Amanda Schiavo

The number of U.S. small businesses has been reduced by 29% in the past year due to the COVID pandemic, according to data from Opportunity Insights.

COVID is exacerbating the caregiving crisis and employees need specialized benefits to provide support.

Employers need to make workplace accommodations and offer financial planning benefits to support this population.

In our latest podcast, one Bank of America employee tells the story of how he adopted his daughter through a specialized family planning benefit.

With 18 million veterans in the workplace, employers need to implement benefits that help them with the transition back to civilian life.

Research from PwC shows there is a disconnect between employers and employees when it comes to what the return to work may look like post-pandemic.

Through the HealthJoy app, First Person’s employer clients will have access to a personalized benefits wallet that will house their insurance, HSA, retirement and other employer provided benefits.

On-demand pay is the future of payroll processing, says Amy Cohen, director of total rewards at Noodles & Company.

The benefit allows employers to make contributions directly to employees' 529 accounts.

Employers should consider adding student loan benefits, if they want to attract potential hires.

“A mission-driven culture, transparent leadership and career opportunities are always hallmarks of Best Places to Work winners,” says Glassdoor CEO Christian Sutherland-Wong.

“This acquisition strengthens our comprehensive data, software and services platform while delivering the innovation that the industry has been waiting for,” Kevin Akeroyd, CEO of PRO Unlimited, said.

Wolverine Worldwide, SAP and Progressive have all added to or expanded their benefits to provide employees with pet-specific programs.

Disney CEO Bob Chapek called the riots “an egregious and inexcusable assault on America’s most revered institution and our democracy.”

“This pandemic has forced HR directors to become cyber-communication specialists to maintain staffing needs and meet new COVID-19 notification requirements,” Kasey Sellers, marketing director of FastCommand, says.

An employee may spend between $700 and $2,000 per year in veterinary bills to care for a healthy pet; pet insurance benefits can help alleviate this burden.

Employees in non-health related professions who are at the highest risk of contracting COVID-19 include teachers and bus drivers.

We have extended our deadline. To nominate a Rising Star please fill out the online form by Feb. 5, 2021.

“The pandemic has laid bare the widening gap between the financially secure and insecure in this country,” says Yanela Frias, president of Prudential Retirement.

Your guide on how employers can best support working parents from Employee Benefit News’ top stories of 2020.