At the 2025 World Economic Forum Annual Meeting, global business and health leaders convened to discuss the immediate and long-term actions required to mitigate climate-driven health risks.

Barely a week after the catastrophic blow dealt by Helene, another powerful hurricane followed in its wake. As climate-related emergencies become an increasingly common fact of life, employers need to be prepared to address employee safety and provide support. Tracy Watts shares 10 ways employers can mitigate workforce risk in these challenging times. 

Back-to-back hurricanes have raised urgent questions about flood protection for homeowners. Tracy Watts describes the current state of the flood insurance market and has some advice for employers looking to help workers become more resilient in the face of growing risks from extreme climate events.

More than one-third of all states have some form of accrued paid leave requirement; 18 states (including three with laws that take effect in 2025) and Washington, DC, require paid sick leave, with three other states requiring accrued paid time off that can be used for any reason.

Mandates requiring paid leave for an employee’s own health condition exist in many states —along with Puerto Rico and Washington, DC. Several other states will start similar programs in the next few years.

Mercer projects 2026 inflation-adjusted amounts for health savings accounts, high-deductible health plans and excepted-benefit health reimbursement arrangements will increase from 2025 levels.