Lee Hafner

Lee Hafner

Editor

Connect with Lee

Lee joined the EBN team in 2022, and covers areas including caregiving, employee health and wellness, healthcare innovation, and company culture. She created EBN’s popular Benefits in Action and Manager Diaries series, interviewing top leaders from Walmart, AT&T, Aflac, DoorDash, and EY. Her reporting on EBN’s podcast, Perk Up!, earned the team a regional silver award from the AZBEE Award of Excellence in 2025. She has also interviewed several winners of EBN’s Excellence in Benefits Awards, including top CEOs and CHROs from Hyatt and Hendry Marine Industries.

Her favorite parts of the job are connecting with people who are passionate about providing great benefits and a positive work environment, and writing about strategies and tools that help them do this. Previously, she taught high school and middle school, and worked as a freelance writer in healthcare and advertising. She has a BA in English from George Mason University.

Woman making a list in notebook

Health and wellness

Why employees should start their New Year’s resolutions now

Incorporating positive changes now gives employees the chance to start 2025 off on the right foot.

By Lee Hafner

December 2

Woman working on laptop, talking with someone on screen

Workplace culture

3 vital components of a psychologically safe workplace

Traliant's VP of compliance explains the importance of clear behavior policies, engaging training sessions and accessible channels of communication.

By Lee Hafner

November 27

Woman working at counter at home on computer

Employee benefits

20 companies still offering remote work in 2025

While companies like Amazon and Starbucks are calling employees back to the office, other big organizations are maintaining more flexible work options.

By Lee Hafner

November 26

Woman looking at graph on her computer

Employee retention

How AI makes employee feedback more impactful

Qualtrics' new program is designed to enhance the employee experience and provide summarized, meaningful data for employers.

By Lee Hafner

November 26

Mother and daughter nose to nose sitting next to window

Employee benefits

Adoption benefits are a vital part of family-building support

This National Adoption Awareness Month, employers should make sure their offerings are inclusive.

By Lee Hafner

November 21

Older leader at head of table with laptop talking with group of younger employees

How this company helps leaders make post-career plans

MyNextSeason works with clients to make the most of their time after retirement.

By Lee Hafner

November 21

Woman teaching class of adults, standing at front of seated group

Employee benefits

Why skills-based volunteering is great for employees

Common Impact matches workers' professional skills to the needs of nonprofits, benefiting businesses, their workforces and communities.

By Lee Hafner

November 19

Two employees at car repair

Better Mental Health 2024

Everything about this company’s culture fosters employee mental health

Ron Marhofer Auto Family provides a supportive environment where wellness thrives among its diverse workforce.

By Lee Hafner

November 19

Younger woman and older man sitting on couch looking at laptop together

Employee benefits

How employers can take their caregiving benefits to the next level

November is National Caregivers Month. Now is a good time for employers to increase support for their working caregiver population.

By Lee Hafner

November 14

Woman sitting in job interview smiling

Hiring the right people requires more than just a resume

The CEO of Crunch Fitness shares why he invests so much in the interview process, and why it pays to get personal with candidates.

By Lee Hafner

November 13

Two male employees talking at work

Workplace culture

The case for becoming a recovery-friendly workplace

Mark Bonta has witnessed the effects of substance use disorders on employees. Now he is educating other employers on how to support workers in recovery.

By Lee Hafner

November 12

Workplace culture

Let’s (not) do lunch? ezCater finds employees are skipping out on opportunities to recharge

The chance to fuel up, decompress and connect is lost when workers avoid this traditional midday break.

By Lee Hafner

November 7

Female employee sitting at desk in office smiling, typing on laptop

Professional development

InStride study finds older employees want continuing education

An employee-centric approach must include opportunities for career growth and development for workers of all ages, says InStride's chief strategy and solutions officer.

By Lee Hafner

November 6

Person using phone for banking, money

Financial wellness

FinFit rounds out its financial offerings with Sunny Day Fund partnership

Combining financial credit and loan access with education and emergency savings gives employees comprehensive access to financial wellness.

By Lee Hafner

November 5

Woman sitting reading on tablet with teacup and book

Workplace culture

How to make your employee handbook work smarter

An HR consulting expert shares why and how this resource should be viewed as an outward representation of a company's culture.

By Lee Hafner

November 4

Woman sitting at desk holding glasses rubbing head worried tired

5 ways for employers to manage post-election emotions in the workplace

An expert from NeuroLeadership Institute discusses what to keep in mind as employees process the results of the presidential race.

By Lee Hafner

October 30

Team sitting in office, leader standing, listening

3 ways leaders can strengthen their emotional intelligence

A therapist and executive coach shares her advice for developing better connections with the biggest parts of life.

By Lee Hafner

October 29

Benefits in Action

‘HR in your pocket’: Lumber streamlines recordkeeping for the construction industry

The workforce management platform helps companies with record keeping and rewards good performance.

By Lee Hafner

October 23

Woman holding head; tired

Health and wellness

Millennials are hitting menopause, and it’s impacting the workplace

Experts from Maven and Corporate Synergies discuss how, with the right support, women at this stage of life can be set up for success.

By Lee Hafner

October 22

Man and woman sitting at table with laptop and papers; reading paperwork

Employee benefits

The top 5 benefits, according to each generation

Research found that while benefits like retirement and flexibility are valued by all groups, mental health support and long-term care are more age-specific.

By Lee Hafner

October 17