Blog
5 ways to make sure your wellness benefits are hitting the mark
Lee Hafner | March 19,2024 | Employee Benefits News Employers build benefits packages with the best of intentions, but too many options or the wrong ones altogether can frustrate employees and drain company resources. Nearly half of employees said they are confused by parts of their benefits plans in a recent survey by MetLife, while other studies place the number as high as 85%.
Health Benefits Help SMBs Hire and Retain Workers Despite Ongoing Challenges
February 20, 2024 | Source: BenefitsPRO, by Alan Goforth Although small and mid-sized businesses may lack the resources of their larger counterparts, they face many of the same issues in recruiting and retaining qualified employees. “It’s a challenging time for smaller employers,” according to a report from eHealth. “Most said it’s harder to find good workers today than it was three years ago. While
Holiday Closure
Our offices will be closed Monday, February 19, 2024 in observance of Presidents Day. We will return to normal business hours on Tuesday, January 20, 2024 at 8 AM. We hope you have a wonderful holiday and God bless America!
6 ways to plan for a bright future beyond renewals
Ed Ligonde, Eric Silverman | January 24, 2024 6 ways to plan for a bright future beyond renewals Employee benefit brokers play a pivotal role in helping organizations provide competitive and comprehensive benefits to their employees. However, there is a common misconception that producers’ duties end with annual renewals in a mad dash to the Q4 finish line — now in our
Employment Law Trends at the Start of 2024
HR Advisor Newsletter by Choice Builder Employment Law Trends at the Start of 2024 With each new year, the world of HR and compliance looks a little different than before. Minimum wages increase. New laws go into effect. Trends emerge as state legislatures look at what their neighbors are doing and think, “We should do something similar!” Themes for 2024
Holiday Closure
Our offices will be closed Monday, January 15, 2024 in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. We will return to normal business hours on Tuesday, January 16, 2024 at 8 AM. We hope you have a wonderful holiday and God bless America!
Question: Can we ask employees if they are taking any medications that may impair their abilities to do their job?
HR Snapshot by Choice Builder| Laura, MA, SHRM-C Question: Can we ask employees if they are taking any medications that may impair their abilities to do their job? Answer: Generally, no. The Americans with Disabilities Act restricts employers from asking medical questions of employees and protects the privacy of medical information. Asking about prescription medications would fall into the category of a
Annual Employee Benefits Compliance Responsibilities On January 1st
December 5, 2023 | Source: Word & Brown, by Paul Roberts The start of each year marks an important date for employers as they face annual compliance responsibilities related to their health plans, the Affordable Care Act (ACA), and COBRA. Staying on top of these regulations is crucial for compliance and to avoid significant non-compliance penalties. Benefits advisors and insurance brokers play a
Question: Are we required to update our I-9s when the documentation used for them expires?
December 27, 2023| Source: Eric SHRM-SCP Question: Are we required to update our I-9s when the documentation used for them expires? Answer: You would only update a Form I-9 if the expired document pertains to a limited period of employment authorization. You should never reverify U.S. citizens and, in most cases, lawful permanent residents (Green Card holders). However, if a lawful permanent
Cannabis Protections in Employment
California Law Alert December 15, 2023 California Employment Law Updates for January 1 The following employment laws take effect January 1, 2024. CANNABIS PROTECTIONS IN EMPLOYMENT Employers with five or more employees will be prohibited from discriminating against an applicant or employee for using cannabis off-duty and away from the workplace. This includes discriminating based on a drug test that