Benefit management

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.

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

The ruling sets up a split between federal appeals courts that makes it more likely the U.S. Supreme Court will eventually consider the dispute over the ACA requirement for for-profit firms.

Total Rewards program offers employees a comprehensive look at everything that is included in their compensation, aiming to show workers the whole picture, because many only consider their base salary.

Employers should prepare for potential problems by drafting clear policies and thoughtful procedures on bring-your-own-device setups.

A benefits microsite can be a way to break through communications clutter and focus on a singular message.

Ric Edelman, chairman and CEO of Edelman Financial Services, told his Chicago audience that a combination of factors — including a misunderstanding of exponential growth and its effect on compounding interest — have led workers to short-term planning that can be deadly to 401(k)s and other defined contribution plans.

Chief people officer Jeff Perkins says he took HR at NPR to a far more prominent and decision-making position, and that HR professionals always need to leverage opportunities such as new facilities or outgoing senior leadership.

Casinos have the largest percentage of employees on FMLA leave with 49% in a given year, FMLASource reports; they also rank the highest in intermittent leave (58%) and average duration of an intermittent leave (17 days).

Communication of benefits isn't easy. It's one of the reasons we pay tribute to the best of internal communication of benefits every year with the i-COMM Awards. Here's how to enter.

Sixty-six percent of U.S. employers report a bad-fit employee has had a measurable negative impact in a new survey from CareerBuilder. France reported the lowest level of instances, with 53%; Russia was highest with 88%.

While the issue affects only a limited number of employees, it can result in significant costs for companies that have to move workers out of the U.S. or in lost productivity from dealing with an employee’s or partner’s immigration status.

Now in their 22nd year, the Benny Awards recognize excellence in the employee benefits/human resources field. Awards are granted to employee benefit or human resource practitioners directly involved in the management of employee benefit programs.

From old communication tactics – like the ‘porcelain press’ and benefits road shows – to new ones like blogs and social networking, Life Technologies left no medium to chance when it rolled out its full-replacement shift to a consumer-driven health plan.

“Every company lives and dies by the talent it has access to,” says SendHub co-founder Garrett Johnson, who claims he could lose “invaluable” workers once the national supply of H-1B visas runs out.

On the second day of arguments over one of the country’s most polarizing issues, the court’s majority suggested the federal government overstepped its authority with the Defense of Marriage Act, which limits the benefits available to gay couples.

Employment attorney Jonathan Segal told attendees at yesterday’s SHRM legislative event that benefits pros need to show employees their softer, more human side. “Don’t treat employees as plaintiffs waiting to happen,” he said.

Behavioral psychology plays a key role in crafting meaningful and effective employee recognition programs.

As high-deductible health plans become more popular, employers should take special note of gaps in employees’ understanding to make sure the plan is utilized as intended.

The House of Representatives voted late Tuesday night on a Senate-backed plan to avoid the “fiscal cliff” of automatic spending cuts and tax increases. However, 77% of U.S. households will face higher tax rates this year because the deal allowed the payroll tax cut to expire.