When a participant in a Destiny Health wellness plan returned from a trip to
Florida, one could almost smell coconut-scented tanning lotion on the e-mail
she sent to the health plan's offices. Not only was she feeling great physically,
perhaps because of participation in Destiny's Vitality program, but she
had earned the trip through that participation.
It's no secret that investigations into unscrupulous practices by mutual
fund investment firms are continuing. Market timing, late trading, Enron, WorldCom—all
are words and phrases that give 401(k) plan sponsors the vague feeling they
should be doing something. But what?
During these difficult economic times, you’re likely asked to justify
every penny you spend on employee programs. Benefits like dry-cleaning services
and resource referrals may make you feel a bit, well, sheepish, when facing
your boss. Before you stammer and look at your feet, though, take a look at
what some companies are discovering when they calculate the return on their
investment in work/life programs.
For people in and around large cities in the United States, there are some
very appealing reasons to live in the suburbs. Commuting is not one of them.
Getting from home to the office and back again can be a tiring, stressful, and
expensive business. We can’t help with the tiring and stressful part. If
you want to cut down on employees’ commuting expenses, however, possibly
without impacting your bottom line, read on.
Maybe you've heard a little about automated, online benefits enrollment, and maybe you?re a little nervous about implementing it. But we talked to an expert and came away with some advice that may put you at ease.
Recent research reveals some interesting--and disturbing--information
about health care and its applications across racial and ethnic lines. To borrow
a thought, all Americans entering the healthcare system are equal. However,
some are more equal than others.
You might think the lower-paid people in your company are most in need of financial
planning. At times, that may be true. But often, says Certified Financial Planner
Todd Taskey, the executives in your organization need the help even more.
All right, it?s not what you traditionally think of when someone says "outsourcing." But after all, who is in a better position to take over some of the administrative minutiae of your employee benefits than the employees themselves?
Craig Newton has some advice for supervisors who worry about that employee who suddenly can't get along with coworkers, or has been arriving at the office later and later, or seems incapable of concentrating: Put away the Kleenex.
A perfect attendance drawing is just one of the ways Continental Airlines reinforces its core culture. Donna Towle, the company's managing director of HR, says the award underscores the importance of getting customers to their destinations on time. "We have to have employees who come to work," she says. "When our employees don’t come to work, we run the risk of not delivering our product."
