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Compensation & Benefits

Beware payroll ‘phishing’ schemes

04/19/2013
Federal law enforcement authorities urge employers that outsource payroll operations to be on the alert for phony emails from third-party providers.

Better late than never: Refunds of ‘excess’ transit benefits

04/19/2013
Tax season just came to a close for most taxpayers. Exception: A late-season update to the IRS’ website informs employees who had more than $125 a month withheld for qualified mass transit benefits during 2012 on how to claim a refund for their excess income and FICA taxes.

Wellness incentives show healthy growth this year

04/18/2013
Employers plan to spend an average of $521 per employee on wellness incentives this year, according to a survey by the National Business Group on Health. That’s 13% more than in 2011, and double the $260 average reported in 2009.

New York PR firm allows time for employees to recharge

04/17/2013
New York-based public relations firm Weber Shandwick is helping its em­­ployees recharge mind, body and soul through an array of programs that en­­courage them to engage in new experiences, take care of themselves and keep in touch with one another.

401(k)s bounce back, but many workers still leave money on table

04/16/2013
Employee participation rates in their employers’ 401(k)s are up, according to a new survey by WorldatWork and the American Benefits Council. But fewer than 10% of employees contribute the maximum to their retirement plans.

Utility fights chronic disease with full-on wellness push

04/15/2013

In 2005, Georgia Power discovered that more than 53% of its 8,500 em­­ployees had or were at risk of developing a chronic health condition. Since then, the utility has enrolled thousands of employees in its “Southern LifeStyle” wellness program, helping workers slim down, eat healthier and cut their risk for diseases.

The case against perfect-attendance awards

04/12/2013
Many employers use perfect-attendance awards as a tool to cure their absenteeism problems. But for both legal and non-legal reasons, these may not be the right carrots. Here’s why:

Small biz insurance choices limited in 2014

04/12/2013
In a tacit admission that the Affordable Care Act is suffering teething pains, the Department of Health and Human Services earlier this month postponed for a year plans to offer a variety of affordable health insurance plans to small businesses starting in 2014. In many states the Small Business Health Options Program will be limited to a single insurance plan in the first year.

Any downsides to a no-fault attendance policy?

04/11/2013
Q. We are thinking about implementing a no-fault attendance policy. We hope it will provide clearer absenteeism rules and make it easier for managers to enforce. Are there any downsides?

Health care reform: Prepare now for changes coming in 2014

04/11/2013
Last summer, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the ACA. Since then, a primary concern for employers has been how to effectively prepare for the employer mandate requiring most employers to provide health insurance benefits. Although the mandate takes effect in 2014, implementation of several requirements will depend on cir­­cumstances that unfold this year.