A recent surge in on-demand pay benefits offers employers a powerful tool to reduce employee financial stress. With workers increasingly squeezed by economic uncertainty and the rising cost of living, the ability to access wages immediately is becoming a highly sought-after benefit. Offering this perk can boost worker loyalty, motivation, and productivity.
Only eligible individuals can establish HSAs and make contributions (or have them made on their behalf). An individual’s eligibility for HSA contributions is typically determined monthly as of the first day of the month.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is devoting more attention to scrutinizing employers' in-house medical programs for general duty clause violations related to alleged medical mismanagement of injured workers. With medical mismanagement claims on the rise, now is the time for employers to thoroughly evaluate their onsite treatment programs and make changes to reduce the risk of citations.
A series of high-profile bills recently cleared a key Senate committee which could substantially impact employers' obligations regarding unions, pay equity, and paid leave. The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) committee on June 21 advanced three bills — the Richard L. Trumka Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act, the Paycheck Fairness Act and the Healthy Families Act. All three have companion legislation in the House.
The June 27 deadline has passed, and employers should now have updated workplace posters reflecting the expanded rights of employees under certain federal Acts. The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA), enacted at the end of June, and the Providing Urgent Maternal Protections for Nursing Mothers Act (PUMP Act), enacted last December, grant additional protections that must appear on mandatory postings.
The passage of the Providing Urgent Maternal Protections for Nursing Mothers Act (PUMP) represents a major step forward for breastfeeding moms in the workplace. However, simply complying with the new requirements with dedicated lactation spaces and break times is just the starting point. To truly support working mothers, organizations must go further to bridge the gap between pumping and performing job duties.
Paid time off policies have come a long way from their inception, transitioning from set vacation days to paid personal days and floating holidays. Unlimited PTO takes this evolution a step further by removing a set number of days entirely. Still a relatively new concept, only 8 percent of employers currently offer unlimited vacation, according to a 2023 SHRM survey.
To get ready for open enrollment, employers who sponsor group health plans should be aware of the legal changes affecting the design and administration of their health plans for plan years beginning on or after Jan. 1, 2024.
Many remote professionals seek public spaces with Wi-Fi for a change in scenery during the work day. This can reduce feelings of claustrophobia, create healthy boundaries between work and home life and increase daily enjoyment. However, a poorly planned remote work excursion can also reduce focus, decrease productivity and increase cyber risk.
Many employees continue to feel financially strained because of inflation. With open enrollment fast approaching, inflation could impact the choices employees make when it comes to their benefits. Specifically, employees are likely to consider which benefits matter the most and how to optimize the money they spend on those offerings. As a result, this year’s open enrollment may be more challenging than usual for employers and benefits providers.
