Employees leaving vacation days on the table at record rate

Workers fear a build-up of work while gone, and say the company can't function without them.

By Tom Starner • July 7, 2016

Employers using paper-based benefits administration strategy see money fly out the window

Manually entering and storing data on paper and a greater chance of error increases the cost of administering benefits the old-school way.

By Tom Starner • July 6, 2016

Explore the Trendline➔

Inside the rapidly changing world of employee benefits

Healthcare costs are climbing and employee needs are changing. How can HR professionals adapt?

By HR Dive staff

Retirement plan audits a top concern for employer plan sponsors

A survey found that 44% of plan sponsors have not conducted an operational compliance review. About a third of respondents cited limited budgets and resources as a hurdle.

By Tom Starner • July 6, 2016

6 biggest HR storylines in 2016 ... so far

2016 is half over. HR's big stories ranged from federal overtime changes to recruiting losing the human touch.

By Tom Starner • July 6, 2016

With early retirement expectations, millennials need planning help

Millennials are doing a decent job saving for retirement, but student loan debt may keep many working beyond 62.

By Tom Starner • July 5, 2016

How instant pay options can boost productivity and relieve economic pressure

New 'on-demand' pay options could pick up steam as employers look to relieve workers' financial stress.

By Tom Starner • July 5, 2016

Self-funding healthcare coverage a viable alternative for smaller employers

Self-funding has advantages, but comes with a caveat — tread carefully, an expert warns.

By Tom Starner • July 5, 2016

How uncoupling compensation and performance can drive motivation

Keeping employees focused on how their work connects to corporate strategy is more potent than checking things off a list, writes a CEO.

By Tom Starner • July 5, 2016

Employee wellbeing and engagement: A value proposition

Programs focusing solely on physical wellness are no longer viewed as an effective solution. A more holistic approach is needed that considers all aspects of employees' lives.

By Bryan Mahoney • July 5, 2016

Manufacturing leads the pack in choosing high-deductible healthcare plans

Manufacturing industry employees favor high-deduction healthcare plans, which means employers should encourage use of pre-tax health savings accounts to finance those deductibles.

By Tom Starner • July 5, 2016

SHRM: College loan repayment benefit growth is surprisingly slow

Despite garnering lots of media attention, the benefit is not catching on...yet.

By Tom Starner • July 1, 2016

Consider the cloud as a way to help meet new OT rule challenges

Adjusting to the new overtime rule will not be easy, but one expert offers four ways that can help.

By Tom Starner • June 30, 2016

Expert: As part of a wellness program, even gift cards are taxable

A tax professional reminds employers that workplace wellness cash incentives are taxable income for employees.

By Tom Starner • June 30, 2016

Labor Dept.'s home healthcare wage rule stands

The U.S. Supreme Court passed on the case, meaning the rule will continue to exist.

By Tom Starner • June 29, 2016

One year later: Same-sex marriage's impact on employers

The ruling had actually simplified benefits for many, a legal expert says.

By Tom Starner • June 29, 2016

Employees unprepared for high-deductible health plan use

Research shows that employees lack the basic knowledge necessary to make decisions about healthcare.

By Tom Starner • June 28, 2016

Will the new overtime rule reduce litigation?

The Labor Dept. expects wage and hour litigation to drop with its new OT rule, but legal experts are not as convinced.

By Tom Starner • June 28, 2016

Why employee concierge services may be useful for today's workforce

They aren't new, but in today's high-intensity work atmosphere, they may have a new place in an employer's benefit offering.

By Tom Starner • June 27, 2016

LGBT workforce increasing benefits engagement, but still a long way to go

A recent survey found an uptick in LGBT employees exploring new benefits since the same-sex marriage SCOTUS decision.

By Tom Starner • June 27, 2016

Retirement plan members want lifetime income guarantee options, but have little choice

Prudential reports about 35,500 defined contribution plans currently offer guaranteed lifetime income solutions, but that represents only 4% of DC plans.

By Tom Starner • June 24, 2016

Expert: Single paid leave mandate could level the employer playing field

With more private employers as well as states and cities creating plans, momentum could build for a federal rule on the matter.

By Tom Starner • June 24, 2016

Survey: Expatriate packages remain a critical, though expensive, business strategy

Despite the risks, global assignments continue to play a key role in the business. Are employers prepared?

By Tom Starner • June 24, 2016

Dental benefits role reinvigorated thanks to holistic wellness

Dental health and habits can often be indicative of other chronic conditions such as heart disease or diabetes.

By Tom Starner • June 24, 2016

Will American willingness to work long hours stymie compliance with OT rule?

American employees would work off the clock even if the practice was banned, a new survey says.

By Tom Starner • June 23, 2016

#SHRM16: A roundup of coverage on SHRM's 20th year of benefits research

From 1996 to 2016, SHRM has published annual reports on employer benefits, marking notable trends in the space.

By Tom Starner • June 23, 2016