News
Colorado Businesses May be Forced to Pay Increased Premium Rates
Can employers be forced to offer health insurance to their employees? The answer seems to be yes. Last year, a law mandating health coverage for all took effect in Massachusetts, ...Read Full Post Read more >>
Health Coverage for Most
When thinking about what type of benefits are important, it starts to become obvious that health insurance coverage is one of the top employee benefits to offer. According to a ...Read Full Post Read more >>
Retirement Account Penalties After Age 70
If you offer your employees a 401(k) plan, hereÂs something else you should let them know. Anyone who does not withdraw money from their retirement account by age ...Read Full Post Read more >>
Keeping Up with Compensation
While employee benefits are truly appreciated by employees, sometimes it really does come down to compensation. With a sinking American economy, it can be tempting to cut raises for the ...Read Full Post Read more >>
Pay What You Weigh
Well, it's not exactly pay what you weigh, but officials in Alabama are cracking down on obesity by adding a sort of penalty on health insurance. This comes in response ...Read Full Post Read more >>
Health Care Costs Up 10% for 2009
ItÂs inevitable. Health care costs are rising. But just how much are they rising? According to a recent study by Aon Consulting Worldwide, health insurance costs this year will rise ...Read Full Post Read more >>
Rising Employee Benefit Costs Hitting Governments
With employee benefits costs going up, companies are revaluating whatÂs important, and making cuts and shifting costs as necessary. Usually this is limited to private companies, but with costs increasing ...Read Full Post Read more >>
Disability and Fraud
What happens when you slip and fall and are no longer able to do your job? Normally in this situation, if you are unable to return to work, youÂd file for short term disability. And thatÂs just what Albert Arroyo, a Boston firefighter did. According to his physicianÂs records, Arroyo was Âtotally and permanently disabled and could qualify for departmental pension. Yet a video surfaced a couple months later, showing Arroyo competing and placing in the top 10 in the Pro Natural American Championships bodybuilding competition. How can someone who is unable to work and qualifies for short term disability compete and place well in a physical competition, using the same skills theyÂd use on their job? With short term disability, there are no legal requirements similar to FMLA, that prohibit employers from prying into employees lives to find out whether they indeed qualify for that benefit. Short term disability coverage should require a reputable physicianÂs note saying the employee is unable to work. You can check on your employees but thereÂs a fine line between being concerned and becoming too intrusive. The latter can end up backfiring, especially if your employee is a valued one. It can also get back to other employees and make them mistrust management. The good news is that if you do find an employee is taking advantage of their disability coverage, itÂs fairly easy to get rid of them once you have proof. By adding a complete detailed description of whatÂs expected in the employee handbook, you can avoid further hassles down the line when the employee claim they werenÂt informed. Unfortunately for the Boston Fire Department, they wonÂt have as easy a time getting rid of an employee who committed fraud, as they would if they were a private company. Read more >>
Giving Employees Flex Time Can Help the Bottom Line
Common business sense says giving employees a flexible schedule to pursue personal issues and progress can hinder productivity. ItÂs thought that workers who work odd hours will pursue other interests ...Read Full Post Read more >>
Who Pays Disability?
Who pays for short term and long term disability insurance? If youÂre an employer, itÂs pretty much your choice. As an employer, you can opt to pay for your employeeÂs ...Read Full Post Read more >>
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