealership's service department in 2017, killing three shop employees and injuring two others, the accident was a grim reminder that auto [...]
The automotive industry is about more than just vehicles. It's a complex ecosystem that includes road infrastructure and fuel innovation, which are critical components driving the sector forward. [...]
The IRS has announced a two-year delay of the SECURE 2.0 Act's Roth catch-up requirement, which was set to take effect on January 1, 2024. This means that [...]
Connecticut has made significant changes to its pass-through entity tax (PET) in recent years. The most recent changes took effect in 2022. The original PET was enacted in [...]
Workplace Injury Costs When workplace injuries occur, it’s easy to see the immediate and direct costs, but there are a multitude of ongoing and indirect costs that should [...]
The Workers’ Compensation market could currently best be characterized as stable, but changes in the nation’s workforce—coupled with rapid-fire technological advancements—threaten to upset the balance of the industry. [...]
The summer of 2023 has been a warm one in the United States. The heat can have a significant impact on workers, both indoor and outdoor. Heat illness [...]
Fleet trade associations, such as the National Automotive, Roads, Fuel Association (NARFA) are organizations that represent the interests of fleet owners and operators. They provide a variety of [...]
Trade associations play a pivotal role in strengthening industry sectors by uniting companies around common goals and interests. For businesses in the automotive, roads, and fuel sectors, NARFA [...]
The following changes to Colorado employment law apply to employers of all sizes. While our math indicates that these laws take effect August 8, the state legislature’s website [...]
UPDATED FORM I-9 A new Form I-9 (Rev. 08/01/23) will be available for employers to use on or after August 1, 2023, and once released can be found [...]
The following piece is based on the experiences of one of the NARFA Loss Control Specialists. The Automotive Industries Compensation Corporation (AICC) in Massachusetts provides members with one [...]
Creating a culture of safety within a workplace begins and ends with the implementation of a quality company safety committee. Businesses both large and small utilize these committees [...]
COBRA is short for the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985. It’s a federal law that allows certain employees and covered dependents to elect to continue their [...]
In the ever-evolving landscape of the automotive, roads, and fuel sectors, fleet trade associations have become more crucial than ever. Amidst economic fluctuations and regulatory changes, NARFA stands [...]
Employees will be able to save more money in their health savings accounts (HSAs) in 2024, thanks to inflation-driven increases in contribution limits. The IRS announced on May [...]
Workplace injuries are a major problem, costing businesses billions of dollars each year in lost productivity, medical expenses, and workers' compensation claims. Fortunately, there are a number of [...]
The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA) is a federal law that prohibits employment discrimination on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions. The PWFA was signed [...]
A new right to repair law in Massachusetts recently got the go-ahead from a federal judge for enforcement. The law went into effect on Thursday, June 1st amid efforts [...]
The trucking industry faces unique challenges when it comes to health insurance. With a highly mobile workforce operating in an environment of rising healthcare costs, traditional insurance models [...]
Mental health is just as important as physical health, and it's important to seek help if you're struggling. But mental health care can be expensive, which is why [...]
As we let you know last October, the end date for the COVID-related I-9 verification flexibility was (and still is) scheduled for July 31, 2023. Given the number [...]
Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) are confidential, short-term counseling and referral services offered by employers to their employees and their families. EAPs can provide assistance with a variety of [...]
The automotive industry is a vital component of the American economy, and ensuring that the workforce is healthy and supported is essential for its continued success. NARFA, with [...]
The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) Office of Foreign Labor Certification (OFLC) recently held webinars to guide users on upcoming changes to the Form ETA 9089. The objective [...]
An effective safety culture is widely accepted as an essential component in the development and implementation of any program supporting safety in the workplace. The safety culture reflects [...]
Employee assistance programs, or EAPs, provide a win-win solution for both employees and organizations. By offering access to mental health assistance programs such as therapy services, and short-term [...]
Brief: President Joe Biden’s proposed fiscal year 2024 budget would increase funding for OSHA by $106.4 million, or 17%, to $738.7 million. As part of the increase, the agency seeks [...]
March is National Ladder Safety Month, let’s look at ladder selection. Before you get started on your next project, you have to choose a ladder, but how do [...]
Editors Note: Each anecdote has been taken from the archives of NARFA’s Automotive Industries Compensation Corporation (AICC) program and is designed to help inform, prepare, and protect [...]
Do you need an annual checkup? From blood work to a complete physical exam, many patients want the works. But, what’s really necessary each year? A group of [...]
Employers that had 11 or more employees at any point in 2022 are required to post Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Form 300A from February 1 through [...]
Information as of January 10, 2023 As sales of electric vehicles continue to surge, many new and prospective customers have questions about qualifying for federal tax credit on [...]
On December 23, 2022, the House passed a 4,155-page funding bill, the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023 (“CAA-23”), that includes a two year extension on telehealth relief for [...]
The following changes to Colorado employment law apply as of January 1, 2023. MINIMUM WAGE Statewide Colorado’s minimum wage will increase to $13.65 per hour. The minimum base [...]
Ohio’s minimum wage is scheduled to increase on Jan. 1, 2023, to $10.10 per hour for non-tipped employees and $5.05 per hour for tipped employees. The minimum wage [...]
The CARES Act and subsequent COVID-19 legislation created and enhanced the Employee Retention Credit (ERC) as a means of incentivizing employers to keep employees on payroll despite operational [...]
Beginning on January 1, 2023, employers of all sizes will be prohibited from discriminating against applicants and employees on the basis of their erased criminal history records. This [...]
Learn more about Massachusetts' minimum wage increase and hour changes will take effect on January 1, 2023. Minimum Wage Massachusetts’ minimum wage will increase to $15 per hour. [...]
In this article, you will learn more about Maine employment law changes requiring employers to pay out unused vacation payout and a minimum wage increase beginning January 1, [...]
Why should employers care about their experience modification (e-mod) factor? Without knowing it, some employers are being overcharged for workers’ compensation premium year after year. They have the [...]
Winter 2022-2023 is predicted to be a cold one for the U.S. According to the Farmers’ Almanac, much of the country will experience weather ranging from chilly to “hibernation [...]
A nutritious eating plan, weight and stress management, exercise, and smoking cessation can reduce your risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Studies have shown that making lifestyle changes [...]
Keeping an eye out for hazards that could lead to a blow to the head – and safeguarding against them – is vital in the workplace. It’s also [...]
Plan sponsors of group health plans must submit information annually about prescription drugs and healthcare spending to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (“CMS”). The first deadline [...]
Federal programs like the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) mandated periods of paid leave—short and long—for qualifying employees and offset the expense on businesses with a payroll [...]
Colorado’s paid Family and Medical Leave Insurance Program (FAMLI) will launch next year. FAMLI benefits include partial wage replacement, job protection, and continuation of group health care coverage. [...]
Every year, nearly five million workers experience an occupational injury or illness on the job, and it is an employer’s responsibility in these cases to meet OSHA requirements. [...]
Although the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (CAA) was passed nearly two years ago, several requirements that impact health and welfare plans have largely gone unnoticed by many brokers [...]
Mental health challenges have tested many workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. And as the pandemic reaches the two-and-a-half-year mark, experts say employers need to make employees’ mental health [...]
Applicable large employers must adhere to many Affordable Care Act (ACA) rules to maintain compliance regarding group health plan offerings. We offer the following checklist of the five [...]
Connecticut has amended its human rights law to broaden coverage to all employers—regardless of their employee count—and to add domestic violence protections. The changes take effect on October [...]
A hiring manager, eager to fill an exciting new role in the company, reacquaints himself with a candidate’s resume as that candidate takes a seat across from him. [...]
Connecticut has adopted new family and medical leave (CT FMLA) regulations. While the updated regulations primarily incorporate the changes to the law that took effect on January 1, [...]
You'll be glad you took the tax breaks. Outside of housing and maybe transportation costs, healthcare will likely be your largest retirement expense. It's unfortunate, but doctor visits become more [...]
The DOL, HHS, and IRS issued a report to Congress on the failure by group health plans to comply with the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA). The [...]
At the end of last year, the IRS raised the fee that insurers or sponsors of self-insured health plans pay annually to fund the federal Patient-Centered Outcomes Research [...]
Seventy-seven percent of employees who ranked their benefits education experience as “fair or poor” also rated their employer as “fair or poor,” according to a survey by the [...]
When it comes to promoting worker safety, employers have a vested interest. U.S. employers spend more than $1 billion a week on workers’ compensation costs for non-fatal injuries. In an [...]
The following laws take effect in Connecticut on July 1, 2022. They apply to employers of all sizes. MINIMUM WAGE INCREASES Connecticut’s state minimum wage will increase to [...]
The Internal Revenue Service today announced an increase in the optional standard mileage rate for the final 6 months of 2022. Taxpayers may use the optional standard mileage [...]
Employment benefits that improve quality of life, increase flexibility, and enable people to attend to their personal needs rank high among both employees and job-seekers. And yet, according [...]
Falls are the second leading cause of unintentional death in the United States and the most common cause of traumatic brain injuries (CDC). While not all falls are [...]
Memorial Day Weekend is just around the corner. Every year, millions of Americans travel on this holiday and this year is no different. AAA estimates that nearly 39.2 million peo