Banco Popular de Puerto Rico

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]

For most employees, busy schedules and mobile technology have blurred the traditional work-life boundaries. Employees who telecommute from a home office full-time or work remotely some of the time personify the changing workplace. Here are five teleworking tips for employers and employees considering remote work schedules from CareerBuilder.com and social media expert Lea Green. Learn more about how work-life balance offerings can fit specific workforce and business needs in the EBN magazine July issue when we spotlight Dow Chemical’s approach to workplace flexibility. [Images: Shutterstock]

Although your company may have a sufficient number of individuals currently in leadership positions, what will your managerial ranks look like in five or seven years? There will always be turnover, expected and unanticipated. That's why it's essential that your company starts building a solid bench of future leaders now. The following plan from Robert Half International will allow you to identify the right candidates for leadership roles and groom them to someday step up and take the reins of your department or company. The world's first and largest specialized staffing firm presented these seven tips for implementing a robust succession plan on CareerBuilder.com. [Images: Shutterstock]

Sixty percent of workers covered by group health insurance are in a self-funded plan, according to statistics from the Kaiser Family Foundation. It’s a percentage that has gradually increased: The percentage of covered workers in a plan that is completely or partially self-funded has grown from 49% in 2000 to 54% in 2005. Shaun Snyder, a health care analyst for a major insurance carrier, outlines 10 things employers should consider before heading down the path to self-insurance. [Images: Shutterstock]