It’s a huge part of the family budget and a significant worry for most heads of households.  Yet, the costs continue to rise with no cessation in sight.  It’s now estimated that an average family will spend nearly $21,000 a year on healthcare, this represents a 6.9% annual increase,...

In a recent survey conducted by the Consumer Federation of America and Unum, a majority of employees desire some form of disability coverage although they don’t have a complete understanding of how disability insurance works.  According to the survey, “ninety percent of respondents think employers should make this insurance...

Like most things, employee benefits has changed drastically in the last decade.  Once considered a “given” and a staple by-product of employment, such benefits can no longer be taken for granted or assumed any longer.  Indeed, many employees make their job decisions based on employee benefits.  That’s how tenuous...

Some may think it’s Obamacare.  However, according to a recent study, it’s the obesity epidemic in this country.  While the federal government, including many Administrations, have tried to address the problem, it’s getting worse each year.  The projection, released Monday, warns that 42% of Americans may end up obese...

If you’ve been in the workplace or owned a business since 2007, the title of this blog post is no surprise.  You’re well aware that the personal financial stresses due to a ravaged economy have taken a toll on the productivity of employees.  However, this Human Resources Executive Online...

Audit is a loaded word that usually conjures up images of government officials invading your space and snooping around looking to catch you in some wrongdoing.  Yet audits, at least human resources audits can provide your company with valuable information that can help you maintain compliance and affect your...

2014 marks the year when employers who employ more than 50 full-time workers must offer them healthcare coverage regardless of pre-existing conditions.  Besides the shift in coverage, employers should be prepared to deal with the following areas of potential exposure in order to ensure compliance with the law, according...

This is an interesting article summarizing the history of employer-based healthcare in this country as well as decent analysis of the current state of this system.  The article is correct that employers generally agree concerning the two main goals of employer-based healthcare:  1)provide quality healthcare for their workers, and...

A bill requiring hospital urgent care centers to post prices for their 50 most frequently provided services was signed into law by Governor Scott last week. If the urgent care center is hospital owned, they must also include notice as to whether the charge for a service at the...

From 2010 to 2011, the number of employees filing wage-and-hour lawsuits across the country climbed by 15%.  This is particularly significant once you consider the tight job market during that period.  Human Resources departments can help your company avoid such lawsuits by paying attention to the following: Due to...