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 benefits

Help employees practice self love with benefits

From physical wellness to financial stability, workers feel and perform better when they use impactful employer offerings.

By Lee Hafner

February 13

Chart depicting generational interest in heartbreak leave

Health and wellness

A new addition to PTO: Heartbreak leave

43% of employees said they'd use this type of time off if it was offered, pointing to an opportunity to stand out for employers.

By Lee Hafner

February 11

New leadership: Michael Fiddelke (Target CEO), John Furner (Walmart CEO), and Michele Herlein (Bridgestone West CPO).

Workforce management

New leadership at Target, Walmart and Bridgestone West focus on employee connection

As new leaders take over key roles in the C-suite, it'll be important to establish connections with their workforce, says this executive coach.

By Lee Hafner

February 10

Four people sitting on couch cheering during football game

Employee benefits

Evaluating your PTO playbook: How to avoid mass callouts after the Super Bowl

With millions of employees planning to take next Monday off, organizations should prioritize their defensive coverage policies now.

By Lee Hafner

February 6

Employment and benefit-related legislation

Why Rhode Island’s menopause legislation should motivate employers

The state's mandate for menopause accommodations represents the chance for organizations nationwide to proactively support women in this stage of life.

By Lee Hafner

February 4

Aflac’s Check for Cancer campaign is a call to action for employers

Ahead of World Cancer Day, Aflac's chief administrative officer explains the necessity of communicating preventative cancer screenings to your workforce.

By Lee Hafner

February 3

Workforce management

What leaders can learn from Amazon’s layoff email accident

The incident is a valuable lesson for leaders at every level to show extra care with sensitive communication, and own up to mistakes when they happen.

By Lee Hafner

February 2

Employee benefits

Carrot creates more plan flexibility with fertility benefit options

The addition of a cycle-based plan design allows employers to increase customization of offerings — a growing trend amidst rising healthcare costs.

By Lee Hafner

January 29

Manager Diaries

Wellhub’s CPO calculates the ROI of caring

Livia Martini works to create a culture and benefits that support and instill confidence in employees, leading to better business outcomes.

By Lee Hafner

January 28

Employee benefits

How this leader built a flexible and personalized benefit strategy

TextNow's VP of people and culture shares how empowering employees with offerings has led to better retention and performance.

By Lee Hafner

January 27

Woman sitting on table, looking at tablet with doctor

It’s time to get more intentional about employee healthcare

A veteran benefits consultant shares how steering employees toward high-performing, cost-efficient providers can improve quality of care while lowering expenses.

By Lee Hafner

January 23

Employee benefits

How Country Maid prioritizes PTO for every life stage

The company's CEO and director of HR discuss the offerings and policies that create flexibility and build loyalty and retention.

By Lee Hafner

January 21

Person checking off boxes

Employee benefits

Employees want benefits to be an a la carte experience

Workers want a more active role in choosing how their benefit dollars are spent, according to a study from Alight.

By Lee Hafner

January 16

Trifecta meal delivery service products

Employee benefits

‘Food as medicine’: Meal delivery is covered under HSA and FSA plans

A better diet is becoming easier to maintain with medically-approved meals covered by benefits and delivered to people's doors.

By Lee Hafner

January 15

Pregnant woman, hands on stomach, standing near desk with computer, peaceful

Benefits in Action

A leave solution ensured this new mom — and her work — were covered

When a crucial member of its team went on maternity leave, Anteriad partnered with Mother Cover to bring in temporary talent that kept her work going.

By Lee Hafner

January 14

Older woman looking at computer

Employee benefits

Progyny’s midlife and menopause support goes global

The country and culture-specific aspect of the program allows employees to get customized information and understanding about their health.

By Lee Hafner

January 13

Male doctor speaking with male patient, smiling

Employee benefits

Why chronic health management benefits boost employee retention

Benefits that help employees better manage things like high blood pressure, obesity and diabetes can reduce turnover and absenteeism.

By Lee Hafner

January 8

Manager Diaries

How Payoneer’s CPO makes a diverse workforce feel valued

From teaching in the Peace Corps to running a people division, John Davis has seen the impact of empowering people with the right tech and human support.

By Lee Hafner

January 7

Man paying for medical bill with receptionist at desk

Employee benefits

The risky trend that’s putting secure retirement in danger

Employees at every income level can benefit from offerings that help them set aside savings, without impacting retirement prospects.

By Lee Hafner

January 6

Man looking at empty wallet, money help

Employee benefits

With loan repayment looming, help employees with education support

Experts from tuition.io share strategies for helping employees pay off their debt and seek out upskilling opportunities.

By Lee Hafner

January 2