Employee Benefits

It’s becoming increasingly possible to launch business ventures that are entirely virtual. Some companies no longer have a brick-and-mortar office where employees come to work for eight hours a…

Labor laws in Michigan and other states do not require employers to offer benefits, including health insurance, paid time off and paid sick leave, to employees regardless of hours worked. Federal laws…

Most employers keep their workers in the loop concerning changes to their employment status, such as whether they are full-time or part-time employees, or changes to employee benefit plans. However,…

In many cases, workers rely on their employers to provide access to benefits that they wouldn't be able to afford on their own. These include benefits such as health insurance, retirement savings…

When running a business, coming up with a compensation and benefits package can be a challenging task when you want to ensure that your employees are happy. When you create a benefits package, you may…

A freelancer is self-employed and offers his services to other businesses or individuals but is not contracted to them on a long-term basis. Characteristics particular to a freelancer include work…

Employee benefits brokers can help business owners in a number of ways as they try to determine which benefits packages are best for them and their employees. Due to the number of advantages that…

There are a variety of factors that determine what employee benefits an organization offers. An organization should view benefit packages as part of the total compensation of an employee. Although it…

In business, "vision casting" refers to formulating a motivating, inspiring and precise vision and communicating it widely to all people. By creating a concise vision, leadership can attract people…

Human resources has the difficult responsibility of determining fair and equitable compensation packages for all employee levels. The organization needs to hold the line on cost, since wages and…

The federal Comprehensive Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) of 1986 included a series of provisions to help laid-off workers maintain health insurance plans after separating from their…

The advantages of various employee benefits are two-fold. Employees reap tangible and intangible rewards from employer-sponsored benefit programs, ranging from reduced tax liability to access to…

Companies both large and small offer benefits packages to their employees. These benefits range from paid vacation to health insurance. As time passes, it's unusual for a company not to adjust the…

Discretionary employee benefits include benefits the law does not require the employer to offer. Such benefits might include physical health, mental health and substance abuse, prescription drugs,…

Employee attrition is the reduction of a company's work force. This reduction includes employees who retire, those who leave the company by choice and those who leave at the company's request. Though…

Most employees expect a regular work schedule with set hours. However, a new breed of employee is asking for flex-time scheduling. This type of work schedule is a flexible response to the needs of…

The key to employee interpretation of the communication and actions by supervisors and bosses involves understanding the intent. Employees occasionally view the actions of administrators as a…

American Axle and Manufacturing supplies automobile components to auto manufacturers such as General Motors and Chrysler. It has 8,500 employees globally -- in addition to plants in Michigan, Indiana,…

The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) is federal labor law that mandates a minimum wage and overtime protections for workers, bans child labor and requires employers to pay employees in a timely…

While the cost of paying an employee's salary makes up the majority of the total cost of employment, the cost to provide benefits to an employee adds substantially to a business' cost of hiring an…

Temporary workers are those that work for a temporary agency or for a company full-time or part-time. Due to the nature of the jobs, temporary workers stay in a job only for short periods of time and…

One of the challenges facing anyone in a supervisory position is figuring out how to manage the business part of work while also dealing with a myriad of employee personalities. Nothing says an angry,…

Unemployment insurance, in most cases, is an employer-funded pool of money, out of which displaced workers may receive temporary assistance to defray their basic living expenses. Each state maintains…

In California, in accordance with the federal Social Security act, employers pay federal unemployment insurance to protect employees against being laid off. It is an expense that is based on the gross…

The Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry is responsible for administering the Unemployment Compensation Law. The department has the legal authority to make eligibility determinations, and…

At-Will employment arrangements are designed to allow both the employer and the employee terminate the employment without warning. The employer is bound by federal and state employment laws that…

There is nothing more rewarding than feeling a sense of pride in your job and knowing your workplace values your presence and the work you do. Employee incentive programs matter to a workers, and…

Benefits packages are the incentives provided to employees. They are a form of compensation that can add to a person's salary. Benefits can also help attract talented employees. Companies have a wide…

When the economy declines and unemployment rates are high, finding another job may take longer than anticipated. Like all other U.S. states, Kentucky offers unemployment benefits for those actively…

Salary refers to a specific amount that an employer agrees to pay an employee each pay period, such as weekly, biweekly, semimonthly or monthly. An employer can usually choose to pay employees on an…

While you must work a significant amount to participate in the Virginia unemployment compensation program, it's less about the amount of time you work and more about the amount of money you earn. The…

An ethical breach occurs when someone, within a system or community, makes an ethical choice that sets a standard by which others can make a similar decision. The danger of ethical breaches is that…

When a company develops projects, it seeks to obtain products and services from sellers. The project management and the seller form a business relationship based on contract terms and conditions.…

Temporary employees work for agencies, who in turn send them out to client companies to perform job duties on a temporary basis. Some temporary jobs are temp-to-hire, meaning that after a period of…

Cranky old employees is probably not the best way to think about the older workers at your company. While some people can be frustrating, forcing someone to leave his job or to resign should only be…

Unemployment agencies consider whether workers had a hand in their unemployment situation to determine if they can collect benefits. People usually can collect unemployment compensation if they're not…

In Massachusetts, employers do not have to provide their employees with paid fringe benefits or compensation for time not worked. Employers do not have to pay for their employees' health care,…

In all companies that employ members of staff, it is important that relations between employees and employers are both positive and beneficial to the business. Many companies recognize that employees…

In Maine, employers can demote their employees, terminate them without cause and can discipline them for poor performance by reducing their wages or work hours. However, employers cannot withhold…

Unemployment benefits help bridge the gap between jobs. Workers must file a claim with the state workers' compensation board for unemployment benefits. The compensation board reviews the claim and…

Absent a union agreement or employment contract, an employer in Maine can terminate its employees without notice and without cause. Employers are free to demote their employees by reducing their work…

Health care is expensive, even with an employer-funded insurance plan. The average employee contribution to employer-derived health care is on a steady increase. Employees must contribute more each…

Whistleblowing involves an employee within an organization taking legal action or communicating publicly about illegal or unethical behaviors going on within the organization. Whistleblowers face a…

When you are hired by a company, you are classified as either an exempt or nonexempt employee, based on the types of duties you will perform. Nonexempt employees are not salaried, meaning they must…

When an employee doesn't show up for work, the employer is often placed in a difficult position. While the employee may be reliable, a failure to show up jeopardizes the efficiency of the company.…

The cost of recruiting, hiring, and retaining an employee typically is much higher than the cost of a basic salary. As an employer, not only do you have to pay a standard wage, but you are on the hook…

A tort is a catch-all term used to describe various civil wrongs, or "causes of action." Torts can potentially impact your workplace depending on the nature of the wrong. By being aware of some common…

Health insurance being provided by employers has been a tenet of the American economic system for generations. And as recently as 2000 a solid majority of Americans had heath insurance provided…

A contract of employment is a written agreement between an employee and employer that sets out the terms and conditions of the working relationship. Employment contracts attract and retain employees…

The cash an employer pays to employees is only one component of an employee's compensation. Employers often provide certain benefits to employees in addition to the cash salary or hourly wages.…

Small businessmen are entrepreneurs. They are willing to take risks and put their savings on the line to try to get a new business off the ground. Small businesses are also at a high risk of failing.…

State laws establish the rights injured workers have to receive medical and wage replacement benefits. In Michigan, the Department of Labor & Economic Growth administers the state's workers…

If you are operating a business as a sole proprietor, you must pay income tax on any profits accruing from that business. Of course, the Internal Revenue Service does not tax you on money you must…

Salaried employees who work in California generally receive higher wages than hourly workers regardless of whether they work for organizations that operate in the private or public sector. These…

Recruiting and retaining employees should be one of the focuses of a company's human resources department. There are several advantages to hiring quality employees that can be promoted to management…

Internet employee newsletters are created and distributed by nonprofits and commercial businesses. Advancing technology, particularly the Internet and email tools, makes it easy for employers to keep…

Local courts and New York Department of Labor staff members work to ensure employees who work in the state receive the mandatory benefits and legal rights they deserve. Employees who work in both the…

Employee benefits are incentives that businesses create in order to draw employees to the company and reward them for good performance. Some benefits are bonus plans that award employees that make the…

One question a job applicant must ask to get a thorough understanding of a position's compensation is what type of benefits package the employer offers. Benefits have a very real financial value,…

Salaried employees are paid an annual salary; they are not paid hourly wages. They work for employers for unspecified periods. Temporary workers are paid hourly wages and provide services to employers…

Collective bargaining is another term for workplace unionization. Globally, countries with more coordinated collective bargaining systems have less wage inequality than countries with less developed…

When a company is considering offering benefits to employees, it can be done in a manner that helps all parties involved. There are certain benefits that are not only valuable to the employee, but…

The Labor Management Relations Act of 1947 created the policy of employee welfare benefit plans. Employers and employee organizations, such as unions, can set up and fund plans that benefit employees.…

According to the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics, or BLS, wages or salary make up about 70 percent of the total compensation for the average worker in private industry; the remaining 30 percent is…

Employees who work for the federal government enjoy benefits such as medical and dental insurance, paid vacation time, a retirement plan and a thrift savings account. Many employees in the private…

Being fired from a previous job is not something that you want to tell a prospective employer. However, if you are terminated for a reason other than misconduct, you may be able to collect…

Salaried employees are typically exempt from overtime laws (e.g. chief executive officers, chief administrative officers); they generally earn higher wages than overtime eligible employees, and it is…

Federal employee relocation benefits cover various types of moving assistance. The assistance pays for deliverables related to official moves that government employees must meet, items like placing a…

Federal laws require some workers (e.g. Federal Bureau of Investigation agents) to take drug tests before they start work. Additionally, state and local laws also require professionals such as daycare…

Employees in various industries may desire to obtain further education and training that will benefit them professionally. Increasingly, employers investigate ways to offer tuition reimbursement…

The point of the unemployment benefits program in Texas, as in other states, is to provide a measure of financial help to employees who lose their jobs and are not at fault. For that reason, quitting…

Employers offer employee benefits as financial rewards to employees. These benefits are advantageous to workers beyond their base salary or wage earnings. Benefits help employees manage their…

Many companies now make an employee assistance program (EAP) part of their standard package of benefits. These plans carry a number of important benefits for both employees and employers, allowing…

The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) provides you with 12 weeks of leave per year. Your employer does not have to pay you for the time you are off work, but he must hold your job -- or a job of…

Federal and state laws mandate employer-paid benefits such as Social Security, Medicare, unemployment and workers' compensation insurance on behalf of employees. In addition, most employers provide…

Hiring costs include total compensation costs, which are base salary, overtime or supplemental pay, vacation and other paid time off, the employer's portion of health coverage, employee taxes, and…

The basic relationship between an employer and a worker involves an exchange of labor for wages. But most employers offer some form of additional benefits, which can attract more skilled workers or…

Although part-time workers often receive fewer employee benefits than full-time workers, they still have a right to collect state unemployment benefits. Everyone who applies for unemployment benefits…

Employee benefits are job rewards that function outside of standard salary payments. Employee benefits include bonuses such as ownership in company stock, pension payments, vacation time and numerous…

Training to become a certified employee benefits specialist can lead to a fulfilling career in human resources. With the ever-changing landscape of health insurance, pensions, flexible spending…

Employee opinion surveys are useful in helping human resources staff identify and resolve workplace issues that otherwise would remain undisclosed without administering confidential surveys to solicit…

Employers use a number of strategies to create useful benefit packages for current employees, as well as strategies to attract new employees. Many of the strategies compensation and benefits…

Employee benefits are perks that employees receive when they work for a business. Some benefits are simple and required, based on employer regulations made by the state. But most benefits are up to…

Workers and companies rely on human resource personnel to maintain and manage employee benefit information. Proper maintenance and management ensures that the company remains legally compliant in…

Creating an open enrollment calendar will help both the company's employees and its human resources department keep track of important due dates and meetings. Benefits open enrollment is a carefully…

Employees need resources to contact if they have questions about their benefits package. Most companies provide employee benefit resources in their human resources department to explain benefits,…

Depending on your employer and to a lesser extent the state you live in, you may be able to claim your domestic partner in your benefits package. An increasing number of companies offer the same…

Employee benefits and executive forms of compensation may seem similar, but there are often stark differences, especially when a company faces a bankruptcy. A company bankruptcy rarely leads to a…

Group life insurance is a type of policy that can be purchased by an employer for the use of its employees. Group life insurance is a benefit that many employees appreciate. It can add value to a…

Fringe benefits generally are non-cash remunerations that employees receive in addition to wages or salary compensation. Most people are familiar with common fringe benefits such as health insurance,…

The federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) provides the federal regulations governing each state's covered workforce. The FLSA contains minimum compensation laws, laws governing child labor working…

Employee needs change depending on their personal and family circumstances. With an increasingly multigenerational work force, employers are designing methods to attract new talent and retain…

Even if you perform your job well, you can lose it because your employer doesn't have the money to keep you on or closes your work location. When you lose work through circumstances beyond your…

When job seekers are on the lookout for a new position, one of the factors they consider is what types of benefits the hiring employer offers. As a potential employee, an attractive benefits package…

Communication problems can be a big obstacles to success in day-to-day work activities. The lack of trust in an organization where employees lack effective communication skills or where employees feel…

An organization's growth and ability to reach its potential depends on its investment in "staffing, training and motivation," according to "Managing Human Resources." How and where a firm chooses to…

The major benefits of being a temporary employee are flexibility and variety, but there are other benefits to temporary employment when full-time permanent employment is not an option. Labor market…

Filtering Internet refers to the practice of blocking certain aspects of the Internet for employees. Many companies use at least some type of filtering system for their internet access. Some may use…

The administration of employer-provided health care and other employee benefits is a complex yet important aspect of human resource management. Some benefits are required by law, while others are…

As a business owner or manager, showing appreciation to your workers is key to an employee retention strategy. As Gregory Smith, author of a book on workforce issues, states "Employees don't quit…

Employee benefits are those services such as health care and retirement funding that companies offer to their employees in addition to the salary that they receive. Employee benefits became a more…

An employee benefits administrator is a human resources discipline that administers benefit plans for employees in an organization. These professionals find, negotiate and develop benefit plans such…

Dealing with demotions can be unpleasant for employers and employees, but there are benefits from demotions that aren't always immediately obvious. How the employee reacts to the demotion often…

A healthy workforce is a key element in any business's long term success. Unhealthy workers can drag an entire workforce population down with them by spreading illnesses and contributing to costly…

Although some employers view vacation time for employees as both a benefit to employees and a reduction of company resources, most workers eagerly anticipate their days off. Whether you are starting a…

Uniform Capitalization Rules (Unicap) as defined by Internal Revenue Code Section 263A requires taxpayers to capitalize costs -- both direct and indirect -- that are incurred during pre-sales and…

When considering a job, employees may factor employee benefits into the decision to take or reject a job offer. Employee benefits such as health insurance, 401(k) plans, employee stock-purchase…

A salaried employee is one who receives a predetermined amount of pay, weekly or on a less frequent basis, such as biweekly or semimonthly. This amount can be all or a portion of the employee's pay,…

Employers use third-party administrators (TPA) for human resources (HR) functions such as employee benefits, pension and payroll management. Companies typically retain outside accounting agencies to…

When you want to gather data about the type and cost of employee benefits in a specific area, a survey can be a useful tool. Because surveys are anonymous, responders may feel more comfortable sharing…

Both employers and employees used to think about benefits as a static, predefined package that was the same for all employees of the same seniority except for a few individual insurance options.…

Each company will have its own policies and procedures for qualifying for its benefits. It is important that you, as an employee, know where to turn for information about benefits. Stay in…

Arizona state law and federal labor law require temporary employees in Arizona be paid at least the minimum wage, paid for all hours worked and paid overtime, when applicable. Additional company…

Medical benefits are something to consider before you accept a new job or leave a job. Health insurance, paid for in full or in part by the employer, can save employees thousands of dollars a year on…

Dr. Walter Shewhart of Bell Laboratories invented control charts in 1924. Control charts are extremely common in any industry where you need to monitor performance, such as in health care.

Many different companies and industries employ large part-time workforces. These employees work fewer hours each week than their full-time counterparts and may not perform all of the same duties. But…

As of 2010, 22 states, over 100 municipal governments, 60 percent of Fortune 500 companies and most higher education institutions offered identical benefits to domestic partners and married couples.…

Working for an employer generates paperwork. One important document is an employment agreement, which typically outlines specific features about the employee's position, including wages, benefits and…

Compensation and employee benefits are areas of human resources function that require accurate information, keen understanding of federal and state regulations and the ability to apply your company's…

The Veterans Administration Employee Association (VAEA) is a government employee association for employees of the Department of Veterans Affairs. It sponsors several insurance programs that provide…

Creating effective employee benefit programs typically involve the human resources department. They store and maintain hiring information and distribute benefit packages within a company. Therefore,…

The term whistleblower refers to an individual who shines a public light on illegal or immoral acts that he witnesses within his own organization. Whistleblowing is controversial since employees must…

Controlling employee benefit costs can be a tricky subject for businesses. Every business owner wants happy and healthy employees, and most businesses offer a benefits package to full-time workers…

Including tax-free benefits in employees' salary packages adds value to their employment without increasing their tax burden. Packages tailored to give employees the benefits they need ensure that the…

Employee leasing is a popular human resources option for companies of all sizes. A professional employer organization, or PEO, takes on the burden of payroll, employer taxes and benefits from the…

California workman's compensation benefits were implemented through the Boynton Act of 1913 in order to help alleviate legal issues between employees and employers when a worker became injured on the…

Unemployment insurance (UI) is a program designed to provide financial assistance to taxpayers who have been displaced from work, whether the displacement is a reduction in work hours, a layoff,…

Permanent employees are given certain benefits that temporary workers are not usually offered. These benefits often include participation in the pension and retirement plans of the company. However,…

Manpower planning is the process of placing the most suitable number of employees at the most apt jobs in the most appropriate time frame. This is an exercise that is very critical to the survival of…

Organizational change is when an organization moves from one structural state to another. This process can happen in any number of forms and can involve corporate structure, strategy, processes,…

Human resources technologies, which make obtaining and managing agency benefits uncomplicated, are essential for employee satisfaction. An automated system, providing provides access to personal and…

Employee benefits are just as much a part of compensation as salary. Some organizations place a higher emphasis on benefits and less on direct earnings, while others offer fewer benefits and higher…

Federal government benefits provide employees the opportunity to tailor a benefits package to their personal and family needs. Employees are also able to participate in a full spectrum of training…

Life insurance is a contract in which an insurance company agrees to pay out a set amount of money to a survivor in the event of your death. Employer-provided life insurance provides you with a death…

Employment Practices Liability Insurance (EPLI) covers companies against lawsuits or claims filed by employees, former employees and employment candidates. The insurance coverage protects the company,…

An employee benefit trust often takes the form of a pension or profit-sharing plan set up by an employer to ensure that its employees have an adequate income stream during retirement. Such plans are…

The normative employment context within the United States is "employment at will," meaning either party can terminate the relationship at any time for any reason or for no reason excepting certain…

Employers pay to provide Worker's Compensation, Social Security pensions and unemployment payments to their employees because the law requires it. Many companies offer other benefits beyond the…

A strong employee benefits plan is an essential part of an employee's total compensation package. Employees gain by having easy and inexpensive access to important insurance coverage and having a way…

Employee benefits are one of the critical ways that your company attracts new talent, and then retains that talent for the long-term. Without a benefits package that can compete with other companies…

An increasing number of employers are providing flex scheduling options to their employees. This form of specialized scheduling provides value to employees and their employers, consisting of any…

Are you considering letting some or all of your employees work from home (or some other location of their choosing)? Allowing (and encouraging) employee remote access has many benefits for workers…

Contract agents are also known as independent contractors (ICs). ICs are responsible for all aspects of operating a business while completing the work for their clients whereas employees do not have…

A Canadian can request a five-week extension for unemployment benefits. Canada limits the total weeks in the payment period to 104.

Federal and state governments have far-reaching power over private industry, primarily through the employee benefits that businesses must provide. Start-up businesses must become familiar with these…

Electronic check payments are a faster way to pay and get paid by using the Internet. In order to complete an electronic check payment, you need your bank's routing number and your bank account…

The Healthy Families Act was re-introduced to the 111th Congress in May 2009 and was being reviewed by committee as of October 2009. The bill had been submitted in the past to previous sessions of…

Teleworking can be a benefit to both the employee and the business employing him. A teleworker may work from home or from a satellite office closer to home than the office at which she was hired. The…

Employee benefit enrollment can involve multiple forms or entries into online databases. It's easy to lose track of streams of information that can cause mistakes that result in dissatisfied employees…

Employee leasing programs are used by companies who do not have time, or choose to not have the hassle of human resources services. These staff leasing companies hire your employees and lease them…

Employee benefits are so important because they encourage employees to stay on the job even when there are higher-paying job opportunities. Understand the weight that good health benefits carry with…

In addition to a salary, employees may receive a range of benefits and services from their employers. Benefits and services may vary depending on the employee's position or seniority, but most…

Employers are always looking for ways to increase business revenue and improve the work environment. Sometimes this is done through employee benefit cuts or mandatory human resources meetings.…

Premium conversion is a tax plan that reduces the amount of taxes an employee has to pay. This is an excellent program for companies to enroll in, since the employer can increase the income of the…

Providing extra employee benefits is a cost-effective way to boost morale and cultivate worker loyalty, especially advantageous for small businesses desiring to keep their workers from moving to large…

Regardless of the state of the economy, there will always be competition among companies for the best employees. All things being equal, the best employees will gravitate to jobs where the employee…

Medical coverage has practically become a universal benefit for employees in companies throughout the United States. Employers have a wide range of medical benefits plans available to them, including…

Choosing the wrong employee benefits company can result in increased costs and decreased profits. Choosing the wrong employee benefits company also can lead to many frustrating, unnecessary and often…

Benefits help to attract and maintain top tier employees. They also improve employee morale. Since employers themselves are included in these programs they also derive benefits. Companies often times…

Get a first look at up-and-coming talent by hiring the right intern. Interns are a great way to lessen your own work load while helping your intern gain great references, but make sure you hire a hard…