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Compensation & Benefits

The states with most stressed and most chill workers

10/07/2024
A study identified which states offer the best and worst working conditions, based on factors like average hourly earnings, working hours, injury rates, unemployment rates, commute times and remote work.

Baseball wildcard series Friday wrap: Federal contractor employees get raises, time is running out for 2023 1040s, disaster relief and more

10/04/2024
Raises for federal contractor employees, 2023 1040 deadline approaching, new CAF number process and more in the first wrap of October.

Ensure layoffs don’t target ‘costly’ workers

09/30/2024
When employers decide to reduce their workforces, it’s often because they need to save money. Laying off highly paid employees is one thing. It’s entirely another matter to target employees with costly medical problems that strain your self-insured health plan. That’s an almost foolproof way to trigger a lawsuit.

Gender wage gap widened for first time in two decades

09/30/2024
According to a recent Census Bureau report, working men earned a median $66,790 in 2023, a 3% change from 2022. Wages for working women increased by half as much.

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.