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.

Employees celebrating

Workplace culture

Show the love: Recognition is an essential part of employee experience

By making sure everyone feels seen, employers keep talent and boost satisfaction.

By Lee Hafner

June 22

Unhappy employee

Workplace culture

Prepare for a power shift: Why employers’ return-to-office plans may backfire

Employers should avoid a return-to-work power struggle with their workforce if they want to future-proof their business.

By Lee Hafner

June 20

father holding daughter

Workplace culture

Almost half of working dads say using parental benefits hurts performance reviews

Fathers appreciate employee efforts to support caregiving, but think their careers will suffer if they use them.

By Lee Hafner

June 16

Workplace culture

Check in before employees check out: 4 ways to keep workers engaged

A culture of strong values and employee appreciation can overcome a sense of disconnect.

By Lee Hafner

June 14

Workplace culture

Workplace flexibility means more than a hybrid schedule

There are creative ways for companies to answer the call for more autonomy over work schedules.

By Lee Hafner

June 12

IT support

Future-proof flexible workplaces with a combo of AI and IT

Equipping employees with advanced IT support bolsters productivity and morale.

By Lee Hafner

June 8

Diversity and equality

Employers drastically underestimate the number of LGBTQ employees

A workplace that establishes a foundation of belonging provides employees a place to be their best selves.

By Lee Hafner

June 6

Workplace culture

5 tips for creating a commute-worthy workplace

Mindfully putting together a workspace that blends comfort and function helps to bring employees together.

By Lee Hafner

June 2

Mental health ‘microtraining’ gives employees the skills to be resilient

Giving employees mental health skills training can help them be prepared when challenges come calling.

By Lee Hafner

June 1

Workforce management

Are you listening to employees’ needs? 4 ways to help them feel seen and heard

To create a low-stress, high-engagement workplace, it helps to connect with workers on an individual level.

By Lee Hafner

May 30

4 ways gig workers can protect themselves from scams and lawsuits

For the growing number of gig workers, taking the time to understand how to protect themselves financially can make or break their business.

By Lee Hafner

May 25

Employee benefits

Can predictive tech help treat MSK and eliminate unnecessary surgeries?

Quantum and Sword Health team up to provide innovative options to employees with MSK.

By Lee Hafner

May 24

Working Caregivers 2023

‘There’s a lot of guilt’: The emotional burden of caregiving

Two real-life caregivers share their stories, stresses and support systems as they navigate the journey of providing care to a loved one.

By Lee Hafner

May 24

Working Caregivers 2023

At every stage of caregiving, employees crave more support from their employer

The caregiver crisis is challenging workers' ability to manage stress and productivity. Here's how employers can help.

By Lee Hafner

May 23

Workplace culture

30 days, zero meetings: One company’s experiment with work-life balance

Making the mundane meeting a thing of the past keeps employees happy and productive.

By Lee Hafner

May 22

Employee benefits

Exclusive Research From birth to bereavement: No matter the caregiving stage, employees crave support

The caregiver crisis is challenging workers' ability to manage stress and productivity across their personal and professional lives. Employers can help.

By Lee Hafner

May 22

Employee benefits

5 ways to help parents support their kids’ mental health

When a child needs additional wellness care, employer offerings can be a lifeline.

By Lee Hafner

May 19

Prudential study reveals the connection between physical ailments and depression and anxiety

Through a partnership with mental health platform NeuroFlow, Prudential is helping disability claimants achieve holistic wellness.

By Lee Hafner

May 18

Health and wellness

4 ways to support women’s health at work

Women's Health Awareness week is the perfect time to promote wellness in the workplace.

By Lee Hafner

May 15

Half of employees have lied about the reason for their mental health day

Fewer employees are quitting due to mental health, but job-related stress is at an all-time high.

By Lee Hafner

May 12