Compensation & Benefits

With health-care costs rising, employers prioritize affordability

09/30/2024

As the cost of health care rises to a record post-pandemic high, nearly half of employers expect that their health-care costs will exceed budget projections this year. In response, employers are focusing on more competitive, cost-effective plan designs to control costs, according to a new survey by the Willis Towers Watson consulting firm.

Smart strategies for surviving this fall’s open enrollment

09/30/2024

Open enrollment for health insurance benefits is an inevitable autumn ritual that can cause great stress for HR and for your employees. It usually comes at the busiest time of the year, when HR pros—along with everyone else—are tending to year-end deadlines. Smooth the process by implementing these strategies.

Reproductive health benefits: A report card on the top 100 companies

09/25/2024

A new report sheds light on the reproductive and maternal health benefits offered by America’s largest employers, which offers insights for companies of all sizes. The report found that major employers now provide family-formation benefits and paid parental leave. Many are also taking innovative approaches to make health coverage more accessible and affordable for workers.

Health, culture and freedom: The new trifecta of job satisfaction

09/25/2024

Gone are the days when a hefty paycheck alone could lure top talent. A recent Bentley-Gallup Business in Society survey reveals a seismic shift in job seekers’ priorities, with flexibility and well-being taking center stage. As the battle for skilled workers intensifies, HR professionals must adapt their strategies to meet these evolving expectations.

The ERC this week: A larger appeals window to dispute claim disallowances

09/24/2024

You now have two years, instead of the typical 30 days, to file an administrative appeal disputing the IRS’ disallowance of your ERC claims. This extension of time responds (sort of) to the National Taxpayer Advocate’s most recent criticism of the IRS’ handling of ERC claims. But weigh your options carefully: The IRS can’t issue a refund beyond this two-year period.

10 low-cost communication tips to start open enrollment right

09/23/2024

With benefits election open-enrollment season looming at organizations across the country, make sure you avoid the mistake too many employers make: plopping a benefits booklet in front of employees and telling them to figure it out. That just doesn’t work anymore. Benefits have become too complex for employees to figure them out on their own. Here are 10 ways you can do a better job of communicating with your employees.

Provide any form of short-term leave? Better cover military leave, too

09/20/2024

The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled that the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act requires employers that provide any form of short-term leave to also grant leave to members of the National Guard and military reserves so they can take time off for training or short deployments. In doing so, the 9th Circuit joined several other federal circuits in finding that USERRA requires employers to provide such leave.

Federal appeals court affirms: Overtime salary test is valid

09/20/2024

Ruling in Mayfield v. DOL, the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals rejected a challenge by a Texas restaurateur who argued that nothing in the Fair Labor Standards Act gave the DOL the authority to base overtime pay on anything except the kind of work employees perform.

“Stolen time” accusation results in $82 million verdict

09/19/2024

When employees don’t log time off into the leave system, employers assume workers are trying to cheat employers. Before you make that accusation, consider whether a supervisor authorized the move.

Survey says: Consider commuter benefits