Author: bernard

5 biggest challenges facing small business HR staff

Introduction “A competent and trustworthy adviser can be an HR department of one’s best friend,” Jennifer Currence of consultancy OnCore Management explains. Since these single employees are tasked with so many different important duties, “it is difficult to ensure excellence without some help,” she adds. “Because of this, strong and sustained customer service will go […]

Pet insurance popular with millennials who see animals as family

Employers struggling with low retention rates from an increasingly millennial workforce may want to start offering perks and benefits for pets as a creative way to keep employees engaged. Because millennials are not only the fastest-growing population in the workforce, they’re also adopting the most pets. And with many waiting to get married and have […]

When it comes to employee recognition, cash is no longer king

This may come as a surprise, but cash or gift cards are not always the most effective ways of thanking employees for doing a great job, according to the latest research. But this much remains true: The study conducted by O.C. Tanner and Aon Hewitt also finds that recognition programs remain a great way to […]

Majority of workers cannot define copay, deductible

Very soon, thousands of employees across the United States will be choosing their health insurance. That’s scary, because there’s an emerging body of data that shows that most people don’t understand the basics of how health plans work. That knowledge gap may be causing some serious issues: From sick people not going to the doctor, […]

The hidden dangers of ‘Uberizing’ a workforce

Technology is changing how, when and where we work. With these changes come shifting attitudes in how workers view their relationship with employers. The “on-demand” economy purports to bridge this gap, giving workers flexibility to choose when to work and connecting employers with available skilled labor when they need it most. The on-demand model would […]

Avoiding ACA penalties for individuals hired through staffing firms

Applicable large employers often utilize workers from staffing firms, sometimes on a long-term basis. For purposes of the pay or play provisions of the ACA, it’s important for an ALE to determine its obligation to make offers of coverage to these workers. The key factor is whether the staffing firm or the ALE is the […]

Core benefits more important to employee engagement than other perks

At a time when many middle market employers and benefit professionals are looking for ways to get workers engaged, focusing on core benefits such as health insurance and paid time off may boost engagement, suggests new research. The report, released this week by benefits and HR platform Namely, shows that most employees think health benefits […]

Pet insurance benefits market small, but growing

When it comes to rising healthcare costs, the thought of insurance is a must. In fact, it’s the law of the land according to the Affordable Care Act, but what if you have paws? Pet insurance is a small, but growing, voluntary benefit with one in three Fortune 500 companies now offering pet insurance. According […]