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.

Pregnant woman typing on laptop

Employee benefits

Virtual doula support can reduce need for C-sections by 60%

A new study by Maven shows the positive health outcomes that come with additional support during and after pregnancy.

By Lee Hafner

December 6

Benefits in Action

This hospital’s financial benefits ensure its staff doesn’t stress about their own medical bills

At Fitzgibbon Hospital in Missouri, a beloved employee benefit helps workers manage medical costs, interest-free.

By Lee Hafner

December 5

Employee having a discussion with manager

Employee retention

10 benefits to push for when a pay raise isn’t on the table

If your company has a tight budget, here are some valuable benefits that supplement your salary.

By Lee Hafner

December 4

Manager and employee talking

Workplace management

Want better performance reviews in 2024? Focus on soft skills first

Communication, problem solving and creativity are just as important as technical skills when reviewing job performance.

By Lee Hafner

November 28

Woman cutting fruit

Health and wellness

Gympass and Lifesum bring hormonal health to employees managing menopause

The new meal plan, developed by Lifesum, aims to help users find a natural way to balance their hormones with nutrition.

By Lee Hafner

November 27

Manager Diaries

From archaeology to HR: This chief people officer built a career based on human understanding

Mission North's chief people officer Gillian Davis has big plans for people who see a future in PR.

By Lee Hafner

November 22

Employees talking

Workplace management

5 steps to crafting a return to office plan employees won’t hate

Leadership expert Shamis Pitts explains how to make changes to the workplace less of a challenge.

By Lee Hafner

November 14

Mom and child

Women at work 2023

3 ways to support moms in the workplace

For employers looking to ease working mothers' burdens, three benefits to consider.

By Lee Hafner

November 10

Shaking hands

Workforce management

From soldier to professor: How Wounded Warriors helped this veteran find his new career

After 27 years in the military, Sven Olson was able to pursue new dreams with the help of his fellow warriors.

By Lee Hafner

November 9

Employee working

Benefits in Action

At JPMorgan, tuition-free education benefits helped this working mom advance her career

JPMorgan Chase feedback analyst Keisha Owens talks about how access to free education has promoted professional and personal growth.

By Lee Hafner

November 8

Employee eating lunch

Employee benefits

The corporate cafeteria is dead: Free, personalized lunch is the new office perk

More choices, less food waste — catering options offer increased inclusivity that is better for a business's budget.

By Lee Hafner

November 6

Employee at desk

Employee benefits

Pet insurance or life insurance? Help employees select the voluntary benefits they need

By capturing employee attention with popular benefits, employers can piggyback communication about the most valuable enhancements for their workforce.

By Lee Hafner

November 2

Helicopter crew and helicopter

When war breaks out, can employers keep a global workforce safe?

In the wake of the Israel-Hamas war, an international security expert urges employers worldwide to revamp emergency planning for a global workforce.

By Lee Hafner

November 1

Job fair

College job fairs go hybrid with smart tech

College-student job site Handshake adds a new app to support employers as they expand their talent pool.

By Lee Hafner

October 26

Employees in meeting

Why the C-suite should stay out of hybrid work scheduling

Using data and employee feedback, companies can set up a schedule that strikes the best balance for their people.

By Lee Hafner

October 24

PWC building

Total health 2023

How Prudential, Walmart, Aflac and PwC support mental health at work

The mission to help employees maintain mental wellness looks different for each, but they share a common goal of creating a strong, happy workforce.

By Lee Hafner

October 20

Working on laptop

For skeptical employees, digital tools are a painless intro to mental health care

Access to mental health care benefits and professionals remains limited. Digital tools can bridge the gap.

By Lee Hafner

October 19

Employee meeting

Employee benefits

5 benefit challenges to tackle this open enrollment

From cost savings to communications, new research spotlights benefits leaders' biggest head-scratchers.

By Lee Hafner

October 17

Telehealth meeting

How to increase utilization of mental health benefits by breaking down access barriers

New data from Spring Health demonstrates how employers can play a more active role in guiding employees to mental health care.

By Lee Hafner

October 12

Professional development

Who’s the smartest CEO? How Bezos, Buffett, Musk and Zuckerberg rank

A new language study by Preply examined dialogue and speech to understand leaders with the most intelligence, emotional intelligence, and more. (Sorry, Elon!)

By Lee Hafner

October 11