A company or organization can only achieve success through the hard work and dedication of its employees. Those employees need to feel motivated and empowered to produce excellent work. Finding ways to inspire employees is one of the challenges of today’s managers. The conventional solution is to throw money at the problem in the form of bonuses. The best managers … Read More
“Ban the Box” Law Prohibits Inquiries of Criminal History
On June 1st, Connecticut Governor Malloy signed House Bill 5237, An Act Concerning Fair Chance Employment. This new law is referred to as the “Ban the Box” bill. Effective January 1st, 2017, Connecticut employers will be prohibited from asking about criminal history (including prior arrests, convictions and charges) on job applications. Connecticut is now the 19th state to adopt this … Read More
Creating a Healthy Workplace Challenge
Still trying to figure out how to kick off an employee wellness program? The latest trend is to come up with fun and highly motivating group wellness challenges that are not only a great way to increase morale, but that actually promote lifestyle and behavioral change through active participation in wellness goals or competitions over a multi-week period. A … Read More
2016 Federal Budget Delays ACA’s Cadillac Tax & Suspends Two Other Taxes
On Dec. 18, 2015, President Barack Obama signed a federal budget bill for 2016 into law, which makes significant changes to three tax provisions under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). This new law: Delays implementation of the ACA’s Cadillac tax on high-cost group health coverage for two years, until 2020 Imposes a one-year moratorium on the collection of the ACA’s … Read More
Higher minimum wage means higher direct & indirect costs for business owners
The political pressure to enact a $15 federal minimum wage is growing stronger. It’s the stuff of nightmares for business owners, but it may yet become a reality. New York has already passed legislation, with the enthusiastic support of Gov. Andrew Cuomo, to raise the wage bar for fast food workers to $15. It seems inevitable that figure will soon … Read More
Help your employees get the most out of their benefits
Smart business owners know that to attract and retain quality employees, they must provide a congenial working environment where employees can find opportunity for growth, success, and professional satisfaction. Happy, healthy, productive employees make a business stronger and translate into profits and organizational success. Obviously, base compensation is a key recruitment and retention tool and must be competitive, but owners … Read More
How to handle the challenges of an aging workforce
Take a look in the mirror…were those gray hairs there yesterday? Take a look around your office…could you be asking the same question? Nobody’s getting younger, not even me! But the American workforce is rapidly aging, creating a number of challenges for businesses of all types and sizes. The secular trend is stark: From 1976 to 2006, the percentage of … Read More
Obesity: The numbers (and costs) are staggering
I’ll start with a piece of good news: the smoking rate among United States adults declined from 20.9% in 2005 to 17.8% in 2013. There’s still a ways to go, but at least the numbers are moving in the right direction. Now, the (very) bad news: Americans are snuffing out the cigarettes but apparently picking up the cheesecake, because more … Read More
Wellness programs in the workplace: How to get started
I’m passionate about helping businesses keep their employees healthy, happy, and on the job, contributing to their organization’s success. As I’ve written about previously, wellness programs provide measurable ROI that keeps business owners happy. Nearly all owners who started a wellness program in the workplace agree that these programs are effective in mitigating the risk of rising health care costs … Read More
Make men’s health a conversation starter this ‘Movember’
Men are from Mars, women are from Venus, and gender stereotypes are for a different, less egalitarian era. But one stereotype about men really is true: as a whole, males are much more likely than females to avoid doctors, skip out on routine screenings, and pass on preventative care. Men often don’t see a doctor until real damage is done. … Read More