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For many employees, telecommuting and flex-time are highly desired work-life benefits. But a growing number of organizations are reluctant to offer these programs. Demand for these benefits remains high.  One study found that 87% of job applicants are familiar with the idea behind telecommuting and flex-time, and the majority express a desire to have at least periodic access to [...]

Looking for a way to make flex accounts a little more employee friendly? Here’s a strategy that many employers overlook: Many TPAs offer direct deposit as an FSA reimbursement option, rather than sending checks to participating employees. The choice is up to the participant.  One of our readers from New Berlin, NY reports that simply adding this option for [...]

Many folks take a working lunch at their desks once in awhile. We all need to get our work done, right? But evidence suggests that eating at work stations is only a short-term productivity booster and can do more harm than good if it’s a regular habit. One report found that people who routinely eat meals [...]

From Girl Scout cookie drives to workplace birthday clubs, non-work fundraisers have become a part of many company cultures. Should management be concerned? There are no simple answers to this question. Most employers want to encourage a family-friendly company culture, but employee (and supervisor) solicitations often have a way of spinning out of control.  Left unchecked, onsite “selling” can go from a harmless activity to an unwelcomed one [...]

In the battle to  establish wellness programs, many employers overlook the need to address employees’ dependents.   That’s especially true for managing the health of employees’ adolescent children. Most of the attention goes to pre-natal and early childhood care. But a host of serious medical issues typically emerge during teenage years. Physical issues It’s every bit as important for employees’ [...]

What are your employees thinking about doing with their 401(k)s in these difficult economic times? A recent New York Daily News reader poll suggests that most current participants in a 401(k) plan intend to stay the course.  Nearly half (49%) said they’d leave their investments alone and try to ride out the storm. Surprisingly, 21% said [...]

They’re a proven way to show employees the firm invests more in them than they may think. But be careful. The statements can easily backfire – or contain inaccuracies. Here’s how to find and fix two common trouble spots: 1. Avoiding incorrect info Accidental math errors are the most common – and damaging – problem with total comp statements. They’re [...]

Has your organization started a formal smoking cessation program? Even if it’s not in the budget, you can adopt some of the newer employee education techniques used in successful plans. What’s out: Harping on the message that smoking causes lung cancer, emphysema, etc.  Virtually every smoker knows the risks by now. That doesn’t mean you should ignore [...]

Looking for ways to boost morale, productivity and retention? Spot awards may be the way to go.   Spot awards are the most popular recognition incentives among employees, according to one recent Internet survey. The best part: The incentives usually amount to less than 1% of base pay. That makes the incentives attractive to Finance types. And the awards don’t even [...]

How much  is too much to ask employees to contribute toward their own coverage? These benchmarks from the Milliman index and EBRI can shed light on where your firm’s cost-sharing arrangement stands against the national averages: The average yearly total medical cost for a married employee with two dependent children has climbed to all-time high of $14,400 Among firms with [...]