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  • Benefits 101: Personal Leave

    Benefits 101: Personal Leave

    A better work/life balance is at the top of the list for many employees.  However, with the absence of nationwide paid leave regulations for American workers, employers typically determine the extent of paid time off for their employees.  In an increased effort to remain competitive and improve employee attraction and retention, a new survey found…

  • Benefits Buzz February 2024

    Benefits Buzz February 2024

    ACA Reporting Deadlines Are Approaching Employers subject to Affordable Care Act (ACA) reporting under Internal Revenue Code Sections 6055 or 6056 should prepare to comply with upcoming reporting deadlines. For the 2023 calendar year, covered employers must: Furnish statements to individuals by March 1, 2024 (an alternative method of furnishing statements to covered individuals is…

  • Compliance Recap January 2024

    Compliance Recap January 2024

    NEW EMPLOYEE CLASSIFICATION RULE In January, the Department of Labor (DOL) Wage and Hour Division introduced a rule that changes the way workers are classified under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). This Final Rule, effective March 11, 2024, offers a more comprehensive test to determine a worker’s status, potentially making it more challenging to classify…

  • Health Insurance Basics: Part 1

    Health Insurance Basics: Part 1

    What is Health Insurance and Why is it Important? Health insurance is a legal entitlement to payment or reimbursement for your health care costs, generally under a contract with a health insurance company. Health insurance provides important financial protection in case you have an accident or sickness. For example, health insurance may help to pay…

  • Benefits 101: What Is Critical Illness Insurance?

    Benefits 101: What Is Critical Illness Insurance?

    Critical illness insurance is known by many names: heart attack insurance, catastrophic illness insurance and sick insurance are just a few. No matter what it’s called, it’s designed to guard against the financial costs of a serious disease or condition. As the average life expectancy in the United States continues to increase, insurance brokers are…

  • Top Benefit Trends for 2024

    Top Benefit Trends for 2024

    The challenges that influenced the benefits landscape in 2023 persist—perhaps even more so. Rising costs, due to inflation and increasing health care prices, will continue to present challenges this new year.  But employers who understand the benefits landscape for 2024 can mold their approach for the upcoming year. A new year means revisiting your existing…

  • Compliance Recap December 2023

    Compliance Recap December 2023

    WORKPLACE POSTERS The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) enforces the posting of employee notices in the workplace to comply with various DOL statues. The posters are available for free in multiple languages. To determine which posters are needed for your business, the DOL  FirstStep Poster Advisor can help. Employers can download and print the posters directly from…

  • New Year, New You: Mental Health Tips for 2024

    New Year, New You: Mental Health Tips for 2024

    As we begin to settle into 2024, many of us are thinking about New Year’s resolutions.  The start of a New Year signals a time for change, reflection and a sense of ‘starting afresh’. This year, you can seize the new year’s spirit of renewal and make mental health your top priority! A healthy mind…

  • Year-Round Benefits Education

    Year-Round Benefits Education

    For most organizations, employee benefits communication kicks into high gear during open enrollment season. During this time, there is a surge in emails, educational webinars, fliers throughout the office, and a barrage of forms demanding signatures. Post open enrollment, however, employees often receive minimal information about their benefits. While sporadic email updates or new laminated…

  • 8 HR Trends for 2024

    8 HR Trends for 2024

    With the arrival of 2024, Human Resources professionals are contemplating the future. Everyone is looking into that crystal ball to try and understand what the most pressing issues in talent management will be. HR Exchange Network is no different, so we turned to the experts on Featured to ask what they think will be the biggest trend of…