(1 votes, average: 5 out of 5)
Loading ...Lower Deductible Doesn’t Always Help
Many employees look at their benefits package and judge it based on how little they have to spend on Copays and Deductibles. That is obviously an important detail to know before signing up for a benefit, but not the only detail. There are a lot of other plan features to consider when choosing a plan, and most people don't realize it or think about it until they actually have to use the plan.
For example, did you know that most PPO plans have a higher Out of Pocket Maximum than your typical High deductible, 100% plan? That means if something major happens, the difference could be $3500 or $2000 out of pocket, and the latter option has a lower premium! These are generalizations of course, but in many cases they are true. So why doesn't everyone sign on to a plan like the high deductible, 100% plan? Education. They aren't told because employers and brokers are too afraid that the average employee can't absorb the concept, that we are too set in our old ways with copays, deductibles and pharmacy copays. I beg to differ. Employees that are given the information and the time to absorb the information (not a payroll stuffer from the HR Dept), are more apt to make good decisions for THEIR personal situation.
One size does not fit all when it comes to benefits, so make sure your provider and/or HR Department offers choices for you and your employees.
Posted August 26th, 2008 by Aaron Witsoe - Posted in Benefits, Human Resources | | 0 Comments
(2 votes, average: 5 out of 5) Loading ...Low Productivity? Blame high gas prices!
A recent survey completed by Florida State University professor Wayne Hochwarter reveals that when the price at the pump goes up, employee productivity and morale goes down.
“People concerned with the effects of gas prices were significantly less attentive on the job, less excited about going to work, less passionate and conscientious and more tense,” Hochwarter said. “These people also reported more ‘blues’ on the job. Employees were simply unable to detach themselves from the stress caused by escalating gas prices as they walked through the doors at work.”
Hochwarter surveryed over 800 people early this spring when gas prices were hovering around $3.50 per gallon. Everyone surveryed each used their own personal transportation to cummute to work and traveled on average of 15 miles each way.
Some of Hochwarters main points:
The interesting point about this survey is that is was completed in the spring with gas prices significantly lower than what they are today. Here in Arizona, with gas prices hovering around $4.19 per gallon for regular unleaded, I wonder if these same statistics will hold true in our own backyard. I'd be willing to bet the results would be staggering now that the prices have increased and more than likely will continue to rise. I recently heard of a man here in Phoenix taking a significant paycut to find a new employer within walking distance of his home. His only reasoning for it was the cost of fuel since his trip was about 30 miles each way. I personally know people driving double that mileage just to get to work.
Many companies are now getting very creative in an attempt to boost moral and get their employee motivated by helping privide solutions or band-aids for the increased prices of fuel.
A few suggestions we have seen from helpful companies are:
- Organizing car pools
- Telecommuting or allowing employees to work from home a few days of the week (if it's feasible for your position),
- Exchanging tips with one another on fuel coservation
- Pre-Paid Gas Cards as incentives instead of movie and lunch gift certificates
Hmmmm, what would you rather have? A gift certificate for $25 to Chili's or a $25 pre-paid gas card? I'll take the gas!
Posted June 20th, 2008 by Vincent - Posted in Benefits, Human Resources, Other, Productivity | | 0 Comments
(3 votes, average: 5 out of 5) Loading ...Launch a Wellness Program for Your Employees
Creating a wellness program for your company can mean more than just getting in shape. It can mean a whole new lifestyle for all your employees. When you are feeling healthy, you are more energetic and motivated to face each day. Who wouldn't what all their employees to feel great and perform at their best?
In an article from Business Week, "Some companies hand out small cash bonuses or gift certificates for reaching predetermined milestones. Others offer discounted insurance premiums. Still others make it a “team thing” and set up competitions between departments. "
By making heath exciting, everyone will want to join in and be a part of the new family. Make it a priority in your company and watch the benefits exude from your employees.
Posted March 14th, 2008 by admin - Posted in Benefits, Health, Human Resources, Performance Reviews, Productivity, Recruiting, Workers' Comp | | 3 Comments
(2 votes, average: 4.5 out of 5) Loading ...Please, Stay Away if You’re Sick
If you are sick, should you go to work anyways? This is a great debate among many. Staying home to watch tv and lounge on the cough is an easy suggestion, right? To some it may be, but to others a day staying home from work is just creating more work to go back to, or some feel they are indespensible and can’t miss a day, while others just don’t have the time to take work off. Whatever the reason is, is it really a good idea to go in to work when you are under the weather?
An article from Business Week that I ran into goes into great detail of the downfalls of having a sick co-worker show up on the job. “Illnesses like the cold and flu can be spread by physical contact. When we're sick, the people with whom we come into physical contact have a significantly increased risk of coming down with the illness, according to virologists, epidemiologists, and other experts. There is a causal relationship between being sick with a cold or the flu and making others sick by touching them directly or handling an object that they soon touch themselves.”
Some other points brought up in the article for staying away from the office were, if we can actually perfrom to the best of our abilities while not feeling well, getting other co-workers sick, getting co-worker’s families sick, and the last one here that caught my attention, “going to work sick is unfair to your employer. According to a report published in The New York Times in 2006, researchers at Cornell University found that ill workers on the job could account for up to 60% of corporate health costs. The recently coined phrase "presenteeism" speaks to the financial downside of overly motivated workers who bring their upper respiratory illnesses to work with them.
All in all, is it fair to yourself to work when you are not feeling well? I guess that is up to you.
Posted February 29th, 2008 by admin - Posted in Benefits, Health, Human Resources, Other, Productivity | | 0 Comments
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...When you asked them, what did they say?
In meeting with some business owners lately, I started noticing a pattern that could very well be the root of many HR problems…
"I want to increase our benefits offering to our employees…" OR "We need better dental insurance" are phrases we (in the HR industry) have heard many times. Often, these are presented as "THE SOLUTION" - So what is the ACTUAL problem? Turnover, Morale, Productivity, Recruiting, etc.?
So when sitting with these business owners, I find myself asking the same question time and time again:
"So when you [business owner] asked your employees what is the top 5 reasons you (hate, love, would leave, would stay) working here, what did your employees say?
MOST COMMON ANSWER - "Well… I didn't ask"
No matter what the problem - DON'T COME UP WITH THE SOLUTION IN A VACCUMM!!! You might just spend a LOT of money trying to fix a problem on the wrong end…
Just food for thought -
Harry Glazer
Posted January 30th, 2008 by Harry Glazer - Posted in Benefits, Health, Human Resources, Productivity, Recruiting | | 0 Comments
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...AZ Minimum Wage Change January 1
Minimum wage in Arizona is changing just like the year is. It’s going up to $6.90 per hour effective tomorrow. Minimum wage will also be adjusted based on the cost of living yearly. Is it really a good thing to pay a higher minimum wage? What kind of message is it sending, is what I want to know?
Is this a move made to encourage legal workers to step into these low-end positions as illegal immigrants are being weeded out of Arizona business? Just a thought.
Posted December 31st, 2007 by admin - Posted in Benefits, Human Resources, Immigration | | 0 Comments
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...The Karma of Health Care and Employee Benefits
Companies are trying to cut costs…the usual. What ever happened to companies trying to supply benefits for their employees?
It seems simple, if you are an employer and want to have an edge on all the other employers out there, offer great benefits. This will not only give you the benefit of attracting employees, but it also gives you a distinct advantage of retaining them.
This article, from the azcentral.com touches on the increasing costs of health care and how employees are having to pay a higher portion of the costs incurred. A section states, “56 percent, plan to trim their health-care tabs next year by requiring that their employees make a larger premium contribution or pay higher deductibles, co-pays or out-of-pocket contributions, according to survey findings from the Mercer Health & Benefits report.“
How can you go about reminding these employers the importance of having an employee who feels valued? If you scratch your employees back (hint…benefits), they will scratch yours (productivity).
Posted November 14th, 2007 by admin - Posted in Benefits, Human Resources | | 4 Comments
