Managing Benefits Plans is the result of combining two newsletters into one, stronger report. Managers who oversee the enrollment, communications, and administration of employee benefits are the best subscribers to MBP. Titles include: HR Mgr., VP Benefits, Benefits Director, Personnel Director, Controller, CFO, et al. The goal of MBP is to provide readers objective, original data that can help them control the cost of their benefits plans without sacrificing quality. Structuring, maintaining, and enhancing successful employee benefits packages with the latest techniques and technical solutions available are covered in each issue. MBP also shows readers the latest trends in plan design, cost-cutting tactics, and much, much, more.
The economic downturn is forcing many U.S. companies to reduce, cut, or temporarily suspend their tuition reimbursement programs. Other organizations, however, plan to leave their tuition reimbursement programs intact. A little over 79 percent of the 493 employers surveyed in 2008 by the Seattle-based Institute for Corporate Productivity (i4cp), for example, said they have no plans to change their tuition assistance programs (see table).
With the number of layoffs reaching record highs, having a remaining workforce that is present and productive is paramount. In an effort to control absenteeism and other time away from the workplace, many more employers are moving toward paid time-off (PTO) banks.
With cases of swine flu spreading and causing concern and panic among employees, employers need to keep employees safe, calm, and informed and encourage practices that can help to contain the spread of the influenza virus, according to workplace health and safety experts we interviewed.
Mergers & Acquisitions: Benefits, Compensation and Other HR Issues, San Francisco, July 8-10; Chicago, July 13-15; and New York and Charlotte, NC, Oct. 19-21. Contact: WorldatWork, 877-951-9191; fax: 480-483-8352; info@worldatwork.org; www.worldatwork.org.
Over 500,000 Participants Eligible for COBRA Subsidies
Nearly 503,000 plan participants were eligible for federally subsidized COBRA health care continuation coverage as of April 1, according to a report released by the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans (IFEBP).
President Obama said May 13 that momentum for passage of health care reform legislation is growing in the House and Senate, helped along by support from health care stakeholders so "we dont have any excuses" for not getting reform done in 2009.
Employers Scaled Back on Company Benefits in 2007, Chamber of Commerce Study Says
Reduce Rate of Health Benefit Cost Increases by Raising Deductibles
Issue: A 5,000-employee services company in Texas sought ways to increase cost sharing despite the difficult economy.
Managing Benefits Plans is part of...