Compensation & Benefits

Health costs flat despite (or because of) pandemic

12/15/2020

Large employers encountered a paradox among the financial ruins of the coronavirus pandemic: Their health care costs rose just 1.9% in 2020, the lowest increase since 1997.

Coronavirus drives shift in employer-provided benefits

12/15/2020

The past year saw a significant increase in employer-offered telemedicine, paid and unpaid caregiver leave, tuition discounts and hazard pay, according to the WorldatWork association.

Identify pay disparities, correct them now

12/10/2020

Here’s a reminder that employers should proactively revise their pay practices with an eye toward ending pay disparities. The fact is, agencies such as the EEOC are going all out to make sure women are paid as much as men, even if the differences are small or don’t last long.

Hazard pay is back—and so are its risks

12/10/2020

Covid-19 cases are spiking again and employers are again beginning to offer hazard pay. In some cases, workers are demanding even higher pay and greater safety protections than before. How employers respond and structure round two of hazard pay may have lasting impact on operations.

Jeff Bezos: Call it work/life harmony

12/09/2020

I know if I am energized at work, happy at work, feeling like I’m adding value, part of a team, whatever energizes you, that makes me better at home. Likewise, if I’m happy at home, it makes me a better employee, a better boss.

Employers look to add value to retirement plans

12/08/2020

Employers are eyeing a variety of new retirement plan features to enhance employees’ overall financial wellbeing, according to a new survey by Willis Towers Watson.

A shot in the arm is worth two questions, at least

12/02/2020

Can you require employees to get vaccinated? And must your group health plan cover the expense cost-free to employees?

More bonuses this year, but probably worth less

12/01/2020

Eighty-one percent of employers reported they would offer at least some employees a bonus or holiday gift this year.

DOL: Include covid hazard pay when determining overtime rate

12/01/2020

Employers must factor coronavirus-related hazard pay into an employee’s regular rate of pay when calculating how much to pay for overtime hours.

JPMorgan Chase to pay $9.8 mil for pay bias

11/25/2020

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs has been at the forefront of confronting pay disparities between men and women. Lately the OFCCP has been on a roll.