Welcome to our first Talking Benefits episode of 2021! My fellow “pod squad” members Justin Held, Julie Stich and I engaged in more COVID-19 chatter during the most recent podcast episode. In this discussion, we focused on four main areas. 1. Benefits […]
As they consider how to retransition back to an in-office environment, employers want to keep COVID-19 out of the workplace. In part one of our series on this subject, we discussed the issue of employers mandating the coronavirus vaccine or encouraging vaccination. […]
When we rang in the New Year, there was a palpable sense of relief that 2020 was behind us. Then came the realization that, from a remote work standpoint at least, not much has changed in early 2021. In fact, research shows […]
As we enter 2021, employers have found it necessary to examine their benefit offerings in order to make decisions that best support their workforce while ensuring the long-term success of their organization. A report released today by the International Foundation finds that […]
Employers want to keep COVID-19 out of the workplace. As vaccines start to become available to employees, employers must plan their strategy for how to handle vaccinations. The Q&As below provide guidance for employers around the COVID-19 vaccine. Before taking any action, […]
As we head into winter, many employees are getting antsy as they work daily from their kitchen tables. Requests are starting to come in, leaving benefits and HR pros asking questions like “You want to work from WHERE?” From escaping the cold […]
As employers have been forced to cut costs due to the pandemic, some have decided to offer early retirement packages in an effort to avoid laying off employees. Early retirement packages may allow those closer to retirement age to leave the organization […]
COVID-19 has had the dramatic effect of launching many of us into a remote work environment virtually overnight. But as the pandemic drags on (and on), it can be hard to stay motivated and productive. At our recent Canadian Employer Outlook virtual […]
The changes to the health care system brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic are creating a new set of risks and opportunities for health care purchasers and plan sponsors, some of which are not yet fully known. In their article “Charting a […]
[An update on temporary guidance for DCAPs can be found here: Finally—Additional Relief for Dependent Care Assistance Programs Due to COVID-19, 1/21/21] In March and April, as states first began releasing their “shelter-in-place” orders, plan sponsors had to deal with questions about […]
