From Remote Work to AI Hiring: The New EPLI Risks Companies Aren’t Prepared For

The shift to flexible work has created a new category of workplace risk that many HR leaders underestimate. Tooher-Ferraris Insurance Group supports organizations by helping them understand these emerging exposures and build stronger HR and Human Capital Management strategies before issues escalate into claims.
As workplaces evolve, so do the liabilities. These changes have opened the door to employment practices insurance claims that did not exist a few years ago.
Recent data reflects the speed of this shift. The EEOC reported more than 81,000 workplace discrimination charges in 2023, marking a noticeable rise from pre-pandemic levels. For HR executives, these numbers signal a need to reassess internal processes through a modern lens to look for EPLI risks in 2026.

1. The Hidden Risks of Remote Work Cultures

Remote and hybrid models have improved productivity, yet they come with subtle liabilities. Informal communication through chat tools increases the risk of harassment allegations.
Unsupervised digital interactions and inconsistent documentation also increase the likelihood of performance management disputes. HR teams that rely on outdated oversight methods often discover too late that informal digital behavior can be interpreted as misconduct during an investigation.

2. Digital Communication and the Rise of Misinterpretation Claims

Workplace communication now happens in short messages, emojis, and rapid exchanges across multiple platforms. This environment can fuel claims of retaliation or hostile conduct because tone and intent are harder to interpret.
According to a recent Gartner survey, nearly 47 percent of employees struggle to find the information they need to perform their work. Businesses that lack clear communication protocols face heightened EPLI exposure.

3. Algorithm-Based Hiring and Discrimination Allegations

AI-powered hiring tools promise efficiency, but they have also introduced bias concerns. Several state agencies have already initiated reviews of algorithm-based recruitment models after detecting potential disparate impact in screening decisions.

HR leaders who adopt automated tools without auditing their inputs and outputs risk facing discrimination claims tied to age, gender, or ethnicity. These exposures are expected to grow as more companies integrate AI into early-stage applicant filtering.

4. Strengthening Protection Through Strategic HR Governance

Emerging EPLI risks in 2026 aren’t a sign to slow innovation. Instead, they highlight the importance of structured HR governance. Tooher-Ferraris Insurance Group assists organizations by evaluating internal practices and identifying areas where remote work, digital interactions, or AI tools may increase liability.

When clients strengthen training programs, update communication policies, and implement consistent documentation procedures, they reduce the likelihood of costly disputes while still enabling workplace flexibility.

How Leaders Can Stay Ahead of the New EPLI Risks

Professional audiences are increasingly aware that tomorrow’s liability issues will not resemble yesterday’s. Proactive HR oversight is now a strategic necessity.

Tooher-Ferraris Insurance Group helps HR leaders navigate modern workplace risks with informed guidance, employment practices insurance, and professional liability insurance in Connecticut.

If your organization is adapting to remote work, digital communication, or AI hiring, now is the time to strengthen protections. Contact our team to evaluate your EPLI exposures before claims arise.

Business Insurance

December 14, 2025

Cyber Scams Are Targeting Small Businesses—Here’s How to Fight Back

Small businesses are facing a surge in cyber scams, costing companies thousands of dollars in lost revenue, fraudulent transfers, data breaches, and system downtime. Cybercriminals are becoming more strategic, often using phishing emails, fake invoices, spoofed contacts, and social engineering tactics that look nearly identical to real business communications.

For many small organizations without a dedicated IT department, these attacks slip through unnoticed until it’s too late.

To protect your organization financially and operationally, understanding the threat and strengthening your defenses with cybersecurity insurance is essential.

How Cyber Scams Are Draining Small Businesses

One of the most common attacks hitting small businesses is phishing. In these scams, attackers send messages that appear to come from trusted vendors, employees, or even bank representatives. The goal is simple: trick the recipient into sharing sensitive information or authorizing fraudulent payments.

Fake invoice scams are another growing issue. Cybercriminals impersonate real vendors and request payment for services your business never received. Because these emails often use accurate branding and language, many businesses don’t detect the fraud until money has already been wired out.

Business email compromise (BEC) scams have also surged. These incidents occur when a criminal gains access to a legitimate business email account and uses it to authorize transfers, request password resets, or steal sensitive client data. The financial fallout can be substantial, especially for small businesses with limited cash flow.

Why Small Businesses Are Easy Targets

Cybercriminals frequently target small businesses because they assume these companies have fewer defenses in place. Many organizations lack strict cybersecurity procedures, employee training programs, or authentication controls. Even businesses that invest in strong firewalls and software protection can still fall victim if a single employee clicks the wrong link.

This is why cybersecurity insurance has become a critical safeguard. No company is immune, and even one successful phishing attempt can cripple daily operations.

How Cyber Insurance Coverage Helps Protect Your Company

While cybersecurity tools help prevent attacks, cyber insurance coverage helps your business recover financially when an incident occurs. A strong policy can cover:

Financial losses from fraudulent payments
Legal fees related to data breaches
Costs associated with notifying affected customers
IT forensics and system restoration
Ransomware payments in qualifying cases
Business interruption losses

With the right cybersecurity insurance, your company gains a financial safety net that allows you to respond quickly and resume operations after a cyber incident.

Smart Steps to Protect Your Business from Cyber Scams

In addition to insurance protection, small businesses should take proactive measures:

Train staff regularly on identifying phishing and social engineering attempts
Implement multi-factor authentication on all accounts
Verify invoices and payment changes by phone
Use updated security software across all devices
Backup data securely and frequently

Combining strong internal practices with robust cyber insurance coverage creates a powerful defense against growing cyber threats.

Protect Your Business Today

Cyber scams aren’t slowing down, but your business doesn’t have to face these threats alone. If you’re searching for reliable and professional insurance services, check out Tooher-Ferraris Insurance Group, a leading insurance company offering comprehensive solutions.

Our wide range of services includes cyber security insurance, commercial property insurance, general liability insurance, professional liability insurance, and much more.

Protect your business and your peace of mind starting today. Connect with us to learn more.

Employee Benefits

December 10, 2025

Prioritizing Mental Health: Why It’s the Most Valuable Employee Benefit in 2026

As workplaces continue to shift toward more supportive and human-centered practices, mental health employee benefits are emerging as the most valuable offerings employers can provide in 2026. Organizations are recognizing that a healthy workforce is directly tied to productivity, retention, and long-term success. Employees are seeking more than traditional perks. They want meaningful support systems that help them manage stress, prevent burnout, and maintain emotional resilience.

The Rising Demand for Employee Benefits Centered on Well-Being

Employees today face increased workloads, financial pressure, and fast-paced organizational demands. This has created a growing need for employee benefits that go beyond standard healthcare. Mental health coverage, therapy access, and wellness programs are now core requirements instead of optional add-ons. Surveys continue to show that workers prioritize mental health support over many traditional benefits. Companies that fail to provide these essentials risk higher turnover and disengagement.

Mental health employee benefits in 2026 reflect a shift in employee expectations. Workers want to feel valued, seen, and supported not only as professionals but as human beings. Employers that invest in emotional well-being experience stronger morale, improved teamwork, and a more stable workforce.

Why Mental Health Support Drives Performance

Mental health benefits are more than a feel-good initiative. They have a measurable impact on business performance. Employees who have access to counseling, stress management resources, and wellness tools are more focused, productive, and confident in their roles. When individuals feel supported, they contribute more creatively and collaborate more effectively.

Additionally, untreated stress and anxiety contribute to absenteeism and presenteeism. When companies provide strategic employee benefits with mental health at the center, they reduce these challenges significantly. Mental health employee benefits help prevent burnout, lower healthcare costs, and create an environment where employees can thrive.

Mental Health Coverage is Becoming a Standard Expectation

Increasingly, mental health services are becoming a required part of comprehensive employee benefits packages. Therapy coverage, resilience training, and mindfulness workshops are now considered essential components of workplace well-being. Employees entering the workforce in 2026 expect their employers to offer mental health support as a non-negotiable aspect of the job.

Companies that invest in modern mental health employee benefits in 2026 position themselves as leaders in employee care. This commitment also helps them attract and retain top talent. As the competition for skilled workers grows, employers with strong wellness benefits will stand out.

Building a Healthier Future Through Employee Benefits

Workplaces that prioritize mental health show stronger long-term growth. Mental health employee benefits help create more supportive and empathetic cultures. These benefits are not only investments in employee well-being but also in the stability and success of the organization.

If you are looking for professional insurance services and employee benefit solutions to protect your organization and your people, explore Tooher-Ferraris Insurance Group, a trusted leader in the industry.

Our services include directors and officers insurance, employment practices insurance, fiduciary liability insurance, pollution insurance, employee benefit services, and more.

Partner with us today to get started.

Business Insurance

December 9, 2025

The Modern Boardroom’s Blind Spots: Why D&O Insurance Is No Longer Optional in 2026

The first warning sign usually appears quietly. A regulatory inquiry. A shareholder concern. A sudden economic shift that exposes a decision made months earlier. For many organizations, leadership risk becomes visible only when the consequences are already unfolding. This is where Tooher-Ferraris Insurance Group becomes a strategic ally.
Their D and O insurance expertise helps HR leaders and business executives structure smarter risk management strategies and develop well-designed benefit and protection programs that support long-term organizational stability. Today, the conversation in boardrooms is no longer about whether directors’ and officers’ insurance is necessary. The real question is how soon companies can secure it before the next unseen threat arrives.

1. A New Era of Executive Exposure

Board members and senior leaders are facing unprecedented vulnerability in 2026. Global reporting requirements have expanded, regulatory penalties have risen, and litigation tied to corporate governance has increased year over year.
A 2025 industry analysis found that executive liability cases grew by 57 percent in the United States alone over the last decade. HR executives, CFOs, and business owners now operate in an environment where a single strategic decision can create significant financial exposure for both the individual and the organization.

2. Regulatory Shifts That Increase Liability

Regulators are enforcing higher standards of transparency across financial planning, workplace culture, and human capital management. New rules around data privacy, ESG reporting, and workforce policies have created additional layers of accountability.
Even well-intentioned decisions can trigger investigations or claims that require extensive legal defense. Directors and officers insurance provides a critical safety net by covering defense costs and settlement expenses that would otherwise fall directly on the business and its leadership.

3. Economic Volatility and Boardroom Decisions

Economic unpredictability is another major driver of elevated risk. Market fluctuations, rapidly changing employment conditions, and investor scrutiny have created pressure points that can influence leadership decisions. When these decisions result in losses or stakeholder dissatisfaction, the board becomes a target for claims.

4. Why Companies Cannot Delay D&O Coverage

Delaying protection leaves organizations exposed during the moments when they are most vulnerable. Claims related to wrongful decisions, breach of fiduciary duty, or mismanagement often arise without warning.

With legal fees continuing to increase each year, even a single claim can strain financial resources. For HR leaders who guide organizational stability, D and O insurance has become an essential element of responsible governance.

How Tooher-Ferraris Insurance Group Supports Leadership

Safeguard your leadership before the next challenge appears. Tooher-Ferraris Insurance Group helps organizations build stronger, smarter protection strategies that support confident decision-making. We also offer professional liability insurance for individuals and auto insurance services.

Connect with our team today to discuss how directors and officers insurance in Connecticut can reinforce your human capital management efforts and strengthen your executive risk framework. Reach out now.

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