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Work / Life Issues

Preserve flex, work/life benefits during tough economy

07/03/2008

The stormy economy hasn’t dampened employers’ interests in offering work/life benefits to their employees, says a new study. Even as organizations severely cut contributions to health care, disability programs and pension plans, they continue to offer flexible schedules, child and elder care support, and employee assistance with family and personal problems …

Protect frequent business fliers with travel assistance plan

07/03/2008
Your organization’s frequent business travelers know that political unrest, terrorism and natural disasters increase the risk of trekking to foreign destinations. Calm their fears—and keep them safe—by prearranging for medical care should they fall ill or be injured, legal or financial help in case they’re robbed, or evacuation if there’s a disaster …

Domestic violence victims get help from their employer

07/03/2008
Domestic violence victims who work for Phoenix-based marketing communications firm McMurry Inc. have a place to stay. They get unlimited paid leave and support from their managers, who help check them into a free shelter. If they need lawyers, the company pays for them …

Energy firm workers stay fit with scuba

07/03/2008
Oklahoma City is a long way away from the ocean, but Chesapeake Energy Corp. encourages employees to stay healthy by taking scuba diving lessons. The push is part of the company’s “Living Well” program, which pays employees up to $1,000 a year for improving their health through exercise and education …

Long list of conveniences keeps employees on board

07/03/2008
The HR team at Insomniac Games in Burbank, Calif., constantly surveys employees to learn which benefits they want. The exercise, says HR Director Carrie Dieterle, boosts productivity. One employee favorite: the firm’s $125,000-a-year snack program …

Tailor incentives to encourage most important health behaviors

07/03/2008
Half of large employers use incentives to encourage employees to quit smoking, lose weight or otherwise improve their health, and that number will leap to 74% next year, predicts HR consulting firm Watson Wyatt Worldwide …

Employees reveal 6 most pressing workplace challenges

07/03/2008
BusinessWeek readers have identified their top six workplace challenges: work/life balance, staying “entrepreneurial,” toxic bosses, time management, negotiating bureaucracy and generational tension …

By the Numbers: Faking it: Excuses for arriving late

07/03/2008
Twenty-four percent of employees admit they lie when explaining why they’re late for work. Here are their top excuses…

Don’t let them eat cake: Join HR’s war on fat

07/01/2008

The focus on overweight employees has always been on the extra expense they add to an organization’s health care costs. But the issue also spills over into a productivity problem, according to a recent study. Aggressive wellness efforts can help trim the workforce size—in a good way …

Benefits on a shoestring: 8 tips

07/01/2008

Don’t waste your time and money offering benefits no one cares about. Review all your coverages. Conduct eligibility audits. Those are just some of the tips comp and benefits expert Gary Kushner has for HR pros eager to maximize the value and reduce the costs of the benefits they provide.