Strategic Planning

5 steps for getting beyond comp & benefits benchmarks

04/30/2010

I get nervous when HR professionals use benchmarks as their primary criteria to determine how much to pay employees or spend on benefits. My proposal: Put less stock in external benchmarks, and figure out what your company needs to attract and retain high-quality employees. Then devise a strategy to get what you need. Here are five ideas to consider:

5 keys to boosting participation in your health plan

04/27/2010

Innovative employers are applying five new principles when they talk to employees about health and health insurance. As you look for ways to encourage employees to be active, informed consumers of the health benefits you offer, see how many you can incorporate into your own communication plans.

Base health communication strategies on 5 behavioral quirks

03/19/2010

When researchers at HR consulting giant Towers Watson were compiling new stats on 2010 employer health care costs, they uncovered some fascinating findings from the world of behavioral economics that innovative employers are applying to their health communication efforts. As you look for ways to encourage employees to be active, informed consumers of the health benefits you offer, see how many you can incorporate into your own communication plans.

6 keys to help ‘accidental teleworkers’ keep the work flowing

03/18/2010

When the weather or another emergency turns your employees into accidental telecommuters, your organization will be better off if they’re prepared to work from home. Before the next weather emergency hits, develop systems and start training your employees to work productively from remote locations. Here are guidelines that have worked in organizations around the country:

Unwonk your organization’s mission statement

02/02/2010

If you’re in HR, chances are you played some role in crafting the most recent version of your organization’s mission statement. But now that the words are plastered on your web site and the plaque is hanging in the lobby, do your employees truly understand your mission? Heck, do you even understand it? Here’s practical advice for keeping it real.

Questions and answers about H1N1 flu and wage-and-hour laws

11/24/2009

If H1N1 flu threatens to shut down businesses nationwide, employers are going to need contingency plans to make sure they keep running. Flexible work schedules, temporary shutdowns and telework can all help—but all have unexpected wage-and-hour implications. Here’s guidance from the Department of Labor on how to handle these tricky issues.

Seek employee input to blunt cost-cutting anger

11/11/2009

For countless organizations, cost reduction remains an overriding business imperative. But too many employers continue to swing the budget ax without seeking employees’ suggestions for what and where to cut. To cut costs in ways that have the least impact on retention and productivity, take the following steps that experts recommend for including employees in the decision-making:

It’s not hogwash: Prepare now for the coming swine flu pandemic

09/23/2009

Federal and state public health agencies are closely monitoring the H1N1 influenza (also known as swine flu) that was first identified this spring. Since then, every state in the U.S. has had confirmed cases of the virus. It’s not time to panic—but it is time for businesses to think strategically, be proactive and be prepared.

Adopt 5 HR best practices to weather the recession

09/04/2009

During a recession, every organization seems to face its own unique HR challenges, and that’s leading to creative solutions and new ways of thinking. Here are five best practices that can help comp and benefits pros make changes that contribute to their organizations’ survival.

Employers preparing for swine flu’s second wave

09/02/2009

The World Health Organization raised the swine flu alert to its highest level, saying the H1N1 virus has reached global pandemic levels. Your best HR defense is a good offensive plan to handle the logistical and employment law issues …