Wellness

The Rise of Gender-Affirmation Health Care Benefits

Anne Patterson
 

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 […]

In a Benefits Plan Far, Far Away

Julie Stich, CEBS
 

Over the past several years, May 4 has skyrocketed in popularity as Star Wars Day—as in, “May the Fourth be with you.” In honor of May the Fourth, we thought it would be fun to continue the rebellion against convention by using Star […]

Family Mental Health: How We Can Adapt and Better Understand Together

Tim Hennessy
 

Social exclusion, the closure of daycare centers and schools, and job insecurity combined to produce conditions at home and in the workplace that have never been seen before the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic has had major effects on […]

Three Ways to Celebrate National Employee Benefits Day Today

Anne Patterson
 

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 […]

Four Benefits That Increase Worker Productivity

Justin Held, CEBS
 

In a recent International Foundation wellness survey, respondents were asked about company culture issues that are impacting workforce productivity. Far and away, the most cited issue was worker stress. Another commonly cited issue was poor work-life balance. Responding organizations are recognizing the […]

Building a Better Work-Life Blend at Your Organization

Anne Patterson
 

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 […]

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

Anne Patterson
 

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 […]

2023 Outlook on Respiratory Illnesses and the Workforce

Jenny Gartman, CEBS
 

At this time of year in cold climates, airborne illnesses (influenza, respiratory syncytial virus and COVID-19) persistently impact families and workplaces. Influenza is a well-known endemic. Endemic means persistent—It will not go away, and it won’t get much worse or better. Influenza […]