Whether an employee is out in the field or working behind a desk, maintaining mobility is key to their staying safe and injury-free on the job.
Understanding the First Amendment rights of public employees is crucial to maintaining a legally sound and productive work environment.
Singer/songwriter Warren Zevon’s proclamation — “I’ll sleep when I’m dead” — became a mantra to many who believed that sleep was a waste of time. But now, even former presidents and technology entrepreneurs who once believed that sleep was for the lazy and “unnecessary” adhere to the body of science that shows that sleep is vital to one’s health, well-being and productivity.
In recent years, Massachusetts has experienced an increase in flooding events due to a rise in extreme storms as well as rising tides and groundwater levels.
During its Annual Business Meeting at Connect 351 in Boston on Jan. 25, MIIA presented awards to member communities to recognize their commitment to safety, risk management, and employee wellness.
Health care costs are rising sharply, creating challenges for employers, including municipalities.
Studies show that happy employees are 13% more productive, experience 37% less absenteeism and have higher retention rates. For municipal leaders, building a culture and climate of health and well-being in the workplace has a direct impact on employee performance and engagement.
As New England braces for a few more months of winter, cold snaps remain a persistent challenge for local leaders responsible for maintaining schools and other municipal buildings.
As cyber threats become more sophisticated, local governments and public entities face increased risk, especially from ransomware attacks.
MIIA will present several training sessions during the MMA’s annual conference, Connect 351, to be held Jan. 23 through 25 in Boston.
When planning for a new municipal building, the focus is typically on the design, function and completion of the new structure. But the disposition of the existing building — whether through sale, demolition or re-commissioning for alternative use — is also important.
Healthcare costs are rising in Massachusetts and across the U.S., and all health plans face affordability challenges. For retiree benefits, significant changes are coming that will impact Group Medicare plans, particularly Medicare Advantage and Part D prescription drug plans.
Shared service and mutual aid agreements are valuable tools enabling cities and towns to pool resources. When properly implemented, they can save money and allow municipalities to leverage services they might otherwise be unable to provide.
Women’s health needs evolve significantly across life stages, ranging from family planning to hormonal changes to the management of chronic conditions.
After Massachusetts unemployment rates reached a high of 17% during the COVID pandemic, unemployment is now at 3.5% as of July 2024
Federal government changes to Medicare reimbursements, along with demographic trends and other factors, are expected to impact the market for private-sector Medicare plans as soon as next year.
As we enter the busiest months of the annual hurricane season, meteorologists are forecasting a season with the potential to be more volatile than usual.
This summer, MIIA is welcoming 14 communities and municipal organizations as new members to its Health Benefits Trust.
As out-of-pocket costs for health care continue to rise, many individuals are skipping or delaying health care services, a trend that could bring added health concerns for individuals as well as increased financial impacts for the health care system in the future.
Identifying applicable occupational safety regulations has been challenging for solid waste transfer stations due to the number of possible Occupational Safety and Health Administration standards that could apply to the handling of hazardous materials and daily site operations.
With the Commonwealth in the midst of a major Department of Unemployment Assistance modernization process, it’s a good time for municipalities to assess their practices related to fraud protection and take steps to mitigate risks.
The deadline for MIIA members to submit materials for consideration for MIIA’s fiscal 2024 Rewards program is just weeks away, on May 20 (with no extensions).
Research shows that cooking at home versus eating out is associated with better overall diet quality among adults.
With local water departments facing a growing threat of cyberattacks, federal and state government agencies are urging a heightened focus on preparedness and prevention.
The severity and unpredictability of weather has been increasing the risk of damage and disruption in municipalities and continue to impact municipal planning.
Musculoskeletal pain is the most common type of pain experienced by adults in the U.S., with an estimated 39% of adults suffering from back pain, 36.5% from lower limb pain, and 30.7% from upper limb pain, according to data from the National Health Interview Survey.
During its Annual Business Meeting in Boston on Jan. 20, MIIA presented awards to outstanding member communities and municipal entities to recognize their commitment to safety, risk management, and employee wellness.
Now is a good time to refocus on municipal workplace safety and ensure readiness for onsite inspections by the Massachusetts Department of Labor Standards, the state agency responsible for worker safety.
Setting big, transformative “New Year, New Me” resolutions — such as extreme weight loss or fitness goals — is a common practice, but experts ranging from the U.S. surgeon general to the American Heart Association say that aiming for smaller, more manageable goals can ultimately be more beneficial and longer-lasting.
With changing weather patterns creating a growing challenge for communities, multiple sessions during this year’s MMA Annual Meeting will focus on the impacts of climate change, as well as what municipalities can do to maintain buildings and prevent costly damages.
MIIA will present several training sessions during the MMA Annual Meeting & Trade Show, to be held on Jan. 19 and 20 at the Hynes Convention Center in Boston. MIIA members who attend any of its training sessions will be eligible to earn MIIA Rewards credits.
These are the MIIA Rewards eligible workshops being offered at the Annual Meeting and Trade Show
During October and November, the MIIA Health Benefits Trust provided members with an overview of the current health insurance landscape, including key challenges and strategies for addressing them.
With unpredictable weather patterns and a volatile property insurance market, it’s more crucial than ever to complete comprehensive maintenance protocols ahead of winter.
Slips, trips and falls — most commonly caused by wet surfaces, spills, and weather-related hazards — are a major source of workplace injuries across the U.S.
Public health experts are warning about another potential “tripledemic” this fall and winter, with the convergence of flu season, the spread of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and new COVID-19 variants on the rise.
The labor market gender gap is the smallest it has ever been, with 57.7% of women now working compared to 68.2% of men.
Property insurance costs are on the rise, posing a budget challenge for organizations across all sectors, including municipal governments, school districts and other public entities.
For the second year in a row, MIIA received national recognition for its comprehensive employee health and wellness programs.
The Massachusetts Department of Unemployment Assistance recently issued an alert about another uptick in fraudulent claims, three years after many states were hit with an initial spike during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic
The combination of COVID-19 pandemic relief expiring, along with health care staff shortages, inflation and other general population health challenges, could continue to drive up health care costs over the next several years.
Recent weather-tracking analysis underscores a trend of rapidly intensifying storms throughout the United States, including storms with hurricane force winds and torrential rains.
Local police departments are increasingly implementing “co-response” protocols for calls involving mental health crises, where a licensed social worker serves on department staff and responds to calls alongside police officers.
Despite facing a range of new challenges over the past three years of the COVID pandemic, MIIA Executive Vice President Stanley Corcoran said MIIA members “have seized new opportunities to come out stronger and better equipped for the future.”
In recognition of their dedication and commitment to risk management and employee wellness, MIIA presented awards to several outstanding member communities and municipal entities during the MIIA Annual Business Meeting on Jan. 21.
If your city or town is planning to construct a new municipal facility, a recommended best practice is to include your facilities director, or similar team member, on your design team, according to Ken Wertz, executive director of the Massachusetts Facilities Administrators’ Association.
The MMA Annual Meeting & Trade Show will be held in-person on Jan. 20-21, 2023, at the Hynes Convention Center in Boston.
In recent interviews, wellness experts and town human resources and health leaders agree that offering a wellness program for municipal employees falls in the category of doing the right thing.
The property insurance market is facing challenges on many fronts, from weather-related incidents and increased natural disasters to supply chain issues and rising construction and insurance costs.
Thomas Edison said, “Good fortune is what happens when opportunity meets with planning.” That is the case with two Massachusetts communities whose diligence in creating sound capital plans allowed them to take advantage of new funding opportunities.
Adopted by private and public entities alike, a strong safety culture can prevent injuries, reduce operating exposures, and save money.
Heightened awareness about IT security and the dangers of cyberthreats for municipal governments has prompted state and local governments to band together to discuss cybersecurity and share best practices.
Each summer, municipalities across the state hire seasonal employees to meet increased demand for a variety of jobs. Although temporary in nature, this spike in employment requires careful consideration to avoid safety and liability exposure.
Organizations in every industry are worried about information security. Attacks take place nearly every day, often resulting in the exposure of vital personal records or attackers using data to extort money.
Recent reports indicate that climate change is warming the Northeast faster than most other regions in the Northern Hemisphere, and research released by UMass Amherst notes that the Northeast has heated by 3.6 degrees over the past century due in part to the increasing temperature of the Atlantic Ocean.
In recognition of their dedication and commitment to risk management and employee wellness, MIIA recognized member communities and municipal entities during the MIIA Annual Business Meeting held on Jan. 21.
MIIA reaches a significant milestone this month, celebrating 40 years of service and coverage to Massachusetts cities, towns and municipal entities.
At the MMA Annual Meeting & Trade Show, to be held in person on Jan. 21-22 in Boston, the theme for MIIA is “Stability, Innovation, Growth: Celebrating Our Trusted Partnerships."
Applications for the 2022 Municipal Cybersecurity Grants are now open!!
MIIA was an early adopter of technology tools that help members reduce risk and manage their properties to prevent losses. The avoided losses resulting from investments in these technologies can be in the hundreds to thousands of dollars.
Cooler fall weather brings about thoughts of apple cider donuts, football and pumpkins, but for people in the health and wellness community, autumn is a time for preparation against the coming cold and flu season. Adding to the burden is COVID-19 and the continuing spread of the delta variant.
The unprecedented and lengthy COVID-19 pandemic, combined with the volatile national political atmosphere, have left many people feeling confused and on edge. Some are acting and lashing out in ways they might not have before.
As students return to classrooms and employees return to their offices, it’s vital that communities make sure their HVAC systems are operating efficiently and effectively. Doing so will reduce the risk of equipment failure and provide a safer, healthier environment.
MIIA is welcoming the following communities and municipal organizations as new members to its medical, vision and dental plans for fiscal 2022:
Warmer weather and the rollout of COVID-19 vaccines are raising the hopes and spirits of many Massachusetts residents. A range of mental health impacts of COVID remain an issue, however, according to the Department of Public Health’s COVID-19 Community Impact Survey.
Snow and arctic temperatures in Texas. Wildfires in California. Floods and wind storms in the Midwest. Tornadoes in Massachusetts. As weather and climate change-related disasters continue to grow, so does the cost of property insurance.
Cabin fever has taken on new meaning this winter, as the cold and short days are exacerbated by pandemic-driven social distancing and self-quarantine.
