Anne Patterson, Author at Word on Benefits

The Rise of Gender-Affirmation Health Care Benefits

Anne Patterson

11 May 202311 May 2023

Gender-affirmation health care benefit offerings have been on the rise over the past seven years, according to survey data from the International Foundation. Up from 12 percent in 2016, 30 percent of U.S. employers now offer the benefit. I spoke with Julie […]

Employee Benefits Financial Education Financial Education (U.S.) Financial Wellness

Q&A’s for National Financial Capability Month

Anne Patterson

25 Apr 202325 Apr 2023

For the past several years, the International Foundation has strategically focused on the topic of financial well-being, including how employers can provide financial education to their workers—the goal being, of course, to help ensure the financial and retirement security of workers and […]

Canada Communication Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Employee Benefits Employee Benefits Survey Mental Health National Employee Benefits Day U.S. Vacation Webcast Wellness Work Life Balance

Three Ways to Celebrate National Employee Benefits Day Today

Anne Patterson

06 Apr 202306 Apr 2023

If you’re reading this, you probably work in employee benefits—which means today, National Employee Benefits Day (NEBD), is all about YOU! It’s a day to take a step back, look at the incredible work you do for plan participants, and know your […]

Canada Education Employee Benefits Financial Education Financial Education (Canada) Financial Education (U.S.) Regulatory U.S.

Education Benefits for Recruiting and Building Talent

Anne Patterson

22 Mar 202322 Mar 2023

Could education benefits help your organization recruit and retain talent? Tune into the latest Talking Benefits episode to get “schooled” on the various options available to employers in this area. The episode covers: Give it a listen to find out how your […]

Canada Employee Benefits Flexible Work Options Human Resources (HR) Mental Health National Employee Benefits Day Paid Leave Paid Time Off (PTO) Parental Leave U.S. Vacation Wellness Work Life Balance

Building a Better Work-Life Blend at Your Organization

Anne Patterson

01 Mar 202330 Mar 2023

Work-life balance is an idea that’s been tossed around for decades, and organizations have paid a lot of attention to the term, particularly over the last three years as the line between work and life has blurred. But the term work-life blend may […]

Communication Compliance Diversity and Inclusion Employee Benefits Webcast

The Intersection of DEI in Benefit Plans

Anne Patterson

23 Feb 202310 Mar 2023

As the workforce continues to become more diverse, employers must review their benefit plans regularly to ensure that diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) continue to be represented. In a recent International Foundation webcast, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) in Employee Benefit Plans, […]

Diversity and Inclusion Employee Benefits Employee Benefits Survey Health Care Insurance LGBTQ+ Paid Leave Paid Time Off (PTO) Parental Leave U.S. Wellness Work Life Balance

Fertility Benefits Rapidly Rising as Employers Look to Attract and Support Talent

Anne Patterson

09 Feb 202310 Mar 2023

Fertility and family-forming benefits are top of mind for many organizations as they reevaluate benefit packages for the year ahead. Whether it’s to stay competitive in attracting and retaining key talent; save on health care costs; match benefits to diversity, equity and […]

401(k) Plans Defined Contribution (DC) Plans Employee Benefits Legislative Regulatory Retirement SECURE 2.0 U.S.

SECURE 2.0 Act: A Breakdown of Ten Big Implications for Employers

Anne Patterson

31 Jan 202310 Mar 2023

The SECURE 2.0 Act was included in a 4,155-page omnibus spending bill that passed on December 23 when President Biden signed it into law. We broke down the law in the latest Talking Benefits podcast episode, focusing on major implications for plan […]

Canada Communication Employee Benefits Flexible Work Options Mental Health U.S. Wellness Work Life Balance

Quiet Promotion, Quiet Hiring, Quiet Firing: More Workplace Trends

Anne Patterson

19 Jan 202310 Mar 2023

I wrote a blog about quiet quitting back in August, so my ears perked up when I read about MORE quiet workplace trends: quiet promotion, quiet hiring and quiet firing. It’s really feeling like a library in here. What exactly do these […]

Employee Benefits Employee Benefits Survey Prescription Drugs Wellness

Employers Covering Prescription Drugs for Weight Loss

Anne Patterson

05 Jan 202310 Mar 2023

A healthy reset has been a standard theme entering the new year, but it shouldn’t be the only time of year workplace wellness gets prioritized. What an individual’s weight says about their health status is an evolving discussion. So too is how […]