Benefit management

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.

Rewards expert Bob Nelson discusses why employers struggle with employee reward and recognition, why old-school strategies like years-of-service awards don’t work and why Generation Y seems to need so much feedback.

Two Midwestern employers, Twin City Pipe Trade Services Association and the Midwest Employee Benefit Funds Coalition offer suggestions for building engaging health fairs for employees

Buck Consultants estimates the average salary increase in 2013 will be 3%, and two-thirds of surveyed companies plan to focus on retention, not hiring.

A Mercer survey suggests that, as employee engagement stalls, work-life balance could be the difference between keeping or losing top talent.

From increasing involvement and understanding of benefits during the open enrollment process to guiding a plan participant through a wellness program, interactive technology is becoming an ever more important and prominent part of the employee benefits communication package.

Dr. Nazneen Razi, the chief HR officer for the parent company of Blue Cross/Blue Shield, says there are common traits among those succeeding in the new global environment.

Romney and Obama’s teams both try to spin the most recent batch of unemployment data, and one index has consumer confidence hitting a five-year high.

The Department of Labor reports that the employment cost index increased by 0.4% in the third quarter, with benefits costs rising by the most since the first half of 2011. Many economists believe spending could soon take a hit if worker pay holds steady.

A Benz Communications survey shows that while employers believe more frequent communication about benefits is desirable, few are achieving this goal.

Aflac releases research showing employees who understand their benefits are more loyal to the organization and more engaged