Employer Strategies

Prolonged unemployment harms physical and mental well-being, traps workers in poverty and increases family stress, according to studies.

“This pandemic has forced HR directors to become cyber-communication specialists to maintain staffing needs and meet new COVID-19 notification requirements,” Kasey Sellers, marketing director of FastCommand, says.

From diversity efforts to greater workplace flexibility, employees have high expectations for what their employer has to offer in the new year.

Papa helps employee caregivers by providing their loved one with companionship and help around the house — even during quarantine.

An employee may spend between $700 and $2,000 per year in veterinary bills to care for a healthy pet; pet insurance benefits can help alleviate this burden.

The acquisition is one of UnitedHealth’s largest and is another step in expanding the company’s health services business under its Optum division. The companies said the combination would help simplify services around medical care to improve health outcomes and lower costs.

Prices will continue to decline until after vaccines make workers feel safe returning to their offices, increasing demand for space.

Employees in non-health related professions who are at the highest risk of contracting COVID-19 include teachers and bus drivers.

Unlike private health insurance, Part D drug plans have no cap on patients’ 5% coinsurance costs once they hit $6,550 in drug spending, which forces patients to rely on financial assistance programs. These arrangements, however, do nothing to reduce drug prices.

With remote work here to stay, FlexJobs released the most in-demand roles for stay-at-home job seekers, in fields like marketing, HR and tech.