Archive for September, 2010
Why Employees Hate EAPs.
Many EAPS fall into a common – and dangerous – category – Management thinks the program is excellent, but employees think it’s a waste. But it doesn’t have to be that way when you have an employee assistance program or are considering one.
Seventy-three% of all firms (59% of small businesss) have an EAP. But how [...]
Staff Member Assistance Program Demand
For many personnel, telecommuting and flex-time are highly desired work-life benefits. But a growing number of corporations are reluctant to offer these programs.
Demand for these benefits remains high. One study found that 87 percent of job applicants are familiar with the idea behind telecommuting and flex-time, and the majority express a desire to have at [...]
Tax Credits for Wellness.
In the near future, the federal government might offer help to companys looking to start a health promotion program. The help would take the form of tax breaks to offset health promotion program costs.
A current United States Senate bill would give companys a substantial tax break for beginning health promotion programs. Dubbed the Healthy Workforce [...]
When it comes to health savings accounts, you have to separate the hype from the reality. Among the big myths – a high-deductible plan with an HSA means lower premiums.
Truly, it varies. In some cases, an HSA-eligible plan may cost the same as a non-HSA high-deductible plan. In others, the premiums can actually be more expensive, a recent NHPI report locates.
As a matter of fact, a non-HSA plan offering similar coverage can carry a monthly per-employee premium that’s about $15 to $25 lower and [...]
Wellness Program Risks.
If your business has this common – and increasingly popular â.” fringe benefit you might be at legal risk without even knowing it.
Many organizations have an on-site employee fitness room as part of a formal health promotion program. Others simply do it as a way for folks to get their juices flowing before work or [...]
Hidden Legal Risk for Employers.
For most firms, voluntary benefits are a win-win arrangement. But there may be hidden risks.
On the positive side, voluntary benefits cost corporations next to nothing, yet boost employees’ morale and benefits satisfaction. An Aon survey found 77 percent of corporations offer at least one voluntary benefit.
But what happens when there’s a legal dispute between one [...]
Why Do Sick Staff Members Come to Work?
In the last few years, “presenteeism” has become an even bigger concern for a lot of businesss than absenteeism. Despite the fact that many HR/benefits managers hate the admittedly overused term, presenteeism is however a real issue in almost every workplace.
Most commonly, presenteeism takes the form of workforce coming to work sick. They’re unproductive and [...]
Wellness Programs and Ethnic Profiling.
In many segments of society, we hear about ethnic and racial profiling in negative ways. But what about when it comes to health promotion programs?
When used for the specific purpose of starting â.” or evaluating â.” a wellness or disease management program, profiling isn’t just legal. It’s also encouraged.
Affects health risks
Different racial and ethnic groups [...]
Health Promotion Program Obstacles.
Almost two-thirds of corporations with health promotion programs offer personnel incentives â.” financial or otherwise â.” to participate.
But only one firm in five has seen major improvement in employees’ health status (and lower costs) within two years of launching the incentive. Here are three keys to getting good results â.” and a red flag for [...]
Health Insurance Company Accountability.
Are your health care programs delivering on your vendors’ promises?
Just as importantly, how can you hold vendors accountable if you’re not getting what you paid for?
Here is one proven way – Create a provider scorecard. Scorecards alone won’t bring down your health care costs. But they’ll at least help make sure your business â.” and [...]