Category: Benefits and Compensation

This topic provides guidance on how to handle compensation issues in a way that attracts and retains the best talent and advances the strategic goals of your business. You get news and tips on what’s going on nationally and in the states, and updates on changes in regulations, possible governmental action, and emerging compensation trends.

The 9 Compensation Tasks You Must Do

It’s easy to get bogged down in the minutiae of compensation—individual salaries and incentives, red circles, and wage and hour, but it’s critical to spend some time on strategic issues, says “Compbearsation” manager Timothy Tanis, SPHR, GPHR. In today’s Advisor, his Top 9. Compbearsation? That’s right: Tanis is Manager of Compbearsation and HRIS for Build-a-Bear […]

DOL Clarifies End of COBRA Premium Subsidy Period

Keep in mind that some individuals may be eligible for COBRA premium subsidies beyond Aug. 31, 2011, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) noted today in updated material on its website. The updated frequently-asked-question on the end of the subsidy period follows: Q1: I’ve heard that the COBRA Premium Reduction (Subsidy) ends on August 31, 2011, […]

Annual Waiver Requirement for HRAs? No Sweat for Some!

If you offer your employees health reimbursement arrangements (HRAs), you know better than I that the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 (PPACA) increased your administrative duties. But there’s good news, at least for some of you! The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has issued a reminder that HRAs established […]

4 Steps to Thaw Pay Freezes

“I think what we’re going to see is that where there were takeaways or freezes, the money is going to be given back, but not across the board,” says Dorf, who is Managing Director of Compensation Resources, Inc. “Companies are doing it on a much more discrete basis, targeted to those employees who have really […]

Top 10 Must Reads from Compensation Daily Advisor

Flex—’Nice-to-Have’ or Business Imperative?“Flexibility is a business imperative,” says consultant Diane Burrus. It’s not “Nice-to-have,” it’s a results-based business strategy. Her practical tips in today’s Advisor. Catch Me If You Can Compensation? DOL Says ‘I Caught You’Employers can say “Catch me if you can,” but they had better be ready to explain their decisions when […]

Vermont Drops Immediate Demand for Liberty Mutual Data

A quick update on the case involving the state of Vermont’s demand for claims data from Liberty Mutual’s group health plan — the state agreed to drop its immediate demand for this information, pending the ultimate outcome of the lawsuit. The state’s health and insurance agency had issued a subpoena for this data, and Liberty […]

Employer Sues to Block State’s Demand for Health Plan Data

An insurance company recently sued the state of Vermont to block its attempt to get details on the employees and family members enrolled in the company’s group health plan, and the actual claims they’ve submitted. Vermont health care regulators want this information for a database designed to measure and improve the quality of health care […]

Social Media Background Checks—Yes or No?

First of all, what’s the controversy? Con: Checks Are Dangerous   Experts against doing social media background checks say that they are dangerous, for several reasons: In doing these checks, you’re bound to find out information about applicants that you don’t want, such as race, religion, age, etc. Even though it’s obtained innocently, that information […]

Resuscitate COBRA Premium Subsidies to Help Unemployed, Commonwealth Fund Says

In the waning days of the COBRA premium subsidy, The Commonwealth Fund is calling for the program to be resuscitated as a way to help unemployed and uninsured workers until health care reform is fully implemented. In an Aug. 24 issue brief,  the Fund noted that “the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression has […]