Technology Brings Down Cost of Processing Payroll
December 12, 2006—There is certainly money to be saved through technology, says the American Payroll Association. Here are some of the ways we discovered.
Survey: Few Employees Understand Scope of Benefits
December 01, 2006—HR and benefits executives believe a disconnect exists between what companies spend on benefits and how employees perceive that investment, according to a recent survey conducted by Charlton Consulting Group, a benefits communications company.
Creative Ways to Drive Down Commuting Costs
November 28, 2006—While as of this writing we are experiencing a slight decrease in the cost of our fuel, many American workers are still feeling the pinch. An employee with the same commute he or she had a few years ago could be shelling out an additional $250 or more per year for gasoline now. For most of us, that hurts; but it's especially painful for lower-wage employees.
FLSA Alert: Pay Employees Appropriately for Shop Time, Travel Time
November 20, 2006—Shop time, or time spent by employees at the shop, is compensable under the FLSA if the employer requires employees to appear at the shop to take part in activities that are indispensable and integral to the employer's principal activities. Travel time, or the time spent by employees traveling between the shop and the job site, is also compensable. (Time spent getting from home to the job site is not compensable.)
Pregnancy Discrimination Complaints Growing Significantly
November 14, 2006—Although it's been nearly 3 decades since the Pregnancy Discrimination Act (PDA) was enacted, pregnancy discrimination complaints have increased significantly in recent years.
Savoring the Sweet Taste of Success with Automated Appraisals
November 07, 2006—Lack of uniformity, inefficiencies, and difficulty tracking progress of employee reviews were among the challenges that the HR department at Jelly Belly Candy Company faced--until it implemented a new automated appraisal system.
Here's Proof: Good HR Boosts Profits
October 31, 2006—A 4-year, groundbreaking study shows that certain "effective employee management" practices (read: strategic HR) make small- and mid-sized companies more profitable.
'Health Coaching' Helps Wellness Programs Pay Off
October 24, 2006—For the past few years we've waited, and it seems to be here at last: disease management and the drive toward consumerism are beginning to work. Rather than another huge increase in premiums, some companies are seeing their premium level for the first time in many years. Wellness, it seems, pays off. Michael Mulvihill, president and CEO of Leade Health, is one of the many experts in the field who believe that an individualized, intensive approach to wellness is the most effective way to get people healthy.
Sorting Through the HSA Maze
October 16, 2006—High deductible health plans (HDHP) and health savings accounts (HSA) have shown evidence of providing a partial cure to rapidly rising healthcare costs. Employers are taking notice, with the majority seriously considering offering these new plans. Most employers understand how to access HDHPs; however, gaining access to HSAs is less clear.
Tiered Profit Sharing Plans Do Double Duty
October 10, 2006—Tiered profit sharing plans can do double duty for your company, says Baylis Resnick, vice president and senior pension consultant at Polycomp. Not only is a tiered profit sharing plan a tried-and-true employee benefit, it can also be used as a compensation tool.
