The U.S. inflation rate has increased by 8.3% over the last year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). This has led to significant price increases across various consumer goods as well as employee benefits such as health insurance. Luckily, there are some strategies employers can utilize to mitigate increasing benefits costs without shifting the burden to employees, thus remaining attractive to current and prospective employees.

As a result of gas price increases, the IRS has made a midyear adjustment to the optional mileage rate.

On March 16, 2022, New York enacted a new law that establishes a toll-free hotline for making workplace sexual harassment claims and provides free legal advice to callers. The law also requires employers to provide information about the hotline to employees, starting July 14, 2022. This Legal Update provides more information. 

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has extended its deadline for employers to submit equal employment opportunity (EEO) data from 2021.

This compliance bulletin reviews the components of OSHA's Outdoor and Indoor Heat-related Hazard NEP.