EBN's top 10 articles of 2011
December 27, 2011 1:46 PM
10. Setting self-funding strategy
Self-funding used to be exclusively for big companies that had a solid cushion of assets, plenty of cash flow and a large employee population across which to spread risk.
In the past few years, however, more small and midsize employers are finding that self-funding gives them the flexibility they are looking for in health care benefits for employees. The article continues here.
In the past few years, however, more small and midsize employers are finding that self-funding gives them the flexibility they are looking for in health care benefits for employees. The article continues here.
9. Employers top 10 HR/benefits trouble areas revealed
Well, 8,000 HR/benefits pros cant be wrong, right? Employers Resource Association has released the top 10 topics that send HR managers to call its hotline in droves. The list is based on the more than 8,000 calls the association says the hotline receives each year. Click here to read about the top 10.
8. Employer achieves health accountability with performance reviews
Lincoln Industries feels so strongly about wellness that the company has made it a component of its employees' performance reviews.
Read more about the company's unique dedication to employee wellbeing.
Read more about the company's unique dedication to employee wellbeing.
7. Its okay to stall employees
Everyone wants your employees' attention 24 hours a day. Their inboxes are full of e-mails; their phones and iPads are constantly buzzing with text messages, tweets, Facebook updates and RSS feeds.
One practitioner suggests using the restroom as a place to communicate benefits information.
One practitioner suggests using the restroom as a place to communicate benefits information.
6. Zappos CEO: Company culture boosts bottom line
Before joining Zappos, Chief Executive Tony Hsieh dreaded coming to work at his own company. It wasnt fun to work there anymore because the company culture went completely down the drain, he told the keynote audience at the annual Society for Human Resource Management conference in Las Vegas.
When he began his work at Zappos, he decided to make a change. Eventually, the company's mission evolved from having the greatest selection of shoes online, to providing the best customer service, to having a dynamic and fulfilling company culture. Click here for more advice on creating a positive company culture.
When he began his work at Zappos, he decided to make a change. Eventually, the company's mission evolved from having the greatest selection of shoes online, to providing the best customer service, to having a dynamic and fulfilling company culture. Click here for more advice on creating a positive company culture.
5. IRS issues PPACA guidance on W-2 reporting
The Internal Revenue Service has issued interim guidance to employers on the informational reporting requirements on each employee's annual Form W-2 of the cost of the health insurance coverage they sponsor for employees. Details are found through this article.
4. Legal to deny an employee's vacation request?
If you offer your employees vacation time, you may be wondering whether and when you can deny a vacation request.
To answer this question, you must understand that, while there may be state laws regulating how vacation time accumulates and is compensated, there is no law that requires employers to provide their employees with paid or unpaid time off.
Vacation time is thus generally only subject to the limitations and conditions contained in employment contracts and workplace handbooks.
You maintain the ultimate authority. Find out more here.
To answer this question, you must understand that, while there may be state laws regulating how vacation time accumulates and is compensated, there is no law that requires employers to provide their employees with paid or unpaid time off.
Vacation time is thus generally only subject to the limitations and conditions contained in employment contracts and workplace handbooks.
You maintain the ultimate authority. Find out more here.
3. Debt collection looms large as legal plan issue
In a sign of the times, the 38 independent provider law firms associated with Pre-Paid Legal Services across the United States and four Canadian provinces responded to more than 79,000 requests to handle debt-collection issues in the first half of 2010 accounting for 7% of the 1.1 million overall requests for assistance during that timeframe.
The carrier says lawsuits related to these issues are often used as a tool to frighten consumers. "Were seeing much more of it now than we ever did," according to Michael Fiffk, an attorney with Welch, Gold and Siegel, P.C. Read on here.
The carrier says lawsuits related to these issues are often used as a tool to frighten consumers. "Were seeing much more of it now than we ever did," according to Michael Fiffk, an attorney with Welch, Gold and Siegel, P.C. Read on here.
2. Walgreens speaks out on withdrawal from ESI network
Pharmacy chain Walgreens announced in 2011 it would be leaving the Express Scripts pharmacy provider network. Kermit Crawford, president of Walgreens pharmacy, health and wellness business, sat down with EBN to discuss his companys position.
1. Firing employee for eating hot dogs unjustified
It may be strange to read about a hot dog firing, but the case of Nolan Koewler of Evansville, Ind., is an incredible example of why you need to be clear with all of your employees, and post notices so everyone gets the message.
Because, as a result of failing to do just that, a panel of three judges sitting on the Indiana Court of Appeals determined that Koewler was not justifiably fired from a local Dillard's department store. Now Dillard's unemployment taxes are going to go up. Click here to read the article.
Because, as a result of failing to do just that, a panel of three judges sitting on the Indiana Court of Appeals determined that Koewler was not justifiably fired from a local Dillard's department store. Now Dillard's unemployment taxes are going to go up. Click here to read the article.
