Vendor Management

8 ways to trim marginal benefits, max out those that work

04/14/2009

In today’s pared-to-the-bone business environment, you can’t waste time or money offering benefits no one cares about. If you haven’t already, now’s the time to take a magnifying glass to your benefits. Look for efficiencies in these eight places.

New ‘red flag’ identity theft mandate takes effect May 1

04/14/2009

If your organization sells products or services on credit, take note: May 1, 2009, is the deadline to comply with the identity theft requirements in the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act. If any of your benefits involve extending credit to employees, this law could apply to you.

Shopping for voluntary benefits? 5 ‘must ask’ questions

03/26/2009

As a way to cut costs, more organizations are replacing their company-paid benefits with voluntary benefits. However, choosing (or negotiating) the wrong voluntary benefits plan can result in extra fees, added paperwork and push-back from employees. Here are five key questions to ask when shopping for voluntary benefits:

IRS, DOL release guidance on new COBRA rules

03/24/2009

The IRS and the U.S. Department of Labor have just published guidance to help employers claim the credit for the new 65% COBRA subsidy and create the mandatory new COBRA notices. Look here for links to the documents and information you need to comply.

Use these 8 criteria for choosing an outsourcing consultant

03/09/2009

The decision to outsource HR functions often means a lot of hard work. Hiring a consultant to sort through outsourcing options—whether for payroll, benefits administration or any of dozens of other functions—can save time and money. But you must choose the right consultant.

HR technology: Shortcuts to find the best vendors, products

12/02/2008

Say your CEO tasks you with cutting HR department costs. You know technology can help slay that cost dragon, but you have no idea where to start. Instead of combing through hundreds of vendor web sites, use these nonbiased resources to search for the right HR tech products.

New law: Employers must review outside investigators’ work

10/10/2008

In May 2008, Michigan enacted the Professional Investigator Licensure Act. The act has a significant impact on how employers can conduct background checks and investigations. A violation of the act is a felony punishable by imprisonment for not more than four years or a fine of not more than $5,000, or both …

New law brings oversight to outsourced HR

10/07/2008

Gov. Bill Ritter recently signed into law the 2008 Professional Employer Organizations Modernization Act, which promises greater security for small businesses that rely on PEOs to provide outsourced HR management, employee benefits, payroll and workers’ compensation services …

Don’t forget service when choosing workers’ comp carrier

10/03/2008

HR pros should look at more than price when they’re shopping for a workers’ compensation insurance carrier. Here’s a checklist to cover with your insurance broker before selecting a carrier …

Help working parents—and their kids—with a homework hotline

08/01/2008

When their kids head back to school this month, parents who work for California-based SanDisk won’t have to spend much time figuring out middle-school math problems. The digital storage manufacturer offers its working parents access to a homework hotline run by WorkLife Innovations …