Hurricanes are among the most powerful and destructive natural disasters, capable of producing winds over 155 mph, devastating coastal and inland areas, and causing catastrophic flooding through storm surges and torrential rains. With the Atlantic hurricane season running from June to November and the Pacific season from May 15 to November 30, understanding how to prepare, respond, and recover is critical for safeguarding lives and property.

Before a Hurricane: Preparation is Key

Preparing for a hurricane can significantly reduce its impact. Here’s how you can get ready:

1. Assemble an Emergency Kit
   Include essentials like water, non-perishable food, medications, batteries, flashlights, and important documents.
2. Secure Your Property
   • Install storm shutters or board up windows with marine plywood.
   • Trim trees and shrubs to minimize wind resistance.
   • Reinforce your roof and garage doors.
   • Bring outdoor furniture and loose items indoors.
3. Know Your Risks and Plan
   • Understand your property’s flood risk and elevation level.
   • Learn community evacuation routes and identify shelters.
   • Develop a family communication plan.
4. Consider Flood Insurance
   Standard homeowner policies do not cover flood damage. Flood insurance is essential to protect your property.

During a Hurricane: Stay Safe

When a hurricane is imminent, follow these steps:

• Stay informed through local news and weather updates.
• Evacuate if authorities direct you to do so or if you live in a mobile home, high-rise, or flood-prone area.
• If sheltering at home, stay in a secure interior room, away from windows and glass doors.
• Avoid elevators and keep emergency supplies accessible.

After a Hurricane: Recovery and Safety

Once the storm has passed, safety remains a priority:

1. Stay Informed
   Continue monitoring local news for updates on flooding and recovery efforts.
2. Inspect Your Home
   • Check for structural damage, gas leaks, and loose power lines.
   • Document damage for insurance claims with photos.
3. Practice Caution
   • Avoid driving on flooded roads or near damaged infrastructure.
   • Use flashlights instead of candles to prevent fire risks.
4. Handle Food and Water Safely
   • Discard spoiled or questionable food.
   • Ensure drinking water is safe before use.
5. Generator Use
   Never operate generators indoors. Carbon monoxide poisoning can occur in enclosed or poorly ventilated spaces.

Understanding Key Hurricane Terms

Familiarize yourself with these terms to better understand forecasts and warnings:

• Tropical Cyclone: A storm system originating over warm waters.
• Storm Surge: An abnormal rise in sea level, often exceeding 20 feet, caused by hurricane winds.
• Hurricane Categories: The Saffir-Simpson Scale ranks hurricanes from Category 1 (minor damage) to Category 5 (catastrophic damage).

Hurricanes can be life-altering events, but with proper preparation and a clear plan, you can protect what matters most.

Stay safe, stay informed, and take action to reduce risks.

The challenges of talent acquisition and employee retention remain top priorities for businesses navigating today’s competitive marketplace. As the workforce landscape continues to evolve, adapting strategies to attract and retain talent is critical for long-term success.

Trends Shaping the Workforce

In recent years, shifts like The Great Resignation have underscored the need for organizations to rethink how they engage with employees. Key trends include:

• Increased Demand for Flexibility: Workers increasingly expect hybrid or remote options, making flexibility a cornerstone of recruitment and retention strategies.
• Benefit Expectations Rising: Employees are prioritizing comprehensive benefits, from healthcare to professional development opportunities.
• The Talent Marketplace: Despite economic uncertainties, job hopping has become commonplace, creating a fiercely competitive environment for top talent.

The Cost of Recruitment Mistakes

Leaders often spend 10% of their time recruiting and 90% correcting missteps in recruitment. This imbalance highlights the need for a thoughtful approach to hiring, emphasizing quality over speed.

Evolving Recruitment Strategies

To attract top talent in 2025 and beyond, consider these best practices:

• Transparency and Personalization: Building trust and maintaining a human touch during the hiring process is key.
• Internal Recruitment and Referrals: Look to your current workforce for talent and encourage employee referrals to strengthen your pipeline.
• Competitive Compensation and Benefits: Stay ahead by offering compelling compensation packages that align with market trends.

Retaining Talent: The Role of Culture

Retention begins with a strong organizational culture. Here’s how to cultivate it:

• Infuse Mission, Vision, and Values: Bring these elements to life through action, not just words.
• Develop and Promote from Within: Investing in your workforce and creating clear paths for advancement fosters loyalty.
• Empower Frontline Leaders: Equip managers with the tools to inspire and guide their teams effectively.
• Consistency in Feedback: Two-way communication is essential—happy employees are productive employees.

The Worker Shortage Crisis

Economic recovery hinges on addressing workforce shortages. For instance, in Connecticut alone, employers face over 100,000 open positions, even with a reduced labor force. Solving this issue requires innovative approaches to recruitment, retention, and workforce development.

Looking Ahead

By focusing on flexibility, culture, and strategic recruitment, organizations can better navigate the challenges of attracting and retaining talent. Let’s redefine what it means to create a thriving workplace in 2025 and beyond.

Employee handbooks play a crucial role in setting expectations, addressing workplace concerns, and mitigating legal risks. However, failing to update these policies regularly can leave employers vulnerable to costly fines, penalties, and lawsuits. With the start of 2025, employers have an excellent opportunity to review and update their employment policies in response to recent legal and regulatory developments.

Key Policies to Review

1. Captive Audience Bans Several states have introduced laws prohibiting employers from mandating attendance at meetings focused on religious or political matters, including union organization. As of 2025, 12 states, including California, Illinois, and New York, have implemented such bans. Employers should ensure their policies make these meetings voluntary and avoid coercion.
2. PWFA Reasonable Accommodations The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA), effective since June 2023, mandates accommodations for pregnancy-related limitations unless it imposes an undue hardship on the employer. Employers should draft clear policies outlining the accommodation process and align these with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s (EEOC) latest guidelines.
3. Paid Family and Medical Leave Paid leave laws are expanding rapidly. In 2025, states like Alaska, Maryland, and Michigan will implement new regulations. Employers must ensure compliance with varying state and local laws, detailing eligibility, accrual methods, and permissible reasons for leave.
4. CROWN Acts Protecting against discrimination based on hairstyles historically associated with race, CROWN Acts have been adopted in 27 states. Employers should revise dress codes and grooming policies to prevent racial discrimination and comply with these laws.
5. Expanded Protected Classes States and municipalities are broadening the scope of protected classes. Recent additions include traits like height, weight, caste, and reproductive health decisions. Employers must update discrimination policies to address these expansions and monitor ongoing legislative changes.
6. Pay Transparency Pay transparency laws, designed to combat wage inequality, are becoming widespread. States like Illinois, Minnesota, and Vermont will enact new requirements in 2025, ranging from salary disclosures in job postings to providing pay information upon request. Employers should develop strategies to comply with these laws proactively.
7. National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) Employee Rights With increased enforcement of the NLRA, policies should be reviewed to ensure compliance with employees’ rights to organize and engage in concerted activities. Employers should examine policies related to personal conduct, confidentiality, and social media to avoid infringing on these rights.

Action Steps for 2025

Regularly reviewing and updating employment policies is essential for legal compliance and mitigating risks. Employers should:

• Stay informed about federal, state, and local regulations.
• Update handbooks to reflect new legal requirements.
• Train HR teams and management on policy changes.

By taking these steps, organizations can foster a compliant and inclusive workplace while minimizing potential liabilities.