4 benefits trends to watch in 2017

We asked HR observers to tell us which benefits areas will be at the forefront next year. Answers ranged from telemedicine to getting millennial employees to save.

By Ryan Golden • Nov. 16, 2016

Startup lets employees swap PTO for other perks and benefits

The Seattle-based company is trying to solve an age-old problem for employers: what to do with leftover PTO.

By Valerie Bolden-Barrett • Nov. 16, 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

Employees overestimate their actual benefits knowledge

A new study found that while 80% of the workers tested felt they understood their benefits “very well,” only about 49% actually did.

By Valerie Bolden-Barrett • Nov. 16, 2016

Fidelity: The average 15-year saver is ahead of the game for retirement

Savers in that group have $331,200 in their accounts, up from $43,900 in 2001, reports Employee Benefits News.

By Valerie Bolden-Barrett • Nov. 15, 2016

HR observers weigh in on President-elect Trump

An HR Dive survey showed over 60% of respondents did not feel optimistic about the new administration's impact on HR.

By Ryan Golden • Nov. 11, 2016

Survey: Employers not certain how to ensure pay is fair

Just half of workers think their pay is fair and nearly half of employers lack a mechanism to make sure it is, a Willis Towers Watson survey reveals.

By Valerie Bolden-Barrett • Nov. 11, 2016

What post-parental leave flexibility looks like

Baby-at-work benefits and flexible time off have emerged as potential solutions for new parents.

By Valerie Bolden-Barrett • Nov. 11, 2016

Companies, insurers call AARP's stand against EEOC wellness rules flawed

Businesses say the AARP's stance could create trouble and confusion.

By Valerie Bolden-Barrett • Nov. 10, 2016

Move over, Siri: HR is getting its own AI assistant

SueAI, a new app developed by Razor Fish, aims to free up HR managers for more strategic tasks.

By Valerie Bolden-Barrett • Nov. 10, 2016

Companies are opting out of onsite daycare centers for less costly benefits

Onsite daycare centers, the once popular benefit for working parents, are being swapped for less expensive, more diverse employee perks.

By Valerie Bolden-Barrett • Nov. 10, 2016

Paid 'safe days' offer domestic violence survivors protection

Domestic violence causes between 25% and 50% of survivors to lose their jobs — but some states are stepping up.

By Valerie Bolden-Barrett • Nov. 9, 2016

Will offering PTO to go to the polls get more workers to vote?

A large segment of the American population – 42.5% – doesn’t vote.

By Valerie Bolden-Barrett • Nov. 8, 2016

Paid leave tied to minimum wage on Arizona, Washington ballots

Minimum wage is on the ballot in a few states, but more is at stake in some states.

By Valerie Bolden-Barrett • Nov. 8, 2016

Court says Obama administration's fiduciary rule will stand

The rule, enacted to force brokers and financial advisers to act in employees' best interest, had been challenged by NAFA, among other business groups.

By Valerie Bolden-Barrett • Nov. 8, 2016

Janitor earns six-figure annual income taking advantage of overtime pay

A San Francisco-based BART employee brought home 10 times the annual median income for others in his field – and that doesn't even include benefits.

By Valerie Bolden-Barrett • Nov. 7, 2016

Pre-election job figures show October numbers slipped

Labor Department statistics show that the economy grew by 161,000 jobs in October compared with September’s job growth of 191,000.

By Valerie Bolden-Barrett • Nov. 7, 2016

NYDOL could increase overtime threshold beyond new FLSA rules

The state could set the minimum exempt salary for NYC workers to $1,125/wk, exceeding the proposed FLSA minimum by $200. 

By Valerie Bolden-Barrett • Nov. 7, 2016

Medical marijuana user sues health insurer for violating HIPAA privacy rules

Medical marijuana is legal in Michigan, but when the employee's company found out, they asked her to resign or be terminated.

By Valerie Bolden-Barrett • Nov. 7, 2016

Study: Productivity should be the focus of workplace wellbeing

Promoting good health at work is nice, but companies should focus on raising productivity, reports Xerox — meaning a more holistic view is needed.

By Valerie Bolden-Barrett • Nov. 4, 2016

NLRB backs Uber drivers in their fight for wage protections

The board is calling Uber's arbitration agreements into question, though Uber has claimed that judges already called its agreement lawful.

By Valerie Bolden-Barrett • Nov. 4, 2016

Minimum wage advocates release ballot fact sheet ahead of election

The guide, released by The Fairness Project, addresses 2016 ballot initiatives that could impact 2.4 million US workers.

By Valerie Bolden-Barrett • Nov. 4, 2016

Virgin Pulse, Fitbit announce workplace wellness initiative

The two organizations believe in the ability of wellness programs to mitigate problems like chronic illness and workplace accidents.

By Valerie Bolden-Barrett • Nov. 3, 2016

How employers can ensure high-quality cancer care for their workers

Although employee benefits specialists aren’t healthcare experts, they’re still responsible for making tough decisions bout plans and services.

By Valerie Bolden-Barrett • Nov. 3, 2016

LinkedIn unveils a new global salary portal

LinkedIn Salary charts earnings across the globe to give employees a sense of their earnings compared to others around them.

By Valerie Bolden-Barrett • Nov. 3, 2016

The keys to providing transgender healthcare benefits

Employers want a more inclusive workplace and it’s happening with transition-related healthcare plans 

By Valerie Bolden-Barrett • Nov. 3, 2016