IMHR

08/05/2026

Delaware's Paid Leave program has already processed 1,760 claims in its first six months.

Think about what that number really means.

That's 1,760 employees who needed time away from work, and 1,760 leave situations that employers had to navigate.

For HR and business leaders, Paid Family and Medical Leave isn't just about paying benefits. It's about successfully managing employee absences while keeping your business running.

Employers have had to:

✅ Determine leave eligibility.

✅ Coordinate leave with PTO, Short Term Disability, Long Term Disability, FMLA, ADA, and other company policies.

✅ Maintain benefits during leave.

✅ Communicate with employees throughout the leave process.

✅ Plan for staffing, scheduling, and operational coverage.

✅ Process employees' return to work.

🚨 Maryland employers...are you ready?

Now is the time to prepare, not when claims begin.

Here are a few steps you should be taking today:

✔ Evaluate whether a private plan is the right fit for your organization.

✔ Review and update your leave policies and employee handbook.

✔ Coordinate with your payroll, HR, and benefits providers.

✔ Develop internal leave administration procedures.

✔ Train supervisors and managers on their responsibilities.

✔ Educate employees about the upcoming program.

If you haven't explored a Maryland FAMLI private plan, now is the perfect time. Reach out to Josh Simon at The Insurance Market, Inc. for a quote and to discuss whether a private plan is the best solution for your organization.

📖 Read the article here:

https://www.coasttv.com/news/delaware-paid-leave-program-pays-1-760-claims-in-first-six-months/article_c0fb7b7f-575c-4735-b2dd-ab0d0f5a111f



Andy Hartstein Jim Hartstein Stephen Hartstein Kim Russell Logan Wescott Roger Waters Scott Ward Josh Simon

08/05/2026

Join our friends at The Insurance Market for their next installment in the Risk Academy series.



Andy Hartstein Jim Hartstein Stephen Hartstein Heather Rickards Parsons

Join us for a Virtual Presentation - The 7 Numbers That Keep Contractors From Becoming Millionaires

Date: August 27, 2026
Time: 2PM
Reserve your spot today!
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_dAfFVBRmSPK0tMxhEVm5Mg

07/27/2026

⁉️Did you know? An employee's FMLA leave doesn't automatically mean their health insurance stops.

One of the most common questions I receive is how health benefits work while an employee is on FMLA. The answer is that, in most cases, employers must maintain group health coverage under the same terms as if the employee were actively working. Employees also generally continue paying their normal share of the premium, and employers have specific notice and timing requirements if premiums aren't paid.

Understanding these rules is critical for protecting both your employees and your organization from costly compliance mistakes.

If you're administering FMLA leave or have questions about leave management, IMHR is here to help you navigate the compliance requirements with confidence.

Let's talk!

☎️ 302.824.1883



Jim Hartstein Andy Hartstein Stephen Hartstein The Insurance Market

07/17/2026

🚗 IRS Increases Standard Mileage Rate Effective July 1, 2026

If your organization reimburses employees for business travel using the IRS standard mileage rate, now is the time to review your reimbursement policy and payroll processes.

Effective July 1, 2026, the IRS increased the standard business mileage rate from 72.5¢ to 76¢ per mile. Medical and qualifying moving expense rates also increased to 23.5¢ per mile, while the charitable mileage rate remains 14¢ per mile.

For employers, this is a good reminder to:
✅ Update mileage reimbursement rates, if you follow the IRS standard rate.
✅ Communicate the change to employees who travel for business.
✅ Verify your expense reimbursement and payroll systems are using the correct rate for mileage incurred on or after July 1.

Small compliance updates like this can help ensure employees are reimbursed accurately and keep your policies current.

Need help reviewing your reimbursement policies or other HR compliance practices? IMHR is here to help.

Jim Hartstein Andy Hartstein Stephen Hartstein Heather Rickards Parsons The Insurance Market

07/14/2026

⁉️ Is your business protected if an employee files a wage and hour claim?

One of the biggest lessons I've learned working in HR is that managing risk isn't just about having good policies and training. It's also about understanding where your insurance coverage begins and where it ends.

Many employers are surprised to learn that wage and hour claims, such as unpaid overtime, employee misclassification, missed meal and rest breaks, and wage payment disputes, are often excluded from standard Employment Practices Liability Insurance (EPLI) policies.

As an HR consultant, my focus is helping employers reduce these risks through:

🔹Wage and hour audits
🔹Proper employee classification
🔹Supervisor training
🔹Handbook and policy reviews
🔹HR compliance guidance

If you have questions about what your EPLI policy does or doesn't cover, I encourage you to reach out to my friends at The Insurance Market. They're a great resource for helping businesses understand their coverage and identify potential gaps.

Risk management works best when your HR strategy and your insurance strategy work together.

Kim Russell Logan Wescott Roger Waters Andy Hartstein Jim Hartstein Stephen Hartstein The Insurance Market Heather Rickards Parsons

07/03/2026

IMHR and The Insurance Market will be closed today in observance of Independence Day. 🇺🇸

06/17/2026

Heat safety is more than a seasonal concern, It's a compliance and workplace safety priority. If your organization needs support with Maryland's Heat Stress Standard, IMHR can help with written plans, supervisor training, employee education, and compliance guidance.

06/05/2026

With summer temperatures on the rise, now is the time for Maryland employers to review their Heat Illness Prevention programs.

Maryland's Heat Stress Standard requires employers to take steps to protect employees working in hot conditions, including providing water, rest breaks, training, emergency response procedures, and acclimatization practices.

Not sure if your organization is compliant? IMHR can help with Heat Illness Prevention Plans, policy development, supervisor and employee training, and compliance guidance tailored to your workplace.

Don't wait for the next heat wave to find gaps in your program.

Andy Hartstein Stephen Hartstein Jim Hartstein

05/26/2026

⁉️ Are your employees working in these states? It may be time to take a closer look at your leave policies.

A growing number of states are expanding employee leave laws to include protections for blood, bone marrow, and organ donation leave. Employers with remote or multi-state employees may be subject to different requirements depending on where employees physically work.

States with employee donation leave laws currently include:
California, Colorado, Connecticut, DC, Hawaii, Illinois, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Virginia, Wisconsin, and more may follow.

📒 Now is a great time to review your handbook, leave policies, and compliance practices to make sure your organization is keeping up with changing laws.

IMHR can help employers navigate multi-state leave compliance and policy updates.

📞 302.824.1883

05/07/2026

An employee handbook is one of the most overlooked risk management tools a company has. It does more than outline policies. A well-written handbook helps set expectations, create consistency, support managers in making decisions, and protect employers when workplace issues arise. As laws continue to change and workplaces evolve, outdated handbooks can create confusion, inconsistencies, and unnecessary exposure. Taking the time to review and update your handbook is not just an HR best practice. It is an important part of protecting your business and supporting your employees.

Join IMHR and The Insurance Market for an upcoming Risk Academy session:
Employee Handbooks 101: Is Your Handbook Living in 2019?

May 20, 2026 at 2:00 p.m.

Click here to register: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_OD8vYFO4QxG7Lkem2xgTkw?fbclid=IwY2xjawRohPhleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFZRGVaakFONHFzd2xlY3Zjc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHubNl9oPXJsc1N-_K-T75YnjKAkQKX7Lti2GPMM6p_F6AV7ZP5Oz31qTW0YZ_aem_x_P02adiMeQqXS0tn5bZVg #/registration

Heather Rickards Parsons Andy Hartstein Jim Hartstein