View from the top
When I ask him what he wanted to be when he grew up, David Kasiarz, senior vice president of global compensation and benefits at American Express, replies without hesitation, "a pediatrician."
Kelley Butler
Editor-In-Chief and Conference Co-Chair
YouTube video poses important work-life ‘what ifs’
Imagine that your company was hiring for one of its most crucial positions.
From our blog: Plan sponsors don’t understand 401(k) fees either
Whaddaya know? All this time, I thought it was just retirement plan participants who didn't understand the fees they were paying. Turns out, according to a recent Spectrem Group study, plan sponsors don't understand plan fees all that well either – only 45% of plan sponsors fully understand their retirement plan fees, according to the report that evaluated some 600 plan sponsors with assets under management of $10 million to $200 million.
‘Being a benefits professional means …’
In July, I wrote a post on EBN's blog, the Daily Diversion, remarking on the powerful simplicity of haikus and challenging readers to write in similarly simplistic terms what being a benefits professional means to them.
Watch this space: EBN is getting a new look!
Starting with its September 15 issue, Employee Benefit News will look a lot different – inside and out. Everyone here at EBN is very (very) excited to unveil the new look, and thankfully the wait is almost over.
Tide can turn on a tweet
Speaking on the power of technology, Arianna Huffington, editor-in-chief of the Huffington Post quoted "wise sage" Black Eyed Peas front man will.i.am: "People used to consume media at home. Now, they consume media while riding on the back of a horse."
The butterfly effect
It's more than a little-known Ashton Kutcher movie. TharpeRobbins executive Anthony Luciano explains the butterfly effect and how awareness of it can refocus and reshape your company's employee rewards programs.
Take EBA’s PPACA challenge
It's long been said that what you don't know won't hurt you. Whoever said that clearly had no knowledge of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Since its enactment in March 2010, PPACA and its impact on health plans, wellness programs,long-term care and even adoption benefits can definitely harm benefits pros who aren't on top of its provisions.
By
Lynn Gresham
Say what? Survey shows employees willing to take a promotion without a pay raise
According to a new survey, when presented with a promotion, more than half of employees would be willing to say, "Forget the king's ransom; just call me King." The survey, conducted by OfficeTeam, reveals that 55% of workers would accept a promotion that didn't include a pay raise.
Email celebrates 40th birthday: Is it getting better with age?
As I type this, it's not yet noon, but I've already sent 30 emails. So, it seems I have a lot to thank Ray Tomlinson for.
This means war: 75% of employers lost top talent in the last year
Despite the generally slow job market, three out of four organizations lost high-performing employees they did not want to lose during the past year, according to a survey by Right Management.
Twitter mishaps can cost you $28,571 per character
According to a new survey from Symantc Corp., the negative consequences from a social media misstep cost a typical employer $4 million per year. For a 140-character message on Twitter, thats more than $28,000 per character an eye-popping sum that will make HR/benefits professionals want to literally watch employees Ps and Qs on social media sites.
Casting a wide net
Keys to dental plan success lie in contracting with right network, increasing provider population, carriers say.
Federal court rules locking down employees while on sick or medical leave is okay
Restricting an employee's activity while on leave is OK, a federal court ruled recently. I won't argue the points of law in the case, but I don't care if I'm dragging one leg behind me, I should be able to drag it wherever I choose.
Phasing out the five-day workweek
My mother has the day off every other Friday, which I highly envy. She also works nine-hour days for the privilege, which I do not envy.
Putting wellness wisdom on its head
I've never met Danna Korn, but after spending just 25 minutes speaking with her, I believe her company – wellness program vendor Sonic Boom, in Carlsbad, Calif. – is aptly named. Recalling from middle school science that a sonic boom is the thunderous sound created from shock waves when an object is moving faster than the speed of sound, Korn's approach to wellness and her views on traditional programs likely will send shock waves through the industry.
Experts’ comments turn wellness CW on its ear
For the last five years or so, the conventional wisdom on wellness programs is that health risk assessments and biometric screenings are the way to get the best data on employee health status, you have to juice participation by offering incentives, and you have to be prepared to spend a pretty penny to get tangible results.
Employers should model job recruiting after ‘American Idol,’ one blogger says
I've been an avid watcher of "American Idol" since season one – no judgment, please – and although I mostly harken back for seasons past (I greatly miss ex-bully Brit judge Simon Cowell, and my favorite winner is original champ Kelly Clarkson), I'll be watching regardless when the show crowns its 10th winner later this month.
You can’t put a square peg in a round hole
It goes without saying that recession taught everyone some valuable lessons about making every penny count and that the employment and financial landscape likely are forever changed.
Submit a nomination for the 2011 i-COMM Awards
As the saying goes, "April showers bring May flowers." This month, as EBN opens nominations for the 2011 i-COMM Awards, I'd like the April showers to be showers of praise for your best employee communications efforts so that you May receive bouquets of benefits achievement.