Here’s news you can use in a constantly changing business environment, including the forecast on higher heating costs; diversity that goes beyond gender and race; and how employers are keeping health care costs down.

1. Old man winter will drive up heating costs — Prepare your budget for heating bills that could jump as much as 54% compared to last winter year. See how higher heating bills will affect households that include your employees and customers.
2. Want real inclusivity? Diversity in the workplace goes beyond gender and race to include people with disabilities. Discover how to tap into the talents of millions of workers ready to contribute.
3. Get ready for a surge in health care costs — S. companies expect health benefit costs to rise 5.2% next year in large part due to employees seeking care they deferred during pandemic lockdowns and support for emotional well-being. Read what steps employers are taking to hold down health care costs.
4. Feds crack down on fakers — Businesses that post fake online reviews and other misleading messages are getting fined by federal regulators at the FTC. Read more about how the FTC are cracking down on fake reviews.
5. Who must be back at the office? Employers are facing tough decisions with employees who have moved out of state, just don’t want to work from an office and those who are not vaccinated. Listen to this podcast on how one CEO is thinking through pandemic-era pain points.

Thank you to our Friday Five sources: U.S. News & World Report, Employee Benefit News, CFO Dive, The Detroit News and Kellogg Insight.

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