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Final mental health parity rules issued Nov. 8 make several changes to the prior, interim version. The exemption for “clinically appropriate standards of care” was eliminated because regulators decided it was confusing and subject to abuse, and the rules’ application to “intermediate” coverage levels was clarified in response to uncertainty about how the interim rules’ […]
In our October Holiday Survey, we asked you about your plans for 2013 and 2014…and you responded! More than 3,000 of you told us how you will handle Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s holidays this year and next. Read on for information about holiday pay, holiday gifts, holiday parties, and more.
Thanks to all 3,804 participants! Here are the detailed survey results. How does your organization measure up? 2013 Holiday Season Thanksgiving When asked which days will be paid holidays for their employees at Thanksgiving in 2013, 95.5% of survey participants indicated that Thanksgiving Day will be a paid holiday. Additionally, 65.1% will provide […]
Audience response systems engage learners in training and provide trainers with instant feedback that they can use to enhance the learning experience, says Ron Smrek, vice president of Sales/Corporate Government with Turning Technologies (www.TurningTechnologies.com). When using an audience response system, trainers can poll learners, for example, about demographic information, their knowledge of a particular topic, […]
BYOD, which stands for "bring your own device," is becoming an increasingly more popular plan in the workplace. It can provide employers an added connection to their workforce, allowing employees to efficiently address important matters quicker than in the past. Allowing access to the employer's network via the employee's own personal devices may result in greater overall efficiency and productivity, fewer electronic devices for the employee to keep track of, and the ability to use the most up-to-date devices and features if they choose.
by Steven L. Brenneman On November 5, both houses of the Illinois General Assembly passed a bill legalizing same-sex marriages. Governor Pat Quinn is expected to sign the bill into law. If he does, it will take effect in June 2014. The new law will affect Illinois employers in several ways. Regarding employee benefits, employers […]
Today the Obama administration released final regulations implementing the Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008 (MHPAEA). The MHPAEA is designed to make sure mental health and substance use disorder benefits offered by health plans are in parity with the medical and surgical benefits the plans offer. The […]
by Susan M. Webman Monday is Veterans Day, so we wanted to take this opportunity to remind you of some of the laws that regulate employing the men and women who have served our country as well as the opportunities that come along with employing veterans. The government’s recent focus on veterans’ employment issues, in […]
November is the perfect time for basic nutrition wellness training because it’s also American Diabetes Month. According to the American Diabetes Association, more than 25 million Americans have diabetes, and more than 75 million have prediabetes and are at risk for developing type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is highly preventable, however, with a nutritious […]
by Tammy Binford The ballot question making changes to New Jersey’s minimum wage was presented to voters in the November 5 election and passed easily, but many business leaders are uneasy about the change. By a 60-40 percent vote, voters passed Public Question 2, which will raise the state’s minimum wage from $7.25 to $8.25 […]