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Employer-sponsored plans that are secondary to Medicare are not subject to health reform’s expensive transitional reinsurance fee, nor are health flexible spending arrangements, health savings accounts and most health reimbursement arrangements. On March 11, 2013, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services published its final regulation on the transitional reinsurance fee, which takes effect […]
Three monthly measures of defined benefit pension plans’ funded status slipped or remained flat in February after a strong start to 2013, due mostly to weakening interest rates. The Milliman 100 Pension Funding Index, which monitors funding for the U.S.’s largest corporate DB plans, posted a decrease in funded status for the month to 81.5 […]
As we learned yesterday, the ultimate success of any business derives from the attitude of its employees. Good-natured employees not only diligently carry out their assigned tasks, but do so positively and creatively. They project good feelings and may find solutions to customer problems even where solutions don’t currently exist. That’s something even the best […]
Your wellness program may get much more important under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), says Morris, a member of the firm Epstein Becker Green in its Washington, D.C., office who specializes in benefits. There are already many benefits to wellness programs, but Morris is convinced they will become even more crucial as the ACA unfolds […]
Independent medical review (IMR) is the largest change in California’s SB 863, which has been widely lauded as a “new and improved” workers’ compensation reform package. The new law addresses problems that arose out of the 2004 reforms by minimizing delays in medical treatment and improving access to care.
These questions and answers on the Small Business Health Care Tax Credit are adapted from the IRS web site for companies considering getting federal subsidies to help pay premiums for their workers to get health insurance. The subsidies are authorized by health reform law. Q: Which companies qualify for a federal health care tax credit? A: […]
Two employers entered into settlement agreements with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in February after the federal agency alleged the companies had violated the Americans with Disabilities Act. Both employers, the commission said, fired employees who were entitled to leave as accommodations for their disabilities. The first involved Doneen King, an employee with the […]
If you were a general fielding an army, you’d know that no matter how good your tactics, success in battle eventually will ride on the quality and morale of your troops. Business is the same, and especially that aspect of business in which your organization is most likely to run into “hostile forces.” That’s customer […]
With March Madness nearly upon us, many employers across the United States will undoubtedly see NCAA basketball tournament ‘brackets’ at their workplace. Are these harmless fun or should employers be concerned? In this video, Mary Drexler, Executive Director for the Connecticut Council on Problem Gambling, tells BLR about the potential ramifications of problem gambling in […]
As a way of redefining the art of interviewing, Pizza Hut will experiment with a new concept in its search for the “Manager of Digital Greatness” by giving candidates 140 seconds to sell themselves for the position. How appropriate—and Twitterish! The interview technique, which will debut at the Interactive Festival this week in Austin, Texas, […]