R&R Insurance Blog

According to the National Association of Community Health Centers, more than 100 million people in the United States don't have a primary care provider. 

Primary care is crucial to help manage and prevent chronic illness, especially when chronic conditions are a reason healthcare costs continue to rise. The younger generations may be the ones lacking a primary care provider the most because they feel their health is invincible. 

However, through a primary care exam, we have client success stories about health conditions being caught in the exact right time. It is important one finds a primary care provider they trust and feel comfortable with. 

Please share and promote this infographic with employees around the importance of preventive care. 

Interested in tying a workplace incentive to a preventive care exam?

In today's fast-paced world, workplace stress is common among employees resulting in reduced productivity and lower job satisfaction. As a result, many businesses are now realizing the importance of workplace ergonomics and wellbeing to improve employee satisfaction, productivity, and health.

On March 28th, R&R's Taylor Hahn, CHES and Lori Willkom, MPT, CSCS will be going in-depth on the topic in their webinar Ergonomics & Wellbeing: Work Smarter, Not Harder. The presentation will dive into the advantages of combining Ergonomics & Wellbeing. Lori and Taylor delve into workplace strategies, the health landscape of the United States, as well as expanding on some of the tools and resources listed below.

Ergonomics refers to designing jobs to fit the worker by making the work environment more comfortable, efficient and safe. There are tools and resources that can help make implementing ergonomic and wellbeing practices in the workplace easier.

Ergonomic Furniture and Equipment:

The use of ergonomic furniture and equipment can significantly improve employee wellbeing and reduce the risk of workplace injuries. Ergonomic chairs, material handling equipment and standing workstations are just a few examples of equipment that can be used to create a comfortable and healthy work environment. Investing in ergonomic furniture and equipment can be expensive, but the long-term benefits of reduced absenteeism, increased productivity, and better employee satisfaction make it a worthwhile investment.

Training and Education:

Training and education are essential for implementing and maintaining ergonomic practices in the workplace. Employers can provide their employees with ergonomic training, which can help them identify and prevent workplace injuries, including repetitive strain injuries, carpal tunnel syndrome, and back pain. Employers can also encourage employees to take breaks and stretch regularly to prevent these types of injuries.

Identify Risk with Ergonomic Assessments:

Employers can conduct ergonomic assessments to identify potential hazards in the workplace and implement strategies to minimize risks. Ergonomic assessments can help identify areas where workers are at risk of injury, such as repetitive tasks, poor lighting, and uncomfortable seating. Once the hazards have been identified, employers can develop strategies to eliminate or reduce the risks, such as changing the layout of the workspace or introducing new equipment.

Workplace Design:

Workplace design plays a crucial role in creating a comfortable and healthy work environment. Employers can design workspaces that are ergonomic and visually appealing, which can help to reduce stress and increase employee satisfaction. For example, providing natural lighting, comfortable seating, and noise-reducing materials can create a more pleasant work environment.

Health and Wellness Programs Encourage Healthy Habits:

Employers can implement health and wellness programs to encourage employees to adopt healthy lifestyle habits, such as regular exercise and healthy eating. These programs can also include stress management techniques, such as meditation and mindfulness, which can help to reduce workplace stress and improve employee wellbeing.

Implementing ergonomic and wellbeing practices in the workplace can significantly improve employee satisfaction, productivity, and health. Employers can use the tools and resources to create a comfortable and healthy work environment for their employees. By investing in ergonomic furniture and equipment, providing training and education, conducting ergonomic assessments, designing ergonomic workspaces, and implementing health and wellness programs, employers can create a culture of wellbeing in the workplace, helping employees work smarter, not harder.

Officially, it was a record-breaking year regarding the number of reported fires in the waste and recycling industry. With the record of 390 unique five-alarm fire incidents reported, we can reasonably conclude 2,400 plus fires occurred in 2022 (Ryan Fogelman 2023). Due to the vast number of material recovery facilities alone and the compounding increase of hazards, it’s clear this problem will not suppress. Heat Seeker Cameras offers Early Fire Detection (EFD), a 24/7 monitoring system that inspects for hot spots with infrared cameras to detect early signs of fire.

The primary cause of fires in the waste and recycling industry is improper handling of materials and compressed, punctured materials combust causing spark from metal contact, which ignite flammable contaminants. This can include the mixing of different types of waste, such as batteries, rubbish, gas, oil, which can spontaneously ignite and cause a fire. However, many facilities are not equipped with proper fire suppression systems, making it difficult to control and extinguish fires once they have started. Leveraging Heat Seeker Cameras Early Fire Detection system readily detects and communicates potential fires to key personnel quickly and effectively. Communication options include dial-up voice calls, SMS, text, email, popup, app messages, and push notifications to targeted recipients, thus helping create quick and effective awareness.

Fires are not a new threat for the recycling industry, but without the necessary detection programs, the frequency of recycle-plant fires has drastically increased. Lithium-ion batteries are the biggest threat in the recycling industry because of the varying identities they can equip. Lithium-ion batteries are virtually invisible in the pile and the facility workers often are unable to see them until it’s too late. The global lithium-ion battery market was valued at $30 billion in 2017, it’s projected to increase to $100 billion by 2025 (Jillian Mock 2020). As electronics are becoming more dependent on lithium-ion batteries, they are ending up in the recycling facilities. Most consumers mean well when recycling their electronics, but they are fueling one of the largest impending problems in the recycling industry.

Heat Seeker Cameras optimizes the safety of employees and the facility by combining various fire sensing technologies to detect warming before the formation of smoke or flames. During an incident, the Early Fire Detection Application sends a real time to alarm the recipients. Each message is fully customizable based on the location, severity of the issue, and notify different people based on interests and responsibilities. Early Fire Detection reduces hardware and maintenance cost, adapts to individual needs, and keeps insurance costs low. Heat Seeker Cameras’ intelligent Early Fire Detection solution is the all-in-one fire protection system that keeps your employees and facility safe.

Jayden Endrizzi
jayden.endrizzi@gmail.com
heatseekercameras.com

It is officially the month of February! The holidays are over and the new year is in full effect. But, February, especially in Wisconsin, can be daunting for some. The days feel long with the lack of sunshine, it may be brutally cold, and some are recovering financially from multiple holiday party engagements. 

With that in mind, prioritizing mental health is even more of a priority.  

This one page flyer, can be distributed to employees to remind them that while financial stress can be a burden on mental health in addition to winter blues, there are multiple ways/strategies to combat it.

• Reframing mindset.
• Leaning on a support system.
• Working with a financial planner.
• Referencing the community.
• Avoiding negativity.
• Getting outside.
• Increasing light within the home.
• Organizing
• Exercise

Last but not least, February is also American Heart Month. The American Heart Association is a fantastic resource for healthy eating, fitness, lifestyle, health topics and more. Don’t forget to view their site and maybe even distribute an article or statistic.

Commercial liability insurance costs are outpacing nominal inflation, but why? 

In December 2021 a jury in Corpus Christi Texas found the owner of Beer Belly's Sports Bar in violation of Texas Dram Shop laws and liable for a historic $301 billion in mostly punitive damages.

The bar owners crime was a patron of Beer Belly's consumed 11 drinks pushing his blood alcohol level up to at least .263. The patron drove home, ran a red light and tragically hit an innocent family killing three people.

Without defending the bar owner, we can still put this large jury award in context. The largest environmental disaster in US history was the Deep Water Horizon oil spill, which BP spent an estimated $71 billion over 10 years in clean up costs and and restitution. The total expenditure of the Texas state government in fiscal year 2021 was $143.2 billion. A jury verdict such as this is an example of a term used in the insurance industry Social Inflation.

Social inflation describes the rising cost of insuring against certain types of risks, such as those related to employment practices, civil rights, and mass tort claims. This increase in costs is driven by a variety of factors, including changes in social attitudes, the increasing prevalence of class-action lawsuits, and the increasing willingness of plaintiffs to seek large settlements such as the Beer Belly's Sports Bar example.

One of the main drivers of social inflation is the changing social landscape in the United States. Over the past several decades, there has been a shift in public attitudes towards issues such as discrimination, harassment, and civil rights. As a result, plaintiffs are increasingly willing to pursue legal action in cases where they believe their rights have been violated. This has led to an increase in the number of class-action lawsuits, which can be incredibly costly for companies to defend.

Another factor contributing to social inflation is the increased use of technology in the legal process. The availability of online legal research tools, combined with the proliferation of social media and other online platforms, has made it easier for plaintiffs to gather evidence and build their cases. This has led to a significant increase in the number of mass tort claims, which can be extremely expensive for companies to defend.

The rise in social inflation has significant implications for companies and insurers. As the cost of insuring against certain types of risks continues to rise, companies may be forced to pass these costs on to consumers in the form of higher prices for goods and services. This can lead to increased costs for businesses, as well as for consumers, who may be forced to pay more for the products and services they rely on.

Insurances companies also could respond to social inflation by raising premiums and tightening underwriting standards, which would make it more difficult for some companies to obtain insurance coverage. This could lead to fewer businesses entering the market, which would ultimately have a negative impact on the economy as a whole.

To mitigate the effects of social inflation, companies can take a proactive approach to managing their risks. This may involve implementing risk management programs, investing in training and education for employees, and working with insurers to develop tailored insurance products that better meet the needs of the business.

Overall, social inflation is a complex and multi-faceted issue that has significant implications for companies, insurers, and consumers. As the cost of insuring against certain types of risks continues to rise, it is important for businesses to take a proactive approach to managing their risks, and for insurers to develop innovative products that can help manage these costs.

Matthew Prickette | R&R Insurance Services
Commercial Insurance Consultant
https://www.myknowledgebroker.com/matthew-prickette
Matthew.Prickette@rrins.com

As we enter into 2023, many will set intentions to make healthier choices, especially around nutritional components. In the fast-paced world we live in, many rely on pre-made or on-the-go food choices. However, those food choices often have ingredients added to make them have a long shelf-life. The rule of thumb, traditionally, is if you can't pronounce it, don't eat it. On the other hand, many will rely on fad diets. Fad diets are not something that is sustainable long-term. In fact, most who participate in fad diets regain back their weight and more. 

When it comes to setting nutritional intentions, remember small changes lead to big rewards. Could you develop a grocery list and plan out your meals for the week? Could you add in more vegetables and whole grains? To help spark your interest, we have included the January Recipe of the Month which is slow cooker beef stew. This recipe is less than ten ingredients, feeds six and can be completed in the slow cooker in four hours. Healthy meals truly can be that easy!

So, with this new year, we encourage you to try new healthy recipes that fit your preferences, eat a variety of foods, write out your weekly meal plan and of course continue moving!

If you are interested in discussing wellness programming further please reach out to our Strategic Wellbeing Consultant, Taylor Hahn.

As we move into a new year, many businesses are considering implementing or enhancing their wellbeing programs due to the continued rise in healthcare costs along with improving their overall employee wellbeing. In addition, organizations are focused on creating a culture of wellbeing in order to better attract and retain employees. 

In 2020, the health care costs of people with at least one chronic condition were responsible for 86% of health care spending. More than half of all American adults have at least one chronic condition.

Therefore, even small employers cannot afford to not address employee wellness (CDC, 2020). Employers who implement a wellbeing program can see increased productivity, reduced time away from work, reduced disability costs, decreased healthcare costs through cost avoidance and high financial return on investment (Shared Values Shared Results, 2016).

At R&R Insurance, we know our clients fall into a wide spectrum on their wellbeing journey. With that in mind, we created a Workplace Wellness Guide with six steps to wellness success! Workplace wellbeing programs can be daunting to begin or evaluate, so we've streamlined the process to include six easy to follow steps.

Throughout the document, you will: 

1. Create a Wellness Team
2. Collect Data
3. Develop an Operating Plan
4. Choose Appropriate Health Initiatives
5. Create a Supportive Environment
6. Consistently Evaluate Outcomes

There are plenty of credible resources throughout the guide so employers who currently have a turnkey wellness program will still find it beneficial as well as employers who are starting from grassroots. We hope you find this information helpful to begin and evaluate your wellbeing culture. 

If you are interested in the guide and/or discussing wellness programming further please reach out to our Strategic Wellbeing Consultant, Taylor Hahn.

When beginning a conversation, we are accustomed to ask:

"how are you?"

There's no doubt that many of us ask that very question multiple times a day. When on the receiving end of that question, you now have two options which are to answer truthfully or give the standard:

                               "good and you?"

What information are we really obtaining with that vague question? Could we begin to ask better questions not only in the workplace but at home too? At the most recent Wellness Council of Wisconsin Conference, Zach Mercurio, PhD provided attendees with better questions to ask.

No more "How are you?"

Try asking these six questions instead:

• What has your attention right now?
• What kind of day have you had?
• What do you need help with today? How can I help?
• What's been most meaningful to you today?
• Who did you help and who helped you?

By asking better questions, you will begin to have more insight into your co-workers and families day and start having meaningful conversations. Hopefully, you will try testing these out immediately--team meetings is the perfect place to do so!

Lastly, while asking better questions, Zach Mercurio, PhD also emphasized the importance of creating mattering. Follow the NAN points from him below too!

If you are interested in discussing wellness programming further please reach out to our Strategic Wellbeing Consultant, Taylor Hahn.

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends that adults over the age of 19 and under the age of 65 get regularly screened for anxiety. This is the first time the Task Force has recommended anxiety screenings in adult primary care without symptoms. 

According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA), "anxiety disorders are the most comment mental illness in the U.S. affecting 40 million adults (19.1% of the population) age 18 and older every year." While anxiety disorders are highly treatable, less than 40% of those suffering are receiving treatment. 

While this proposed recommendation is not final and is in the public comment period through October 17^th, this is an opportunity for the public to provide input and perspective for final approval considerations.

This News Brief explains further details around this. 

If you are interested in discussing wellness programming further please reach out to our Strategic Wellbeing Consultant, Taylor Hahn.

Fall is right around the corner, so that means you may be considering how to promote the flu shot to your employees. Just like last year, flu symptoms are very similar to COVID symptoms; receiving a flu shot could save lives and resources. Not to mention, having healthy employees benefits the company since sick time is significantly reduced. While the flu season is unpredictable, you shouldn't take any chances. Consider hosting an onsite clinic or promoting employees to visit an in-network pharmacy/provider. Either way, education on the flu shot is very important.

Sending email blasts, showcasing posters around the office, even a direct mail reminder with specific steps on how to obtain a flu shot will be beneficial to communicate to your employees. That way, it takes the guess work out of the research for the employee. If you're interested in hosting an onsite clinic, feel free to contact our Strategic Wellbeing Consultant to begin the facilitation process; keep in mind that the minimum participation ranges vary from 25-50 participants. 

Lastly, common myths employees have about the flu shot vary from the flu vaccine will make you sick, vaccines aren't safe, the flu isn't bad, etc. Consider promoting this Get the Facts flyer to your employees in time for flu season.

If you are interested in discussing wellness programming further please reach out to our Strategic Wellbeing Consultant, Taylor Hahn.