Compensation & Benefits

2021’s rapid wage growth likely to surge again in ’23

09/21/2021

Thus far in 2021, wages in the U.S. have grown at the fastest pace in over 20 years. According to the Conference Board business advisory organization, the surge is likely to persist in the near term—and over the next decade as pandemic uncertainties fade and long-range demographic factors come to the fore.

Employer-provided benefits are key to health, resilience

09/21/2021

Employers have a powerful role to play in helping employees achieve healthier lifestyles and the resiliency required to thrive in challenging times, according to a new report by the Mercer consulting firm.

If employee is fired for refusing vaccine, can he still collect unemployment?

09/17/2021

As more employers mandate the vaccine for their workers, some employees are asking an important question: If I’m fired for refusing my company’s vaccine mandate, would I still qualify for unemployment?

Take local predictable scheduling laws seriously

09/16/2021

These days, it’s harder than ever to schedule hourly workers. But before the pandemic hit, scores of cities and towns adopted predictable scheduling laws aimed at letting hourly workers plan their lives around regular schedules. Ignoring those rules may mean big payouts for affected workers.

Got 50 employees but fewer than 100 employees and a vaccination problem? Then beware the ACA

09/16/2021

The Affordable Care Act has specific rules on wellness plans, affordable coverage and free-rider penalties. These demand your immediate attention.

Snapshot: Remote mental health benefits increased in 2020

09/14/2021

According to the Society for Human Resource Management, employers responded to the pandemic by adding wellness benefits employees can access remotely.

FSAs, HSAs, HRAs: Decoding the alphabet soup of group health plan add-on accounts

08/26/2021

Almost all health plans offer add-on accounts—health flexible spending accounts, health savings accounts or health reimbursement accounts. You need to know how these accounts differ so you can communicate about them to employees. Here are the basics.

Pay some teleworkers less based on location?

08/26/2021

It may be time to rethink how much you pay remote employees. Some large employers already have. If you are considering adjusting your compensation strategy for remote employees, expect backlash. Two tactics will make it easier to weather the criticism.

Welcome to our three-hurricane Friday wrap

08/20/2021

Let’s talk FIRE system improvements, new employer guidance from OSHA, new per diem rates and more.

Cost of diverting prevailing wages: $20 million

08/19/2021

A Pennsylvania construction contractor pleaded guilty earlier this month in what is thought to be the largest criminal prevailing-wage theft case in U.S. history. The cost for short-changing employees who worked on state paving contracts: $20 million.