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.

HR Works Podcast COVID-19 Update: What Vaccines Mean for Employers

It has been a few months since we have discussed workplace policies surrounding testing on this podcast. Since that time, testing has become much more widespread and available. Recent news has also offered us perhaps our first breath of fresh air in quite some time: two viable vaccines have been successfully developed. In this episode, […]

pay

Businesses and Employees Need Flexible Pay Solutions as Expectations Shift

The drawbacks of legacy payroll and HR systems have grown more evident in recent months as businesses and their employees adapt to the challenges associated with COVID-19. With the workforce turning over quickly due to shifting work restrictions and budgets, current infrastructure falls short in affording companies much-needed flexibility.

Medicare

Want to Require Medicare Enrollment? Size Matters

Q. Can we make it mandatory for employees to enroll in Medicare upon turning age 65 even if they don’t plan on retiring and continue using the group medical plan? If so, how must this be communicated to employees approaching Medicare eligibility?

deadline

What Happens When COBRA Deadlines Become Suggested Time Limits?

It seemed like a great idea this spring when the federal government issued guidance providing relief from certain benefits deadlines—including those related to COBRA continuation coverage—due to the disruption caused by the COVID-19 national emergency. Then, it was assumed the emergency would end by June.

cargiving

Using Benefits to Support Employees Who Are Caregivers

Employees who provide care for others often find these responsibilities present conflicts with work. After all, things like medical appointments often fall during the same hours as a standard workday—just one example of how caregiving responsibilities can impact employers, no matter how conscientious the employees are.

FSA

IRS, SSA Adjust Benefits Thresholds for 2021

Employees will be able to contribute up to $2,750 to a health flexible spending account (FSA) in 2021, the same as in 2020, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced in Revenue Procedure 2020-45. However, changes were made to certain other benefits thresholds and limits.

employer

Crisis Strains Employers’ Plans for Furloughed Workers

Many struggling but optimistic employers have continued to offer medical, dental, and other benefits to employees on furlough during the COVID-19 pandemic. But with no immediate end in sight, they’re wondering what to do next.