US workers seeing how their pay stacks up against their CEOs' for the first time

The first round of published pay ratios mandated by the Dodd-Frank disclosure requirement are now available.

By Valerie Bolden-Barrett • March 15, 2018

More employers go direct to providers, sidestepping payers

Big companies like Walmart and Apple are looking to bypass payers for some services.

By Les Masterson • March 14, 2018

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

Nonsmokers say they should get additional vacation days

With the average smoker spending six days a year on smoke breaks, 80% of nonsmokers polled said they deserve extra time off.

By Valerie Bolden-Barrett • March 14, 2018

'I am worried': Former DOL official says $47K overtime rule still a possibility

Between slow rulemaking processes and a fast-approaching election year, employers aren't out of the woods just yet, Tammy McCutchen told attendees at SHRM's employment law and legislative conference.

By Kate Tornone • March 13, 2018

HDHPs have fallen way short of 'silver bullet' status

High deductible plans account for just 30% of health plans offered by employers, according to a report from Gartner and DirectPath.

By Valerie Bolden-Barrett • March 13, 2018

Employees on long-term opioid prescriptions stay out longer on disability

The overprescribing of opioids is challenging employers in unprecedented ways. 

By Valerie Bolden-Barrett • March 12, 2018

Target boosts wages to $12 an hour

This move is part of the company's mission to get its workers to $15 by 2020 — and it highlights the pressures retailers are facing when it comes to talent.

By Kathryn Moody , Valerie Bolden-Barrett • March 12, 2018

Report: Employers should broaden wellness programs beyond fitness and nutrition

Employers tend to set limits on what their programs cover, analysts at The Campbell Institute said, making such programs less effective than more holistic models.

By Valerie Bolden-Barrett • March 9, 2018

McDonald's logo flip stunt for International Women's Day falls flat

The attempted statement is an example of why both external branding and internal HR practices need synergy — so employers don't risk alienating employees and customers alike.

By Peter Adams • March 9, 2018

Study: To see paid sick leave ROI, plans need to offer 10 days or more

Could generous paid sick leave policies that boost preventive medicine use cut healthcare costs?

By Valerie Bolden-Barrett • March 8, 2018

Employees want financial products, education from work

Personal financial struggles are frequently cited as a distraction from work, but employers can help.

By Valerie Bolden-Barrett • March 8, 2018

DOL launches wage violation self-reporting program

The pilot program allows employers to avoid fees like liquidated damages if they identify mistakes and pay workers any back wages they're due.

By Valerie Bolden-Barrett , Kate Tornone • March 7, 2018

Sluggish wage growth hasn't been equal across demographic lines

A new report from Economic Policy Institute supports the argument that wages have not kept pace with productivity and other economic metrics.

By Valerie Bolden-Barrett • March 7, 2018

4 workforce investments your C-suite should consider, according to Mercer

As some companies respond to the new tax law with minimum wage bumps and one-time bonuses, others are looking at more strategic uses for their savings.

By Valerie Bolden-Barrett • March 7, 2018

To cut healthcare costs, more employers are offering second opinion services

Some are considering the benefit as a way to provide more valuable care to all employees, not just those with dire health issues.

By Valerie Bolden-Barrett • March 7, 2018

United Airlines cancels employee bonus lottery after backlash

The airline said its intent was to spice up its annual bonus strategy, but some employees took offense, saying the lottery would only reward an "elite few."

By Valerie Bolden-Barrett • March 6, 2018

Why is the decline of independent primary care increasing your healthcare costs?

The decline of independent primary care doesn’t just create a fragmented, inefficient, and less effective experience for employees seeking care — it also drives up healthcare costs for employers.

By Jeff Dobro, MD • March 6, 2018

Costco named No. 1 on Indeed's list of top companies for comp and benefits

Notable offerings cited by Indeed include FedEx's wedding leave policy and Capital One's adoption and surrogacy reimbursements.

By Valerie Bolden-Barrett • March 2, 2018

#MeToo, #TimesUp movements may spur pay transparency

Many employers are now working to ensure pay parity, and improved transparency may be a key component of that effort.

By Valerie Bolden-Barrett • March 2, 2018

All things equal, women still earn only 92 cents on the dollar

The wage gap has narrowed drastically in recent decades, partly due to women attending and graduating college in greater numbers and increasingly pursuing high-paying careers.

By Valerie Bolden-Barrett , Kate Tornone • March 2, 2018

Companies that innovate to lower health costs save more than $2K per employee a year

Willis Towers Watson says "best-performing" firms achieve reduced costs by promoting plan design innovations and a culture of well-being, among other strategies.

By Ryan Golden , Valerie Bolden-Barrett • March 1, 2018

DOL opinion letters: Flawed, but the best option available?

Employers can once again directly ask the federal government wage and hour questions and — hopefully — get a response.

By Kate Tornone • March 1, 2018

20 states suing to invalidate ACA

The Republican attorneys general are arguing that with the individual mandate penalty zeroed out, the law can't be enforced and is unconstitutional.

By Shannon Muchmore • March 1, 2018

Tech firm diversity survey marked by conflicting results

A majority of those in the tech industry say they've worked in a diverse department — yet 45% also agree that the industry remains overwhelmingly white and male.

By Valerie Bolden-Barrett • March 1, 2018

Two-thirds of millennials have saved absolutely nothing for retirement

Even among those millennials who do have access to an employer-sponsored plan, just over one-third participate in those plans.

By Valerie Bolden-Barrett • Feb. 28, 2018