Big I Virginia E-News

 

The Workplace Advisors
Back in January, I wrote in this report that there were lots of unknowns that might impact the US labor market in 2025. Halfway through the year, guess what? The picture isn’t much clearer. But here’s what’s happened that is important for you to know.

The Workplace Advisors
The Pay Transparency trend is no longer a trend; it’s a reality. Across the United States, many state-level laws and local ordinances are being enacted to increase transparency in salary negotiations and in the overall hiring process. Just this year, five states have added new text and regulations relating to pay transparency requirements. On a local level, many large cities and industrial centers have additional requirements (New York City, Jersey City, Cleveland, to name a few). The management and execution of these changes, especially in areas where both state and local requirements are in effect, can be challenging. Arguably more complex are remote/hybrid roles and territory-based positions where an employee will be based outside of the organization’s “home state.”

Question: We want our next hire to speak a specific language or multiple languages. Can we ask them during the hiring process?

Answer: What you can and cannot require depends on the essential requirements of the position. This includes any aspect of the job.

Federal, state, and local laws prohibit discrimination against a person for numerous protected characteristics, so any requirement must have a legitimate business reason, or else a company could face a discrimination claim.

For example, if the employee needs to speak two languages to perform their job as a translator, you can ask if they are proficient in those languages. You can also ask about their proficiency to ensure they can work at the level you need them to. You might also consider testing them to confirm this proficiency.

You can also require employees to understand a specific language if needed for safety purposes. For example, if your employees work with dangerous chemicals, you can require that they read and understand instructions and warning labels for safety reasons, but you cannot require that they be fluent beyond that understanding.

However, if you just want someone to speak a specific language because it would "make things easier," then you probably cannot hire for it specifically. You also cannot require an employee to speak a specific language during personal conversations at work, so that you can understand what they are saying.

You can, and should, have different requirements for each position based on what that person needs to do, and then tailor your hiring process to find the right person to meet those needs.

Independent Agent
Best Practices agencies maintain excellent operating and financial results.

ALEXANDRIA, VA, August 12, 2025—Best Practices agencies continue excellent organic growth and profitability, according to the 2025 Best Practices Study by the Big “I” and Reagan Consulting.

The Best Practices Study is the first of a new three-year cycle, examining the firms that newly qualified as a 2025 Best Practices agency. The annual study, conducted jointly in a longstanding partnership between the Big “I” and Reagan Consulting for the past 32 years, provides critical performance benchmarks across agency revenue categories ranging from under $1.25 million to over $100 million.

This year’s study includes two new revenue categories to replace the largest revenue group of over $25 million from previous years. The study now categorizes results for agencies with $25-100 million and for agencies with over $100 million.

Axios
Car insurance rates could rise more by the end of the year with tariffs than without them, a new projection finds. The analysis shows another way that Americans pay for higher tariffs. Virginians' average annual cost of full-coverage car insurance could jump by 5.13% between June and December if tariffs stay in effect, per a new report from insurance-comparison platform Insurify. It'd increase 2.13% otherwise. In raw terms, the average cost for Virginians would be $2,519 with tariffs and $2,447 without them.

On August 5th, Reagan Consulting, in partnership with the Big “I”, will release the Best Practices Study. This marks the 33rd consecutive year that Reagan Consulting has conducted the Best Practices Study, which offers benchmarking data for leading independent insurance brokers across the United States. Notably, for the first time since 2004, a new revenue band has been introduced — firms with more than $100 million in annual revenue. What sets this revenue band apart from the rest? Let’s spotlight three metrics that not only distinguish these firms but reveal a path to elevated performance and lasting success.

 

 

 

www.scc.virginia.gov/
RICHMOND – The State Corporation Commission (SCC) is providing an opportunity for members of the public to view proposed health insurance rates in Virginia’s individual and small group markets, as submitted by insurers for plan year 2026. Also available is information related to the Virginia health insurance market as a whole; key factors in rate changes; and the rate impact or change for identified health insurance products the insurers propose to be offered in the individual and small group markets.

Join us again!
September 18th from 4:30 PM – 6:30 PM
Free Ice Cream and an opportunity to connect with other Insurance Agents!