Employer Strategies

The U.S. Department of Labor has provided guidance on Family and Medical Leave Act protections for same-sex couples. The guidance follows the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to strike down Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act, which fundamentally changed how the federal government treats same-sex marriages.

Despite the modest increase “rising health care costs remain a serious concern for U.S. employers,” said Helen Darling, the group’s president and CEO.

In this Q&A with EBN, author Edward Gordon puts the problem in stark relief and outlines the steps employers need to take to keep themselves and America competitive.

The number of Fortune 500 companies offering health care benefits to same-sex partners has surged in a decade, to about 62% last year from 34% in 2002, according to the Washington-based Human Rights Campaign.

More than a third of survey respondents plan to make a change to their HR structure before the end of 2014. Towers Watson says that among those organizations planning change, 74% say it’s to improve operational efficiencies.

A new poll shows a large gap between the amount of life insurance necessary and what consumers think they have.

The bill passed Monday would require pharmacies to notify doctors and sometimes patients when a cheaper biosimilar drug is substituted for a brand-name medicine. It also would forbid a pharmacist from substituting the biosimilar drug if the physician says no.

Only 9% of companies, meanwhile, indicate they are very prepared to implement required changes to their business based on the health care reform law at this time.

Three behaviors stand in the way of positive outcomes.

We talk with our 2013 winner about global benefits administration and what makes the HR calling so special.