Benefits Think Tip of the Day: Five 401(k) fixes
The Wall Street Journal recently published a list of five ways to fix their 401(k). Easy at that, huh? Read it, and then comment on what tips would be on your list.
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Benefits Think Yay or Nay: Does Daschle withdrawal hurt the chances for health care reform?
Wow, what a difference a news cycle makes. In yesterday's EBN inBrief e-newsletter, we featured an item about how optimistic Congressional Democrats were about health care reform.
Benefits Think Interesting — that puts yet another twist in this…
Interesting — that puts yet another twist in this already complex plot. I'm looking forward to see how it ultimately shakes out and what Sec. Napolitano decides.
Benefits Think News You Can Use: Target-date funds falter
Is any retirement vehicle safe? I keep looking, but all I see are returns that are the financial equivalent of auto crash tests where the dummy's body snaps all around then slumps over the wheel. Know what I mean?
Benefits Think Tip of the Day: Make your EAP more than just three letters
An alternately sad and scary article in USA Today shows that even for Americans who are working, the affects of the recession are far-reaching and can't be compartmentalized into separate "work" and "life" boxes.
Benefits Think I heard at a conference last week that employers h…
I heard at a conference last week that employers have to sign a memorandum of understanding to participate in eVerify. Lawyers warned that the MOE allows the government to search some employer info and databases without a warrant.
Benefits Think News You Can Use: E-Verify on hold
E-Verify, a system rule that would require employers to screen workers to ensure their employment eligibility (read: immigration status), has been tabled until May 21 to give new Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano time to review it.
Benefits Think Tip of the Day: Follow seven steps to merger success
Among February's "Five Minutes With …" podcasts is Managing Editor Leah Shepherd´s interview with Len Gray, the head of the America´s M&A consulting business at Mercer. After you read our report on merger musts in this month's EBN, listen to Gray as he offers further tips for handling benefits…
Benefits Think Overheard @: Ackley advises how to take the bite out of bad news
This month, EBN spent "Five Minutes With …" Dennis Ackley, president of Missouri-based Ackley Associates. HR/benefit managers are the unfortunate staffers called upon to deliver the news workers never want to hear. To help companies design communication strategies for delivering bad benefits news, Ackley…
Benefits Think Tip of the Day: Engage, not enrage employees during diversity training
Diversity training generally makes employees apprehensive at best and defensive at worst — a fact that EBN contributor Jarik Conrad concedes. However, he offers several traps for you to avoid in crafting a diversity training program so it can be less scary and more successful.
Benefits Think News You Can Use: Knowledge is power (and satisfaction)
Want your employees to be happier with their benefits? Tell them more about them.
Benefits Think This is long overdue, but I’m not sure it’s going …
This is long overdue, but I'm not sure it's going to make much of a difference. As a society we need to start raising our daughters to ASK for what they want rather than politely waiting for someone to notice them.
Benefits Think Overheard @: Women’s groups respond to Lilly Ledbetter Act signing
Following President Obama's White House ceremony this morning to sign into law the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, representatives of women's groups are voicing their approval. Among them:
Benefits Think News You can Use: Obama signs fair pay law
President Barack Obama this morning signed the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, which, according to the Associated Press, clarifies that the 180-day statute of limitations is extended every time an employer violates the law by issuing a paycheck or engages in other practices that discriminate.
Benefits Think Majority of employees sacrifice retirement for health care benefits
Sunlife Financial Inc., a Toronto based financial services organization, released a retirement poll today finding that 64% of employees would continue working past 67 in order to retain health benefits — a motivator that rose from the sixth most popular reason in August to the third in December when…
Benefits Think Tip of the Day: Remember dependents may need DM, too
As childhood obesity threatens the nation as significantly as adult obesity, two Blues plans have launched obesity disease management programs to help their youngest members get back on a healthy track.
Benefits Think News You Can Use: Hospital utilization down
Good news or bad news? You make the call.
Benefits Think Tip of the Day: Mark your ERISA compliance calendar
Here at EBN, deadlines are sacrosanct; so should it be for retirement plan sponsors. Click here for a 2009 list of ERISA compliance dates/deadlines. As experts predict ERISA lawsuits to rise this year, make sure you cross every T and dot every I.
Benefits Think News You Can Use: Wanted – snake charmers; less than 1 in 10 opt for COBRA
Granted, this is more like "News You Likely Already Knew," but new research from The Commonwealth Fund reveals that COBRA is so expensive that just 9% of eligible workers opts for COBRA coverage after losing insurance due to a layoff or other termination.
Benefits Think Tip of the Day: Close the ‘engagement gap’
With virtually all businesses facing significant challenges, it is even more important for employers to keep employees engaged, focused and productive. A new book released by Towers Perrin, "Closing the Engagement Gap – How Great Companies Unlock Employee Potential for Superior Results," highlights the…