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.

Older worker at desk

Financial Strain Puts Retirement Out of Reach for Many American Workers

A recent survey by Willis Towers Watson (WTW) reveals a growing financial strain among U.S. workers, with 88% struggling to meet basic living costs. Nearly half of employees (46%) are extremely worried about essentials such as food, healthcare, housing, and transportation. As a result, 44% of employees report living paycheck to paycheck, and 59% say […]

Making DOL’s Overtime Rule Changes Make Cents

On April 23, 2024, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) issued its highly anticipated final rule that will raise the standard minimum salary level needed for most white-collar exempt employees on July 1, 2024, and then increase it again beginning January 1, 2025. The final rule will also increase the total compensation minimum for highly […]

Ask the Expert: What Time Is Considered Compensable?

Question: What’s considered compensable time during the onboarding process under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)—for example, time completing paperwork before the start date, as well as time reviewing policies and procedures and completing training? Answer: Under the FLSA, employees must be compensated for all working time. Even if the employer didn’t specifically request that […]

17 State Attorney Generals Sue to Stop EEOC’s Final PWFA Regulations

On April 25, 2024, attorneys general from 17 states filed a lawsuit in federal court against the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) seeking to stop the implementation of the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act’s (PWFA) final regulations, which were published on April 19, 2024. The 17 states include Tennessee, Arkansas, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, […]

Doubling Down on Care in Cost-Constrained Times

Human resource decision makers are facing an array of challenges as the strained U.S. macroenvironment increasingly weighs on the financial, physical, and mental health of today’s workforce. Consequently, HR departments must balance an important need to deliver heightened care for their employees while also managing potential cost constraints for their businesses. MetLife’s latest research found […]

How Your Benefits Can Support Your Employees from Stressful “Life Change” Events

It’s been over five decades since the Holmes-Rahe stress scale recognized the impact of life events on a person’s stress level, and the correlation with physical wellness and well-being. Although more recent research has refined the original stress index, it remains uncontroversial that navigating a life event affects every pillar of a person’s well-being (physical, […]

How Leave-Sharing Supports Employees and Builds Workplace Cohesion

Over the past few years, the need for flexible benefits has never been more clear. From a pandemic that overturned many old assumptions about how and where we work to a period of economic uncertainty and volatility today, employees have continually reassessed what they need from employers. This has led HR teams to reconsider how […]

bizcation

Striking the Right Balance: Handling Summer Vacations at Work

With summer upon us, summer vacations are looming. While large companies can handle employee time off relatively easily, smaller firms may struggle. Even large companies with key personnel—or small teams within large organizations—may find it hard to juggle responsibilities to accommodate vacations. While it’s crucial for companies to encourage staff to take time off to […]

Nurturing Employee Well-Being Through Progressive Policies

The modern workplace is changing. More employees value progressive perks like flexible work, and folks will quickly jump ship if they can find remote work that offers the benefits they’re looking for. Many employees expect their employer to offer well-being–related perks. Offering these benefits to boost well-being will improve your productivity and help you build […]

transparency

Ask the Expert: How to Implement Fair, Transparent Compensation Practices

Question: Are there any laws regulating whether managers and supervisors are allowed to know the compensation of the employees they supervise? Answer: There’s currently no law that regulates whether managers and supervisors are allowed to know the compensation of the employees they supervise. Employers may therefore implement policies restricting the sharing of this information. However, […]