Employer Strategies

Healthy eating habits are part of the well-being equation at The Jackson Laboratory, with an initiative that rewards employees for making healthier food choices at the supermarket.

The benefit often lacks active C-suite support, yet research shows poor oral health can be linked to serious illnesses such as heart disease and diabetes.

For initiatives to be successful, employers should forget about participation and concentrate on engagement, says Brad Cooper, CEO of US Corporate Wellness.

One reason for the shift includes more plan sponsors implementing high-performance networks with more limited provider choices, according to PwC’s Health Research Institute.

‘Favoring’ individual employees is permitted in some cases, but seldom recommended, says HUB’s Dennis Fiszer.

Fair wages and health benefits are a given, but many companies are looking to expand these offerings by giving employees more freedom to choose when and how they get their work done.

The Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation is now using non-stabilized rates to determine qualification for under $15-million exemption

There are situations where the policies may create economic incentives for employees’ spouses to stay out of the workforce, says Zack Pace of consulting firm CBIZ.

Retirement plan design must include participant investment advice, online education and automatic features, says adviser Robert C. Lawton.

Comprehensive wellness plans are now taking a look at oral health needs and forging a stronger connection to overall well-being.