Employee self-service on the go
POSTED: Wednesday, November 23, 2011 at 08:38 AM PTBY: Michelle Hicks
Tags: Line of Communication, Michelle Hicks
The first generation of employee self-service allowed individuals to enter their time sheets through a company intranet or even use the same web page to select their family’s benefits during open enrollment. As systems have advanced, employees are now able to view their total rewards in 3D graphics, estimate the right investment mix in their [...]
HSAs are driving positive behaviors
POSTED: Thursday, November 17, 2011 at 08:57 AM PTBY: Michelle Hicks
Tags: Line of Communication, Michelle Hicks
Health Savings Accounts, or HSAs, have been around for a while now. Congress created them in 2003 as part of the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act. They are designed to put consumers in control of their health care spending – and savings. Now, a new study confirms the design is working. Consumer behavior [...]
Managing multiple generations effectively
POSTED: Tuesday, November 8, 2011 at 08:10 AM PTBY: Michelle Hicks
Tags: Line of Communication, Michelle Hicks
Employers who want to remain employers of choice for all employees, regardless of age or career-stage, must expand their notions of ideal workers. If managers do not pay close attention to the dynamics in their organization, operating only within their comfort zone, this can lead to misperceptions and a less productive work environment. It’s easy [...]
Employee satisfaction up; job security down
POSTED: Tuesday, October 18, 2011 at 10:41 AM PTBY: Michelle Hicks
Tags: Line of Communication, Michelle Hicks
Watching Wall Street, watching Europe, watching Greece – makes us all feel a bit like we’re watching a picture within a picture within a picture – indefinitely. There is no light at the end of the unstable economic tunnel. This reluctant recovery is keeping all of us, including our work force, on pins and needles. [...]
Will health care reform drive higher costs?
POSTED: Monday, September 12, 2011 at 12:26 PM PTBY: Michelle Hicks
Tags: Line of Communication, Michelle Hicks
A new survey of more than 200 professionals in U.S. health care organizations reveals costs will rise significantly with health care reform. But those surveyed also believe the costs will be balanced with increased access to care. This is because they expect health care reform to drive a renewed focus on organizational efficiencies that will [...]
How to communicate about high-deductible health plans
POSTED: Wednesday, August 31, 2011 at 07:41 AM PTBY: Michelle Hicks
Tags: Line of Communciation, Michelle Hicks
Many companies are trying to find new ways to reduce the cost of health care for both themselves and their employees. One idea is to help employees have more “skin in the game” by implementing high-deductible health plans, coupled with health savings accounts to help pay the higher premium. Any kind of major health plan [...]
How are you handling wage garnishments?
POSTED: Thursday, August 18, 2011 at 08:42 AM PTBY: Michelle Hicks
Tags: Line of Communication, Michelle Hicks
It’s a subject that can be as embarrassing to address for employers as it is for employees –wage garnishments. No employer wants to make involuntary deductions from an employee’s pay, but in today’s tough economic times, HR experts are predicting an increase in garnishment orders and are warning employers to be ready. Wage garnishments are [...]
Is pet insurance in Fluffy’s future?
POSTED: Wednesday, July 20, 2011 at 10:56 AM PTBY: Michelle Hicks
Tags: Line of Communication, Michelle Hicks
They may not qualify under an ERISA plan as an actual dependent, but millions of Americans view their four-legged friends as more than just furry companions – they’re actual family members. And, Americans are spending a fortune to keep them healthy. According to the American Pet Products Association, U.S. pet owners spent $12.8 billion in [...]
The greatest challenge – employee morale
POSTED: Tuesday, July 12, 2011 at 12:49 PM PTBY: Michelle Hicks
Tags: Line of Communication, Michelle Hicks
A recent survey of WorldatWork Conference participants shows employee morale and engagement continues to be the greatest work force challenge. Buck Consultants surveyed attendees at WorldatWork’s Annual Conference in San Diego May 23-25. More than 200 attendees responded to share their perceptions of the impact of the recession on employees. It appears engagement is a [...]
How curbing obesity saves billions
POSTED: Wednesday, June 29, 2011 at 09:58 AM PTBY: Michelle Hicks
Tags: Line of Communication, Michelle Hicks
Cutting the fat, not just in the health care system, but literally among millions of Americans, could save billions of dollars in health care costs, according to McKinsey & Company, a global consulting firm. In a recent article in the McKinsey Quarterly, the firm estimated that if Americans could reduce obesity rates back to 1980 [...]
