Posts Tagged Benefits
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CFOs Reaffirm Value of Employer-Provided Health Coverage
Attracting and retaining a skilled workforce is the most important consideration among U.S. chief financial officers (CFOs) in weighing whether to continue offering employee health coverage, according to a survey by the Integrated Benefits Institute (IBI). Regardless of the outcome of the U.S. Supreme Court ruling over the…
May 11, 2012
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What Level of Impact Fits Your Wellness Plan?
Most health benefit plans include some kind of wellness program. As costs rise, plan administrators hope that their wellness programs will help stem and reduce rising health plan costs. Plan administrators might harbor over-optimistic expectations of what a wellness initiative can deliver, however. We can rank approaches to wellness as…
May 9, 2012
| in Workforce
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Analyze Compensation Programs to Reveal Business Risks
Compensation governance in the U.S. is drawing increased scrutiny as legislators, regulators, shareholders and the news media focus on how—and how much—companies pay employees in general and executives in particular. The attention has been heightened by recent headlines and media stories on perceived abuses in…
May 2, 2012
| in Trends
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Pensions Are a Big Draw for Young Workers
The percentage of America’s young workers who say that a retirement program is an important factor in joining or staying with an employer jumped sharply in the past two years, according to a survey by consultancy Towers Watson. This was especially true when the employer offered a defined…
April 30, 2012
| in Trends
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Employees’ Financial Concerns Escalate
Despite improvements in the U.S. economy, the hangover effect from the 2008-09 recession and slow economic growth continue to erode employees’ retirement confidence and overall financial wellness, according to the PricewaterhouseCoopers 2012 Financial Wellness Survey. Employees’ financial stress remains high: Overall, 61 percent of employees find dealing with their…
April 26, 2012
| in Trends
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Employers Offering Paid Time Off for Special Circumstances
Some U.S. companies are offering additional paid time off for special circumstances, which might help employees maintain their work/life balance, according to Compdata Surveys' Benefits USA 2011/2012 report. “Emphasis on creating a work/life balance has been an increasingly important issue for employees for several years,” said…
April 23, 2012
| in Trends
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Study Highlights Best Practices in Workplace Elder Care Programs
“We know caregiving is associated with loss of retention, reduced productivity and higher stress,” said Drew Holzapfel, director of global commercial development at Pfizer Inc. This impacts caregivers’ wages, Social Security and pension benefits over the course of their career at a time when they need to…
April 16, 2012
| in Trends
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State Insurance Exchanges: What Employers Need to Know
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) requires that each state establish a health insurance exchange for individuals and small businesses by 2014, or the federal government will establish one for them. Exchanges will essentially function as a health insurance marketplace for individuals and small businesses. For 2014 and 2015, states can…
April 13, 2012
| in Workplace
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Benefits for Older Workers
The joke at retirement parties at Stanley Consultants is "See you on Monday." About 60 percent of the Muscatine, Iowa, company's retirees do, in fact, head back into work—as special project leaders or contract workers, or in a part-time capacity. The engineering company, with 850 employees in the United…
March 27, 2012
| in Workforce
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Health Care Benefits Changes on the Horizon
Although the rate of health care cost increases, in the U.S. it is expected to remain stable in 2012. U.S. employers are taking more aggressive steps to manage their rising costs and improve employee health, according to the 2012 Employer Survey on Purchasing Value in Health Care by…
March 26, 2012
| in Public Policy
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What Does Your Culture of Health Look Like?
Over the past year, I have been researching how companies are approaching wellness as we dive head first in the age of mobile. I’ve even written about it here. We’ve heard for years that the definition to insanity is “doing the same thing over and…
March 22, 2012 | in Trends
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HHS Issues Final Rule for State-Run Health Exchanges
On March 12, 2012, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) published a final rule outlining a framework for state-run health care exchanges under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA). The exchanges are intended to offer private health insurance options that meet government standards and to coordinate…
March 20, 2012
| in Public Policy
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Many Forks in Road Ahead for Health Care Reform
Implementing the requirements of the sweeping health care reform law means moving forward in the face of uncertainty, according to Amy Bergner, a partner with HR consultancy Mercer, speaking at the 2012 Society for Human Resource Management Employment Law & Legislative Conference held March 4-7 in Washington, D.C. The two…
March 16, 2012
| in Public Policy
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Employers Contribute Less, Employees More, to Health Accounts
Enrollment in health savings accounts (HSAs) and health reimbursement arrangements (HRAs) continues to grow, but contribution patterns to these account-based health plans are changing, according to a February 2012 report from the not-for-profit Employee Benefit Research Institute (EBRI). Collectively, HSAs and HRAs are known as consumer-driven health plans (CDHPs). HSAs can…
February 24, 2012
| in Workplace
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Fewer Companies Offer CEOs Perks and Incentives
A steady cutback in nonperformance-based pay components Executive compensation packages in the U.S. are being dissected under a microscope as companies find it more difficult to offer perquisites and incentives without facing backlash from the public, according to Compdata Surveys'Executive Compensation 2011/2012 report. …
February 17, 2012
| in Trends
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Retiree Health Benefits Continue Their Slow Decline
Among U.S. employers, 21.9 percent offered supplemental retiree health coverage to retired employees in 2011—a slight dip from 22.9 percent reported in 2006, according to Compdata Surveys' Benefits USA 2011/2012 report. On average, employees were required to work 12 years for their employer to qualify to receive supplemental health benefits at retirement,…
February 10, 2012
| in Workforce
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Employee Job Satisfaction and Engagement Survey Report
This research report provides comprehensive information about factors important to overall employee job satisfaction and engagement. More than 20 aspects of employee job satisfaction, including career development, relationship with management, compensation and benefits, and work environment are examined. New this year, the survey was expanded to include multiple aspects of employee…
January 19, 2012
| in Workforce
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Save Your Staff, Improve Your Business
After four years of financial struggles and layoffs at Rosemont Center Inc., annual employee turnover had soared from 41 percent to 72 percent. Our Columbus, Ohio, mental health and social services agency bled with each loss of a dedicated staffer. Board members reluctantly acknowledged the hemorrhaging in terms of quality of service…
January 12, 2012
| in Workforce
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Survey: FLSA Inhibits Workplace Flexibility Policies
The Fair Labor Standards Act’s (FLSA) anomalous and vague requirements are forcing employers to impose precautionary workplace policies that are overly restrictive and out of step with modern work habits, according to a Nov. 3, 2011, report based on a survey conducted by the HR Policy Association. The survey, to…
November 23, 2011
| in Workplace
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Avoiding the Boomer Drain
Like most developed countries, the U.S. faces a major demographic challenge. This year, the oldest of nearly 80 million baby boomers turn 65. According to the Pew Research Center, about 10,000 Americans reach that milestone every day. Most organizations can’t afford to suddenly lose such a reservoir of work experience…
November 18, 2011 | in Workforce
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U.S. Employers Urged to Embrace Veterans; Report Details Innovative Ways
Employers need to step up and rally around the nation’s military community by enhancing efforts to attract, recruit, support and retain veterans and their families in a proactive manner so all can better meet their responsibilities at home and at work. That was the message that Col. David…
November 16, 2011
| in Workforce
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The Key to Happiness: What Researchers Say
What makes people happy? Many people, including HR professionals, spend their lives trying to find the answer. But their brains play tricks on them when they try to imagine what the future holds, said Harvard University psychology professor Dan Gilbert, who gave the closing address Nov. 10, 2011, at the Work-Life Focus: 2012…
November 15, 2011
| in Workforce
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GE Capitalizes on Vets’ Strengths
NEW ORLEANS—General Electric’s Junior Officer Leadership Program (JOLP) is a tool for attracting and integrating one of the largest overlooked sources of talent—military service professionals transitioning into civilian careers, according to Susan Schieren. Schieren, program manager of JOLP at General Electric (GE) and a…
November 9, 2011
| in Workforce
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CFOs Take on HR
Senior finance leaders have long taken special interest in human resources, given that compensation and benefits constitute a large portion of any organization’s expenses. But according to a recent study, American chief financial officers (CFOs) might be ratcheting up their oversight of HR because of the tough economy…
October 4, 2011
| in Workplace
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Job Security, Company Stability Are Most Important, Generations Agree
Despite the often-cited differences among today’s multigenerational workforce, they agree on one thing: working for a stable company and job security are the two most important aspects of the work environment, according to Workplace Redefined: Shifting Generational Attitudes During Economic Change. The findings, released July 2010, are…
September 15, 2011
| in Workplace
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‘Best Companies’ Take Collaborative Approach to Benefits
Over the past decade, the "best" U.S. companies have adapted their benefits offerings to meet changing employee needs, according to The Principal Financial Group's annual 10 Best Companies for Employee Financial Security competition. The program honors growing companies (with five to 1,000 employees) for their commitment to outstanding benefits. The 2011…
September 9, 2011
| in Workplace
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Large U.S. Employers Revamping Health Benefits for 2012
With the cost of employee health care benefits expected to increase in 2012 at more than twice the rate of inflation, large U.S. employers are planning to have workers share more of the cost, according to a survey by the National Business Group on Health, a nonprofit association of 329 mostly…
September 9, 2011
| in Workplace
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Work Is More Than Paycheck, Benefits to Most Americans
Workers might daydream about winning the big lottery and spending the rest of their lives on a tropical island or fishing in a mountain stream, but most Americans have a strong work ethic and derive satisfaction from what they do. Nearly two-thirds of 742 full-time U.S. workers “live to…
September 8, 2011
| in Workplace
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A Labor Day Salute To Impact-Makers
The end of summer, start of the school year, beginning of the football season and the celebration of employees everywhere—it all says September and Labor Day. If you observe its historical origins, this month would be marked by “a picnic, an abundance of cigars, and lager beer…
September 5, 2011 | in Workforce
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Benefits, Advancement Key to Worker Happiness, Report Says
An analysis of employee reviews for more than 250,000 large U.S. organizations reveals that a comprehensive benefit mix, opportunities for career advancement and work/life accommodation are top factors in workers' happiness, outpacing even salary. The 2011 analysis was conducted by CareerBliss, a career development website and online community. The analysis…
August 30, 2011
| in Workplace
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Incentive Plan or Retention Tool?
Swedish firm H&M gives employees 4 million shares The founding family of the Swedish clothing giant H&M announced plans to show appreciation to more than 76,000 employees worldwide by donating 4 million shares in the company, worth about 1 billion kronor ($137 million U.S.), to…
August 17, 2011
| in Workplace
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2011 Employee Benefits Research Report
SHRM’s 2011 Employee Benefits research report, sponsored by Colonial Life, provides comprehensive information about the types of benefits U.S. employers offer to their employees. In 2011, 284 benefits were explored, covering the areas of health care and welfare benefits, preventive health and wellness benefits, retirement savings and planning benefits, financial…
August 2, 2011
| in Public Policy
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Innovation, Creative Cultures and Talent
From shortened workweeks, massages, unlimited sushi, to ball pits, spaceships, and dinosaurs – companies are looking to innovative ways to attract and retain top talent. Met Life’s 2010 study of Employee Benefits Trends reveals for companies of all sizes, one in three employees may become a…
July 25, 2011 | in Workforce
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Survey: Recruiters Expect Increase in Tech Talent Poaching
Companies are aware of it, they’re afraid of it, and they’re scrambling to figure out what to do about the poaching of their top technology workers. Talent poaching occurs when one company snags a rival’s top staffers with the lure of higher salaries, better…
July 21, 2011
| in Workforce
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With Benefits Cuts, Business Looks for Ways to Compete
A new survey we released today at the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) 63rd Annual Conference & Exposition in Las Vegas shows that 77 percent of human resource professionals said the poor economy has negatively impacted employee benefits. But this survey of 600 HR professionals that examines nearly 300 benefits – SHRM…
June 26, 2011 | in Workplace
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Work-Family Support Programs as a Strategic Human Resource Initiative: SHRM Foundation Research
Work-Family Support Programs as a Strategic Human Resource Initiative: A Meta-Analysis of Effects on Organizational Outcomes Funded: November 2008 Completed: September 2010 Wendy J. Casper, Ph.D., University of Texas at Arlington Marcus M. Butts, Ph.D., University of Texas at Arlington Executive Summary Is…
May 19, 2011
| in Workforce
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Employers Can Control Some Fatigue Factors
From the manager who fell asleep in the office while working with a new employee, to the sous chef who dozed off whenever he sat down in front of a computer to complete paperwork, to the call center employee caught snoozing at his desk, American workers are a sleep-deprived lot. …
May 13, 2011
| in Workforce
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Majority of Americans Report to Work When Sick
So much for keeping your germs to yourself. Most respondents to a recent CareerBuilder survey—72 percent—said they typically go to work when they are sick. Whether their bosses or workplace culture pressure them to report to the office when they are ill, or if they’re…
May 13, 2011
| in Workplace
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Nonparents Want Work/Life Balance Too
Working parents and nonparents share similar opinions about work/life balance, according to the latest Adecco USA Workplace Insights survey, released June 9, 2008. But when asked if they have the same level of access to work/life benefits as their colleagues, only 44 percent of nonparents said they did, compared…
April 29, 2011
| in Workforce
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Caregivers in the ‘Sandwich Generation’ Face Double Worries
Being a member of the of the working “sandwich generation”—those raising children and serving as a caregiver for older relatives—comes with a steep emotional and financial price tag. New findings from MetLife’s 8th Annual MetLife Study of Employee Benefits Trends study quantify…
April 29, 2011
| in Workforce
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Turning Stress into Strength
In an American Psychological Association survey conducted last summer, nearly 75 percent of respondents said they were stressed to unhealthy levels. More than 3,000 adults and young people were polled by Harris Interactive for the association’s 2010 Stress in America survey. Respondents’ top concerns were money, work and the economy. …
March 15, 2011
| in Workforce
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Employers Grapple with Stressed-Out Workforce
Employers are asking more questions about how to handle stressed-out workers, according to Peter Petesch, an attorney with Littler Mendelson in Washington, D.C. American workers are stressed out on the job as a result of money worries, workplace concerns and worries about the economy, according to a November 2010 American…
March 15, 2011
| in Workforce
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Eleven Initiatives for 2011
As the new year dawns, most economists predict better times on the way. This is great news for employers eager to get back on the road to prosperity. But for HR professionals, the turnaround will be tempered with daunting challenges. HR departments have “been decimated by staffing cuts and…
March 4, 2011
| in Trends
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Taking Time Off to the Bank
On the surface, a paid-time-off arrangement for granting leave may seem like a windfall just for employees: If they’ve accrued the time, they can take it without having to explain whether it’s a sick day or a vacation day. It’s the employee’s…
January 19, 2011
| in Workplace
