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.

HR Works Podcast: Show Me The Money! The Rising Trend of Pay Transparency

Guest: Lauren Winans, CEO and Principal HR consultant of Next Level Benefits How has the growth and embrace of pay transparency impacted the hiring process in 2024? Does pay transparency offer more to organizations than just checking-box for compliance, and what are the common concerns that accompany pay transparency for HR teams? In this latest […]

Long-Term, Part-Time Employees Become Eligible to Make 401(k) Deferrals

Effective January 2024, long-term, part-time employees will become eligible to contribute pre-tax earnings to 401(k) plans. Read on to learn more. Facts This is a change from current rules which give employers the option to limit plan participation to employees who have completed a year of service (usually the preceding 12 months), working 1,000 hours […]

How Convertible PTO Helps HR Teams Meet the Demand for Flexibility

Companies are still getting used to a new era of work. The persistence of hybrid work has led to a permanent shift in employee expectations about how and where they do their jobs, and HR teams need to be capable of adapting to this new normal. Employees are building their schedules around productivity peaks and […]

4 Employee Benefits to Implement This Year

Benefits can feel like one of the drier topics human resources professionals need to be experts in. After all, health insurance is a maze of complexity, forms, codes, and bills—not exactly a crowd pleaser. But benefits are incredibly important to job seekers. Your employee benefits package shows potential employees that you don’t just see them […]

The Very Real Corporate Impact of Employee Depression

Depression and other mental health issues have long been considered a taboo topic of discussion, both in the workplace and in society more generally. People traditionally have not been very open about their mental health, especially with employers, both for fear of social stigma and being seen as unfit for their job. Attitudes toward mental […]

Severance Payout: Lessons from Texas A&M’s $75 million mistake

Even if you’re not a sports fan, you’ve likely heard of this severance payout received by former A&M football coach, Jimbo Fisher. While you will never deal with this type of buy-out, the saga teaches us a great deal about hiring decisions, employment contracts, and, well, human nature. Jimbo’s the One! The following facts are […]

How to Provide Flexible Forms of Employee Support Like Fertility Benefits

As companies rethink the benefits they offer amid shifting employee demands and expectations since the COVID-19 pandemic, HR teams have to focus on providing more robust and flexible support for their workforces. This means surveying employees to identify their individual needs, exploring non-traditional benefits that provide a competitive edge in hiring and retention, and understanding […]

Navigating ACA Requirements for Small to Medium Businesses

Nationwide, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) has helped businesses bring healthcare to their employees. The ACA Marketplace is an important source of coverage for 2.6 million small and medium business owners, making it crucial for them to understand the correct processes. However, for small to medium business (SMB) owners, navigating the complexities and nuances of […]

Health Plans Must Now Include Gag Clause Prohibition Compliance Attestation

No More Gags The Consolidated Appropriations Act (CAA) of 2021 prohibited “gag clauses” in contracts between insurance plans, insurance issuers, and providers. The law provides that a group health plan can’t enter into an agreement with a healthcare provider, network or association of providers, third-party administrator, or other service provider offering access to a network […]