HR Outlook

Our Picks

Phoenix Implements Heat Safety Law for Workers Due to Increasing Temperatures and Fatalities

The Phoenix City Council has passed a new law requiring all city contractors and subcontractors to create and implement heat safety plans. This new rule, driven by labor advocacy and a spike in temperatures, requires that workers be provided with cool, potable water, rest breaks, and access to shaded or air-conditioned areas. By May 1, 2025, it will also be compulsory to equip enclosed cabs with air conditioning. This decision comes in the wake of Phoenix experiencing unprecedented heat in 2023, leading to a record 395 heat-related fatalities, as reported by Maricopa County’s public health department.

Councilwoman Yassamin Ansari emphasized the severity of heat as a local hazard and expressed hope that this ordinance would pave the way for more robust measures to combat the increasing threat of extreme temperatures.

The focus on heat safety aligns with a national concern, as rising temperatures due to climate change continue to impact workers, particularly in sectors like construction and agriculture. In response, President Joe Biden outlined initiatives to enhance worker protections against extreme heat, including stricter enforcement of heat safety regulations and additional inspections by the U.S. Department of Labor. The administration also plans to boost investments in weather forecasting and water storage to mitigate the effects of heatwaves.

Despite these efforts, the U.S. lacks a federal standard for heat safety in the workplace. Studies, such as one by Turner Construction, highlight the risks workers face, showing that even on moderately warm days, many can experience dangerously high body temperatures, underscoring the urgency for comprehensive heat safety standards.

Trending

Continue Reading

Report: Companies Struggling to Meet Workers’ Pay Expectations

According to a report released on October 23 by financial services firm WTW, while employees rank pay as the top reason for joining and staying with a company, only about half of surveyed employers believe they are effectively delivering on their pay programs. This disconnect is attributed to several factors affecting the workplace...

70% of Employers Prioritize Healthcare Cost Controlling Expenses

Employers grapple with rising healthcare costs while prioritizing employee well-being, a Willis Towers Watson (WTW) report notes. As 69% of U.S. employers focus on managing healthcare expenses, strategies to navigate this challenge are multifaceted. Courtney Stubblefield, WTW's Managing Director of Health and Benefits, emphasizes the complexity each employer faces in balancing costs and...

Half of Workers With Chronic Illness Fear Taking Time Off

A national poll conducted by Harvard T.H. Chan School...

95% of Workers Say Pay Does Not Match Rising Cost of Living

According to Monster's 2025 Work Watch Report, a staggering...

AltoPartners Expands into Sweden with Headlight International AB to Anchor Nordic Expansion

29 January 2025 – AltoPartners is thrilled to announce the addition of...