Practical HR Tips, News & Advice. Updated Daily.
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.
Does your computer’s spelling function auto-correct “HSA” to “HAS”? Mine used to, not recognizing that this abbreviation is no longer an error, but represents health savings accounts (HSAs), one type of consumer-directed health plan that is fast becoming mainstream in the health benefits industry. Health savings accounts couple a tax-favored savings account that is used […]
Editor’s note: For purposes of this article, we are going to assume you know the basics. If you don’t, read BLR’s previous news coverage here and here. Sponsors of 403(b) plans, we really, really hope that by now you know whether or not you need to file Form 5500 for the 2009 plan year and […]
In yesterday’s Advisor, we looked at the DOL’s increasing focus on compensation issues and defending your system against attack. Today, more on defense, plus an introduction to an extraordinary collection of policies. It’s important to recognize that you need to be able to document an employee’s compensation history, not just their current salary, says consultant […]
Industry experts are saying health reform is helping promote the self-funding of health benefits, particularly among smaller employers, which can allow employers to get more of a say over benefits design and payment and help avoid a few reform obligations. Large insurers are, accordingly, betting on self-funding and seeing opportunity in administrative services only (ASO) […]
Special from World at Work total Rewards Conference In yesterday’s Advisor, author Dan Pink showed how money often isn’t the best motivator. Today, Pink on autonomy and an introduction to the popular Job Description Encyclopedia. Pink, author of popular management books including his latest, Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us, offered examples of […]
Special from World at Work total Rewards Conference Author Dan Pink stunned some comp pros in the audience at World at Work’s annual convention in San Diego when he questioned effectiveness of money as a motivator. Pink, author of popular management books including his latest, Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us, offered examples […]
Premium subsidies for health insurance coverage under the Health Care Tax Credit (HCTC) program may get a boost due to an agreement being negotiated between the White House and Congress. The HCTC program was enacted as part of the Trade Act of 2002. As originally enacted, it provided a 65-percent tax credit for qualifying health […]
Special from World at Work, San Diego In yesterday’s Advisor, we covered three of David Cichelli’s “sticky wickets” for sales compensation pros. Today, sticky wicket number four—end-of-period sales push—plus an introduction to the all-in-one compensation website. Cichelli, who is Sr. Vice President at The Alexander Group, offered his tips at World at Work’s Total Rewards […]
A three-judge panel from the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals just upheld health reform’s controversial mandate that all individuals buy a minimum of health insurance or pay a penalty, saying that individual mandate is a valid exercise of Congress’ authority. This is the first appeals court ruling on such a challenge. … so 1-0 for […]
The kind of information exchange that’s necessary before and during a merger or acquisition can raise thorny HIPAA privacy issues, and federal guidance on the subject is sparse at best — especially for employers and other plan sponsors, Senior Editor David Slaughter writes. In such a transaction between companies that are themselves covered by HIPAA […]