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.

Employee on phone

Smart technology can take the sting out of coming into the office

From reserving a desk next to a friend, to scheduling a drycleaning pickup, this corporate building app adds ease to an employee's work day.

By Lee Hafner

October 5

Holding diploma

Benefits in Action

Liberty Mutual dedicated $8.5 million to tuition reimbursement: Here’s how this VP benefited

Liberty Mutual offers up to $9,000 per year towards educational costs.

By Lee Hafner

October 4

Employee benefits

Exclusive research Creating a Better Benefits Experience for All

Today's employees expect their benefits to address an increasing number of challenges. What does that mean for employers? They must rethink what they offer as well as how they communicate about it.

By Lee Hafner

October 2

Employee benefits

4 healthcare myths debunked by theSkimm and Nava Benefits

Business leaders break down healthcare misconceptions at EBN's Benefits at Work conference.

By Lee Hafner

September 28

Employees in hoophouse

Workplace culture

Vodka to veggies: Tito’s distillery brings fresh produce to its employees

A fully functioning farm on the property provides employees with fresh produce on-site and at home.

By Lee Hafner

September 27

Excellence in benefits 2023

Thryv’s Jennifer Sloan is creating career paths for all employees

A focus on developing career paths has helped Jennifer Sloan build a workforce of talented, eager employees at software company Thryv.

By Lee Hafner

September 25

Smiling employees

Employee retention

A blueprint for burnout recovery: How Exos is keeping its staff productive and healthy

A four-day work week was just one piece in a plan to help employees get the rest they need to be their best.

By Lee Hafner

September 22

Excellence in benefits 2023

Guild’s Dominique Schroeder is asking all the right questions about benefits

Spearheading an in-depth survey and listening to employees has helped her understand what they really want from their organization.

By Lee Hafner

September 21

Employees in warehouse

Financial wellness

Prudential’s president of group insurance is focused on helping all employees be financially successful

Yanela Frias has devoted her career to help employees from all walks of life obtain financial security.

By Lee Hafner

September 20

Excellence in benefits 2023

CVS Health’s Brooke Wilson is helping redefine mental health

Human connection created personalization and ease of access for employees seeking to better themselves and the lives of their families.

By Lee Hafner

September 19

Counting money

On International Equal Pay Day, a look at why only 15% of employees think they’re paid fairly

Both employees and employers can make moves to close the compensation gap and improve pay transparency.

By Lee Hafner

September 18

Employees in office

Workplace management

It’s time to revamp performance reviews for older employees

By establishing good working relationships and understanding evolving needs, leaders can get the best from their experienced employees.

By Lee Hafner

September 15

Parent and child at computer

Artificial Intelligence

Is AI the new after school tutor? Tech tools are a low-cost solution to education gaps

As U.S. students lag behind academic benchmarks, AI tools can provide affordable support for parents struggling to get them up to speed.

By Lee Hafner

September 13

Lynee Luque

Excellence in benefits 2023

Nerdwallet’s Lynee Luque is making professional development available to all ‘Nerds’

Lynee Luque is establishing leadership programs that make it possible for all employees to pursue professional growth at NerdWallet.

By Lee Hafner

September 13

Woman with headache

Workplace culture

Sick of being sick: Employer tips for dealing with illness in the office

An empathetic outlook on illness can help retention and keep other workers healthy.

By Lee Hafner

September 11

Online fitness

Employee benefits

Virtual physical therapy may be a key to battling the opioid crisis

A new report by Hinge Health highlights the benefits of digital therapy in treating pain and keeping employees off of opioids.

By Lee Hafner

September 7

Online consultation

Employee benefits

How a second opinion healthcare program is saving employers $36k per employee

A virtual appointment with a medical specialist at the Cleveland Clinic helps patients get the right kind of care.

By Lee Hafner

August 31

Parents with teen

Mental health benefits

Wellthy launches teen helpline to help parents address mental health needs

Connecting families with accessible resources and care can help them stay ahead of their children's mental wellness.

By Lee Hafner

August 23

Budgeting

Missing money: 35% of Gen X has less than $10k in retirement savings

A new survey from Prudential highlights the needs for a strategy change among the next group in line to leave the workforce.

By Lee Hafner

August 22

Employee with laptop

Mental health benefits

A recipe for resilience: How Zendesk is helping employees manage their stress

A well-rounded set of mental wellness offerings and efforts is helping employees maintain a healthier life in and out of work.

By Lee Hafner

August 18