Banco Popular de Puerto Rico

Older workers make up the fastest-growing segment of the workforce; by 2014, it’s estimated 21% of employees will be age 55 and older. In an economy where more seniors are delaying retirement or foregoing it altogether, the need for clarity on navigation of coupling Medicare and employer-based insurance will be paramount. The Medicare Rights Center, in partnership with AgeOptions, recently released a toolkit designed to help older adults navigate the transition from employer-based health insurance to Medicare, and those who are dually covered. The toolkit aims to clearly explain how Medicare coordinates with different kinds of employer-based health insurance. Here are five key points from the extensive guide to help your employees.

It’s that time of year again when employees have trouble making it in to the office — and no, we don’t mean cold and flu season. Some employees, not quite ready to go back to the grind after extended holiday time off, may be looking for some extra time away. According to CareerBuilder, the highest period of employee absenteeism occurs between January and March, with 34% of employers noting that use of sick days peak in the first quarter of the year. Further, 29% of workers cite errands and plans with family and friends among the top reasons for calling in sick when they were well. Starting the year on a light-hearted note, EBN selected a dozen from CareerBuilder’s list of some of the most outrageous excuses employees have used to call in sick. We hope they’ll help you maintain your sense of humor as you endure the absenteeism of the winter months.

As the year draws to a close, EBN has compiled a special slide show reliving the most popular news stories of 2011 that directly affect benefits and HR professionals. Review the past year’s top articles and join us in the New Year as we continue to deliver the industry’s breaking news and regulatory breakdowns that you need to manage your business and benefit plans.

Kaiser Permanente recently launched "Maintain Don't Gain" campaign to help employers' wellness efforts through the holidays, a time when most Americans gain about a pound during the winter season. That extra weight accumulates through the years and may be a major contributor to obesity later in life, according to the National Institute of Health. Part of the KP campaign includes an eight-week guide to help employees avoid winter weight creep. As we approach the peak of the holiday season and the winter months when weather keeps us indoors more frequently, consider sharing these tips with employees to encourage winter wellness.

Spread some holiday cheer around your workplace this season with these creative and thoughtful end-of-year benefits and rewards to celebrate a workforce that has dutifully taken on extra work and stress during trying economic times. Whether it’s giving a small gift or throwing a holiday bash to show your care, employees will be thankful for your support and recognition. When they return to work in the New Year, make sure employees are listing “exercise more” and “eat fewer sweets” as their 2012 resolutions, not “find a new job.”

As 2011 comes to an end, it’s time for employees with health care and dependent care flexible spending accounts to use up their remaining balances before the end of their plan year, when any leftover money is forfeited. Here are eight ways your employees can spend down their FSAs before 2012, courtesy of Save Smart, Spend Healthy.

Ingenuity in business is all about separating from the pack. View some of the more unique ways companies stand out when attracting and retaining top talent. These quirky perks keep employees relaxed (with extended vacations), radiant (free Botox injections) and fulfilled (onsite life coaching).

Since HIV/AIDS was first reported in the U.S. in 1981, employers have struggled to not only keep up with the disease and the accommodations workers might need, but have lost countless numbers of employees who were unable to work due to illness or side effects of treatment. However, in 2007, Integrase Inhibitors were introduced and the one-pill-a-day treatment had dramatically fewer side effects and was usually taken before bed. This meant that for the first time, people could go back to work. Here are some ways companies can support that move back to work.

Medical tourism is the practice of traveling abroad for health care. Globally, it’s a $120 billion business, according to a report from the Economist Intelligence Unit. “The reason an employer might offer medical tourism benefits would be for cost savings or for medical care that’s not available in their region,” says Rudy Rupak, CEO of Planet Hospital, a division of Global Health Voyager, a Web-based medical tourism facilitator. Rupak shares the top five countries outside of the U.S. where employees travel and the most common procedures they have done there.

Women face many challenges in the U.S. private sector workforce—breaking glass ceilings is just one of them. Though women make up 47% of the American workforce, this number dwindles the higher they move up in the ranks. Many women are pushed out because of lack of leadership opportunities or pulled out due to family responsibilities. Here are some ways companies can retain them longer and help them ascend to their fullest potential through benefit changes and in-house initiatives.