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12 Most bizarre excuses for employee sick days

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.

Benefits Think Congress deals blow to cash-strapped commuters

Although an 11th-hour deal among lawmakers to renew the payroll tax cut prevented millions of Americans from seeing their take-home pay shrink starting Jan. 1, Congress did not renew a provision in the 2009 stimulus law that allowed employees to contribute up to $230 of pay per month in pretax commuter benefits.

EBA’s top 8 articles of 2011

From Vermont’s push toward a single-payer system to the repeal of PPACA’s 1099 provision, here’s a look back at the top articles on eba.benefitnews.com.

The calm before the storm

Living in Florida means not worrying about getting a good parking place when I'm shopping. In fact, the weather is so beautiful in Florida this time of year that I purposefully park far away. It allows the ol' pedometer a chance to click a few extra times as I work off the eggnog consumed over the holidays and also allows me to enjoy a little sun on my face and the sight of palm trees swaying in the breeze. But we all know the weather in Florida isn't always so pleasant. Hurricanes agree with all those Disney tourists that Florida is a favorite place to visit. The most recent one in our area, Wilma, came from the southwest with a vengeance. It slammed us – uprooting trees, knocking down power lines, sending roof tiles as projectile missiles through the air. Then it cleared. And the weather was sunny and calm. And for a short amount of time, all was well. But it was only the eye of the storm – with even more damaging hurricane winds churning behind it.

By Nancy L. Bolton

EBN’s top 10 articles of 2011

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.

5 issues facing the retirement market in 2012

From 401(k) matches to the definition of fiduciary, 2011 was a busy year in the retirement industry. Experts reflect on the biggest developments and what’s ahead for 2012.

Benefits Think Is forced FMLA legal?

Sheesh, as if administering the Family and Medical Leave Act isn’t complicated enough, here’s yet another legal wrinkle to consider.

Low-income workers benefit from 401(k) plans

A new paper from the Center for Retirement Research at Boston College challenges the assumption that the tax deferral advantage offered by 401(k) plans mainly benefits high-income workers, who face higher marginal tax rates.

Andrea Davis
By Andrea Davis
Editor-in-Chief
Employee Benefit News

Pension plans increase use of liability-driven investing

The use of liability-driven investment strategies — where a plan’s assets are matched more closely to its future liabilities — has more than tripled in the past five years, according to a recent survey of pension executives by SEI.

Andrea Davis
By Andrea Davis
Editor-in-Chief
Employee Benefit News

The 5 most important health care stories of 2011 and 2012

2011 was a year full of health care news, with most of it focused around the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. In 2012, there will be some major decisions made by the courts. Here’s a look back and forward at health care news.

Volatility continues to drive pension plan decision making

Many corporate pension plan sponsors face a significant increase in pension contributions and expense in 2012, adversely affecting competitiveness, investment and job growth and possibly creating a further drag on corporate earnings and cash flow. That troubling outlook is the backdrop for the major concerns of 192 senior-level financial executives surveyed by Mercer and CFO Research Services.

Lisa V. Gillespie
By Lisa V. Gillespie
Writer

Take control of your to-do list

Writing down your to-do list and powering through a few easy items before you dive into the deep end can make getting through all the tasks seem more manageable, says Harvard Business Review.

By Reuters

Investors will scream when they see 401(k) fees

The new Department of Labor 401(k) fee disclosure rules that go into effect on April 1 will radically shake up the industry, according to Tom Gonnella, senior vice president of corporate development at Lincoln Trust, who gave six predictions for the defined contribution industry in 2012.

Lee Barney
By Lee Barney
Editor-In-Chief
Money Management Executive

Eight steps to a healthier holiday season

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.

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