Is On-the-Job Training the New Graduate Degree?
It’s impossible for educational institutions these days to stay on top of continuing advancements in technology to ensure employees are able to hit the ground running when they land their first jobs.
Tag: 2016
Flexibility Can Help Employees with Mental Health Issues
May is Mental Health Month and a recent FlexJobs survey suggests that flexible work options can help workers manage mental illness and keep them on the job during the difficult life events they may be experiencing.
Employees Suffering Losses from Addiction Lose Their Jobs Last
At the recent #SHRM2018, I attended a session entitled “Addressing Prescription Overuse in the Workplace,” given by Norbert J. Alicea, Executive Vice President with Health Advocate’s EAP+Work/Life Services, and Raffi Terzian, the Senior Vice President of Clinical Operations and Senior Medical Director at Health Advocate. Their session addressed the astounding and alarming impact that addiction […]
Are Employees More Engaged?
A new report finds that global employee engagement levels, which took a slight dip in 2016, jumped back to an all-time high in 2017.
Study: Defined Benefit Plans Funded Ratio Increased Moderately in 2017
Strong market returns and larger-than-expected employer contributions shored up the funded status of the United States’ largest corporate pension plans modestly at the end of 2017, compared with the end of 2016, according to an analysis released January 2 by consulting firm Willis Towers Watson.
CMS Releases 2016 National Health Expenditure Figures
In 2016, overall national health spending increased 4.3% following 5.8% growth in 2015, according to a study by the Office of the Actuary at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Following Affordable Care Act (ACA) coverage expansion and significant retail prescription drug spending growth in 2014 and 2015, says CMS, healthcare spending growth […]
Maine Minimum Wage Increase Set to Take Effect January 1
Changes to the Maine minimum wage law taking effect January 1 mean that the minimum wage for tipped workers will continue to be $5 an hour instead of rising $1 an hour like the minimum wage for workers who don’t receive tips.
HSA Use Grew 23% Between 2016 and 2017, Report Finds
The number of health savings accounts (HSAs) surpassed 21 million, holding about $42.7 billion in assets, according to a research report by Devenir. The investment advisor firm noted that represents a year-over-year increase between June 30, 2016 and June 30, 2017, of 23% for HSA assets and 16% for the accounts.
Multiemployer Pension Plan Funding Nears Peak Since 2008 Crash, Study Says
Multiemployer retirement plans’ funding in the first half of 2017 neared its best position since the market collapse of 2008, according to a new study by the actuarial consulting firm Milliman. But despite an average funded percentage of 81%, these plans still face significant pressures, with many on track to require assistance in the future […]
HSAs Have Become Significant Part of Employer Health Plan Coverage, Says EBRI
Both enrollment in health savings account (HSA)-eligible health plans and the number of HSAs have grown significantly since HSAs first became available in 2004; as a result, HSAs have become a significant part of employment-based health plans, according to an issue brief from the Employee Benefit Research Institute (EBRI).