Posted By bahim on Feb 20, 2019
Owners of small and mid-sized businesses often face tough choices with regard to their operating budgets. This dilemma might lead you to concentrating too many tasks into one department, or even attempting to juggle it all yourself. While this pioneering mindset is admirable, setting aside your HR needs could be a costly mistake in the long run. Let’s break down the two primary ways that a solid HR program will benefit your business, and help you to grow. HR saves you money. An experienced human resources department can help you detangle the web of costs and penalties associated with having employees. For example…. The potential cost of lost productivity, rehiring, onboarding and training expenses from one bad hire: $50,000 The potential penalty for wage and hour violation under the Fair Labor Standards Act: $10,000 The potential cost of each Occupational Safety and Health (OSHA) violation: $7,000 And these are just a few examples of the liabilities faced by business owners. That’s why each dollar invested in HR saves 10 dollars in long-term investigation and litigation costs. A good HR program can even make you money. A key goal of an effective HR program is to successfully engage employees and boost productivity. But how do those goals translate to your bottom line? According to researchers at Cornell University, a review of several hundred companies found that those who invested in key HR practices saw… A 22 percent boost in sales growth 23 percent faster profit growth Turnover decreased by 67 percent They also found that these companies enjoyed… Greater customer retention Higher productivity More operating income Increase in referrals Lower employee absenteeism Fewer safety incidents Contact us to learn more about establishing an effective human resources program. It’s not as difficult as you might believe, and the benefits speak for themselves. Sources for stats: Cornell University Watson Wyatt Entrepreneur.com St Cloud University...
Read More
Posted By bahim on Feb 7, 2019
Cancer is the dreaded word that no one wants to hear from their doctor. Unfortunately, according to the American Cancer Society, one in three of us will receive that diagnosis at some point during our lifetimes. The risk grows greater as we age, too; Nine in ten cases are in adults over age fifty. Cancer comes in many forms, and can affect any system within the body with varying degrees of severity. However, the tips to reduce your risk are pretty straightforward, and include the following: Don’t smoke. One in three cancer cases is related to smoking. Avoid secondhand smoke. Avoid alcohol, or at least cut back. Maintain a healthy weight – those within their recommended weight range reduce their risk of cancer by 18 percent. Exercise regularly – at least 30 minutes of moderate activity every day. Avoid contracting viruses that can contribute to cancer, such as HPV, which is contracted by having unprotected sex. Talk to your doctor about lifestyle choices that increase your cancer risk. Be honest; your doctor is not there to judge you. Avoid radiation in all forms, and have your home tested for radon levels. Avoid using known carcinogenic chemicals. If you must use these chemicals, such as for work, follow all safety guidelines precisely. Women who breastfeed lower their risk of developing breast cancer, so consider this option if you have children. Avoid hormone replacement therapy unless absolutely necessary. Avoid sunburns – stay indoors during the middle of the day, use swimsuit cover-ups, wear sunglasses and a hat, and use sunscreen. Research medications carefully, prevent some health conditions by making responsible lifestyle decisions, and use only those drugs that are absolutely necessary. Occasionally we discover that long-term use of a drug can increase cancer risk. Eat a healthy diet – fruits and vegetables lower your cancer risk, while sugar, fried foods, and processed meats increase your odds. And of course, make sure to schedule all recommended routine screenings. While cancer is sometimes the result of bad luck, and even occurs in people who carefully maintained their health, early detection makes an enormous difference in survival rates. Talk to your doctor about the screenings you should be attending, so that you can seek the earliest possible treatment if you ever do develop a form of cancer. Finally, if you’re worried about your cancer risk and the cost of treatment, you should know that it is possible to add a supplemental cancer insurance policy to your coverage. These plans help to pay for expenses associated with cancer treatment, such as co-pays, deductibles, diagnostic tests, hospital stays, treatments, and procedures. Some even help with the...
Read More
Posted By bahim on Jan 19, 2019
Good news abounds for our economy, but a changing business environment equals changes for employers. The low national unemployment rate means that workers have a bit more power in choosing jobs that best suit their needs and desires, and employers must become a bit more competitive in return. While health insurance and other benefits will always remain at the top of most prospective workers’ wish lists, we’re definitely seeing some changes in those preferences. The one-size-fits-all approach to healthcare plans and wellness programs is increasingly being replaced by a smorgasbord of options. Today’s workers want a menu of options, so that they can keep their current physicians, seek specialized care, engage in specific wellness programs, and essentially structure their benefits plans to best meet their individual needs. When you’re developing a health and wellness program for your company, consider the following three factors. Check out the competition. You already know that in business, it’s important to keep your eye on trends. After overall compensation, benefits programs are the second most important important factor to workers looking for new employment. Investigate options offered by similar employers, and seek to keep your benefits program competitive. Communicate with current and prospective employees. Good leaders know that involving the whole team in important decisions makes everyone happier with the final outcome. Ask employees what health benefits or wellness programs are most important to them, and how you can improve the workplace for everyone. Offer customizable benefits. The team’s desires might sometimes overshadow the individual’s needs. Offering a customizable menu of health and wellness options is the best way to ensure that each employee is satisfied with their benefits package. And of course, we know that healthy, happy employees are loyal and productive workers. Some of today’s popular customizable options include: Allowing employees to choose specific hospitals or doctors Different levels of healthcare plans (with different deductibles and premiums) Flexible work options Employee family leave Life and/or disability insurance Employee discounts to local retailers or attractions Wearable device allowances Health club memberships or onsite gyms Identity theft protection Financial planning resources Pet insurance Contact us to learn more about customizable health and wellness benefits. We can help you put together a menu of popular options, to appeal to today’s diversified and discerning...
Read More
Posted By bahim on Jan 6, 2019
Now that January first has come and gone, you might be getting started on your New Year’s resolutions. But what if you forgot to sign up for a health insurance plan during Open Enrollment? The deadline for coverage beginning January 1 was December 21… So what now? Are you going without health insurance for the next year? No, you still have a chance to enroll for health insurance. The final deadline is January 15, for coverage that begins February 1. If you hurry, you can still get a health insurance plan in place beginning next month. Otherwise, if you miss that deadline, then you might be out of luck until Open Enrollment begins in the fall. But under certain conditions, you could qualify for a Special Enrollment period. These conditions include, but are not limited to, these common circumstances: You are eligible for Medi-Cal (in this case, you can sign up any time during the year) You lose your current health insurance coverage, due to job loss or some other circumstance COBRA coverage expires (unless it’s because you didn’t pay your premium) You turn 26 years old, and can’t be covered under your parents plan anymore Your student health coverage expires You move and gain access to new plans You are released from prison You get married, divorced, or add a child to your family If you do experience a qualifying event, please remember that you must apply for new coverage within 60 days of the event. Otherwise, you will miss the opportunity, and will have to wait until Open Enrollment begins on October 15 (for coverage beginning January 1, 2020). What you apply for health insurance coverage, you will supply information related to your family size, income, home address. Based on these factors, you might qualify for a subsidy to help with the cost of your premiums. If you need help enrolling in a health insurance plan, please contact us right away. We can also help you during the year, if you need to determine whether a situation qualifies you for a Special Enrollment period. If you’ve already enrolled, but know someone who hasn’t, please refer them to us! We can help get them enrolled before the deadline on January...
Read More
Posted By bahim on Dec 6, 2018
The deadline for sending out 1095 forms to your employees has been extended by roughly 5 weeks. The new deadline applies to the 2018 Minimum Essential Coverage (Section 6055) and the Large Employer Shared Responsibility (Section 6056) reporting forms. The original deadline, by which forms 1095-B and 1095-C must be provided to employees, was January 31. Now, you have until March 4 to get these forms distributed. Remember, this extended deadline only applies to the date by which you must send 1095 forms to your employees. You must still file these forms with the IRS by February 28, if you are filing fewer than 250 paper forms, or by April 1 if filing electronically. If your employees have already filed their taxes before receiving their forms, they won’t be required to amend their returns. However, they should file forms 1095-B or 1095-C in their records, in case they are needed later. Who is responsible for reporting? If you have employ fewer than 50 full-time workers and self-fund your health plan, you only need to report the Minimum Essential Coverage for employees covered by the plan (using the 1095-B). Form 1095-B will be completed and mailed out by your insurance provider. Large employers (more than 50 full-time employees or equivalent) must complete Form 1095-C for all full-time, covered employees and their dependents. Large employers who self-funded a health plan will use Form 1095-C for all individuals covered under that health plan. Contact us for more information. Yes, these regulations can get confusing. If you have any questions about the forms you need to file, please don’t hesitate to contact us. Even with the deadline extension, it is always a good idea to get started early to prevent any...
Read More
Recent Comments