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

Hot Topic, Color Health streamline access to cancer screening

Quick implementation, customized communication and multiple options for preventative care make the partnership a win-win for Hot Topic and its employees.

By Lee Hafner

November 6

Woman getting information from a booth at event

Open enrollment 2025

4 open enrollment tactics from a benefits veteran

Matt Eurey shares how the right strategy can help employees go from bystanders to informed, active participants in their benefits selection and usage.

By Lee Hafner

November 5

Employee communications

Manager-led games: A benefit that catapults engagement

Getting people involved in communication-based apps and brainstorming activities promotes fun, creativity and connection.

By Lee Hafner

November 4

Woman scared, looking at computer, hands on head

Employee retention

Ghosts, goblins and… RTO? Employees share work fears

Remote.co's recent survey reveals that misunderstood tech, loss of benefits and unhealthy company culture are making workers feel insecure and unhappy.

By Lee Hafner

October 31

Person pouring prescription pills into hand

Employee benefits

How to keep GLP-1s from driving a wedge in your workforce

A new survey from Lifesum exposes fairness concerns about these medications, and the need for a balanced, inclusive approach to health from employers.

By Lee Hafner

October 30

Manager Diaries

Aflac’s chief strategy officer is upgrading the in-person employee experience

Matthew Owenby believes in providing personal and professional support that help future-proof his workforce and the business.

By Lee Hafner

October 29

Two female employees, one showing the other something on computer

Employee benefits

3 free HSA tools to use during and beyond open enrollment

Health e-Commerce's monthly calendar with reminders and links, along with the learning centers and savings calculators, are valuable supplements for benefit communication.

By Lee Hafner

October 28

Employee benefits

ezCater mixes time off, teambuilding to strike balance for staff

Voluntary weeklong collaborations in the home office, four-week sabbaticals and all-company gatherings keep workers connected, energized and engaged.

By Lee Hafner

October 24

Woman stressed, sitting at desk

Benefits can close the gap between financial and mental wellness

Access to resources and a work environment that prioritizes well-being makes workers less stressed and more motivated to perform.

By Lee Hafner

October 23

Man explaining chart to roomful of professionals

Employee retention

Why personalized benefits are crucial to recruitment and retention

Economic uncertainty has hindered pay increases, making valued offerings essential for getting and keeping valuable talent.

By Lee Hafner

October 22

Woman working at a laptop, sitting on couch

Financial wellness

How to close the benefits gap for female workers

More women than men provide benefits for their household, but research shows they are behind in their financial literacy and benefits education.

By Lee Hafner

October 21

Man thinking about what to do with money

Financial wellness

An employee pauses their retirement contributions. Should you intervene?

A financial expert from Vestwell explains how to guide workers through their options, and how to get them back on track.

By Lee Hafner

October 16

Manager Diaries

Lob’s SVP of people embraces remote work and AI in her benefit strategy

Victoria Ashton has put together a solid communication and benefits approach, and is preparing for AI's growing role in the people-leader function.

By Lee Hafner

October 15

Little girl leaning against wall with head in arms

Employee benefits

‘When our kids suffer, we suffer’: The toll of pediatric mental health on working parents

Benefit leaders can help parents get ahead of and support their children's needs with comprehensive pediatric offerings.

By Lee Hafner

October 14

Group of employees sitting at table, collaborating

Employee benefits

Sunny Day Fund helps these nonprofit employees save for emergencies

The CEO of SERCAP talks about why she partnered with the emergency savings platform, and the good it has done for her workforce.

By Lee Hafner

October 14

Mother sitting with sick child in bed

Employee benefits

WIN’s new solution makes pediatric care more accessible

A combination of virtual physical and behavioral health options, as well as caregiver resources, provides quicker access to essential family wellness.

By Lee Hafner

October 9

Two employees discussing, sitting at table with laptops and paperwork

Manager Diaries

Why Benefit Advisors Network is a powerful ally to benefit leaders

The head of BAN shares how benefit leader and broker partnerships create positive impacts for employers and their employees.

By Lee Hafner

October 8

Doctor examining girl's ear

Employee retention

To retain healthcare workers, this company leans on these top benefit strategies

Providing sought-after total rewards and a supportive culture allows MLM Hearing to recruit and retain providers, despite a shortage in this area of healthcare.

By Lee Hafner

October 7

Volunteers picking up trash on beach

Employee retention

Cisco’s volunteer benefit programs build culture and community

The company's social impact efforts have led to over half a million volunteer hours and $33.4 million in donations and gifts.

By Lee Hafner

October 3

Woman holding papers, pressing pen to her cheek, thinking, smiling

Employee benefits

How personality assessments can refine your benefits strategy

Analyzing where people excel, what motivates them and where they struggle can help improve everything from job performance to benefit choices.

By Lee Hafner

October 2