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.
A study by The Conference Board states that more than one-third (34 percent) of all adult Americans now fit the definition of “obese,” more than double the percentage who were in that category 30 years ago. And your employees’ expanding waistlines have serious consequences both for their health and for your organization’s bottom line: Obese […]
Negative staffing and salary actions will decrease in 2013, says a recent Compensation Resources, Inc. survey. Neelman is a principal and senior consultant with the firm, which is located in Upper Saddle River, New Jersey. Salary Action Outlook Strategy Change (up or down) from 2012 to 2013 (Projected) Layoffs ↓ Hiring Freezes ↓ Staffing Increases […]
[Go here for sins 1 to 4 and a bonus sin] Sin 5. Envy Envy makes managers do things that aren’t appropriate for the company. For example: Empire building. Trying to add more positions that aren’t important for the company to achieve its goals. Copycatting. The other department head has a French-speaking assistant; I want […]
Sin 1. Lust Sexual harassment continues to be a problem in the workplace. And it’s often worse when it’s a manager and a subordinate. Perhaps the most difficult challenge in training managers and supervisors about harassment is getting across the idea that what matters is the attitude of the receiver of the harassment, not the […]
Please participate in our brief survey and see how your retirement benefits stack up against those of other successful companies. We’ll get answers to these questions and more: What is the status of your employer match? (Stopped? Less? Same?) What percent of employees participate? What percent do you match? Can employees “cash out” vacation to […]
Shortly after the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 eased the conversion of defined contribution plan balances into after-tax Roth accounts, many employers indicated they were very or somewhat likely to add the in-plan Roth 401(k) conversion options the act created as a new federal revenue source. Global human resources consultant Aon Hewitt conducted a […]
Health reimbursement arrangements that are not integrated with group health coverage will violate health reform’s prohibition on annual benefit limits, the federal government recently clarified. HRAs that are integrated with individual policies will be seen as “nonintegrated,” thereby violating the ban on annual limits, the agencies implementing health reform stated. And if employees don’t sign […]
In yesterday’s Advisor, benefits consultant Scott Haas, CLU, RHU, offered his tips on negotiating reduced pharmacy costs; today, how to manage generic drugs, plus how do download a free white paper that will help you strategize for the coming “workforce meltdown.” Haas, who is vice president of Wells Fargo Pharmacy Consulting, spoke to BLR about […]
Here’s what’s on comp managers’ minds, says Neelman: Evaluating market competitiveness, especially if pay has been stagnant at your organization Keeping on track with your strategic plan, typically refocusing on growth Increasing attention on incentive pay and pay to performance Using compensation dollars more effectively Differentiating pay based on performance, even if differentiation is modest […]
Looking for healthcare savings? (Who isn’t?) Start with a look at your prescription drug costs, says Scott Haas, CLU, RHU, vice president of Wells Fargo Pharmacy Consulting. Haas and his colleagues sought a way to get drug costs down for clients. They peered beneath the surface and didn’t like what they found, Haas said in […]