Banco Popular de Puerto Rico

A study released this month from the Pew Research Center indicates that the percentage of American households with minor children that are headed by a single father has hit a record high. With more employees using everything from legal plans to FMLA time to take care of family members, these 2.6 million households (as of 2011) have unique financial needs and demographics of which employers should be aware. Meanwhile, the authors of a report from The Boston College Center for Work & Family called The New Dad: A Work (and Life) in Progress say their work “presents an image of male parents struggling with work-family conflict” in ways employers could definitely help alleviate.

The delay of the ACA's employer mandate threw employers a curve ball, and employees nationwide have also expressed confusion about upcoming changes to their health plans. Plan sponsors can help clear up the confusion this summer with these 10 tips for communicating the Affordable Care Act, courtesy of Anita L. Doncaster, communication sales & strategies leader at Aon Hewitt. [Images: Shutterstock]

Reaction this week to the Obama administration’s announcement that it is delaying the employer mandate portion of the Affordable Care Act, also known as pay-or-play, was swift, with many maintaining the delay provides employers with some much-needed breathing room. [Image: Thinkstock]

While legal experts are cautioning not to be first out of the gate with communication to employees about the Supreme Court’s decision striking down the Defense of Marriage Act, some employers were swift to praise the decision. Here are some employers’ reactions to the landmark ruling.

This summer, enjoy some educational reading while relaxing by the beach or pool. EBN has compiled some must-read books that bring insight to the HR and benefits profession.

ComPsych Corporation reports that Family and Medical Leave Act absences are on the rise, and that some industries are hit disproportionally by absenteeism. Jim Brown, senior vice president of operations at ComPsych, says “there’s been significant changes leading to more utilization” and that employers “need to make sure they have a very solid program … looking for patterns and trends” to make sure leave isn't abused. Here are six industries along with data on their rates of FMLA and intermittent leave.

You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make it drink. Ric Edelman, host of a personal finance talk show and CEO of the financial services company that bears his name, says 401(k)s are excellent savings vehicles, but getting young workers or middle-aged hires into a plan can be surprisingly difficult – particularly if they feel like they can’t afford it. [Images: Shutterstock]

Earlier this week, we brought you part one of Contributing Editor Ed Bray’s 2013 ABCs of employee benefits. Bray is director of employee benefits for a major transportation company in Hawaii. Here, he covers N to Z — everything from nondiscrimination rules to retirement readiness to top-notch employee communications. [Images: Shutterstock]

School may be out for the summer but we know hardworking benefits professionals are always learning. In a special two-part slide show, Contributing Editor Ed Bray offers up his version of the 2013 ABCs of employee benefits. Here, he covers A to M. [Images: Shutterstock]

Companies are expected to offer more international assignments to employees this year, as the world’s workforce continues to expand and disperse to meet the needs of our global economy. More than 70% of companies expect to increase short-term international assignments in 2013, according to Mercer’s Worldwide International Assignments Policies and Practices report. In addition, 55% of companies are looking to increase long-term assignments abroad In a new report, Mobilizing Talent: The Global Mobility Challenge, BDO, an international network of public accounting firms, asked employees which benefits or perks would incentivize them most to take a global position. Here are the top seven incentives for enticing employees to take international assignments. [Images: Shutterstock]