Compensation & Benefits

Check no longer in the mail: The case for direct deposit, paycards

04/22/2013

Most employees ditched paper checks in favor of direct deposit decades ago. So your job is done, right? Wrong. Some employees remain wary of direct deposit. How can you eliminate those pesky paper checks once and for all?

Beware payroll ‘phishing’ schemes

04/19/2013

Federal law enforcement authorities urge employers that outsource payroll operations to be on the alert for phony emails from third-party providers.

Better late than never: Refunds of ‘excess’ transit benefits

04/19/2013

Tax season just came to a close for most taxpayers. Exception: A late-season update to the IRS’ website informs employees who had more than $125 a month withheld for qualified mass transit benefits during 2012 on how to claim a refund for their excess income and FICA taxes.

Wellness incentives show healthy growth this year

04/18/2013

Employers plan to spend an average of $521 per employee on wellness incentives this year, according to a survey by the National Business Group on Health. That’s 13% more than in 2011, and double the $260 average reported in 2009.

New York PR firm allows time for employees to recharge

04/17/2013

New York-based public relations firm Weber Shandwick is helping its employees recharge mind, body and soul through an array of programs that encourage them to engage in new experiences, take care of themselves and keep in touch with one another.

401(k)s bounce back, but many workers still leave money on table

04/16/2013

Employee participation rates in their employers’ 401(k)s are up, according to a new survey by WorldatWork and the American Benefits Council. But fewer than 10% of employees contribute the maximum to their retirement plans.

Utility fights chronic disease with full-on wellness push

04/15/2013

In 2005, Georgia Power discovered that more than 53% of its 8,500 employees had or were at risk of developing a chronic health condition. Since then, the utility has enrolled thousands of employees in its “Southern LifeStyle” wellness program, helping workers slim down, eat healthier and cut their risk for diseases.

The case against perfect-attendance awards

04/12/2013

Many employers use perfect-attendance awards as a tool to cure their absenteeism problems. But for both legal and non-legal reasons, these may not be the right carrots. Here’s why:

Small biz insurance choices limited in 2014

04/12/2013

In a tacit admission that the Affordable Care Act is suffering teething pains, the Department of Health and Human Services earlier this month postponed for a year plans to offer a variety of affordable health insurance plans to small businesses starting in 2014. In many states the Small Business Health Options Program will be limited to a single insurance plan in the first year.

Any downsides to a no-fault attendance policy?

04/11/2013

Q. We are thinking about implementing a no-fault attendance policy. We hope it will provide clearer absenteeism rules and make it easier for managers to enforce. Are there any downsides?