HCW Benefits Blog

HCW Benefits Blog http://www.hcwbenefits.com/blog en HCWBenefitsBloghttp://feedburner.google.com If Employees Opt-Out of Their Healthcare Plan, Do You Offer Compensation? http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/HCWBenefitsBlog/~3/2-HR9PkRgPg/if-employees-opt-out-their-healthcare-plan-do-you-offer-compensation <p><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:view> <w:Zoom>0</w:zoom> <w:TrackMoves /> <w:TrackFormatting /> <w:PunctuationKerning /> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas /> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:saveifxmlinvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:ignoremixedcontent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext> <w:DoNotPromoteQF /> <w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:lidthemeother> <w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:lidthemeasian> <w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:lidthemecomplexscript> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables /> <w:SnapToGridInCell /> <w:WrapTextWithPunct /> <w:UseAsianBreakRules /> <w:DontGrowAutofit /> <w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark /> <w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp /> <w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables /> <w:DontVertAlignInTxbx /> <w:Word11KerningPairs /> <w:CachedColBalance /> </w:cachedcolbalance></w:word11kerningpairs></w:dontvertalignintxbx></w:dontbreakconstrainedforcedtables></w:dontvertaligncellwithsp></w:splitpgbreakandparamark></w:dontgrowautofit></w:useasianbreakrules></w:wraptextwithpunct></w:snaptogridincell></w:breakwrappedtables></w:compatibility> <m:mathPr> <m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math" /> <m:brkBin m:val="before" /> <m:brkBinSub m:val="--" /> <m:smallFrac m:val="off" /> <m:dispDef />...</m:dispdef></m:smallfrac></m:brkbinsub></m:brkbin></m:mathfont></m:mathpr></w:donotpromoteqf></w:validateagainstschemas></w:punctuationkerning></w:trackformatting></w:trackmoves></w:worddocument></xml></p><a href="http://www.hcwbenefits.com/blog/if-employees-opt-out-their-healthcare-plan-do-you-offer-compensation"> » Read the full post online</a><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/HCWBenefitsBlog/~4/2-HR9PkRgPg" height="1" width="1"/> http://www.hcwbenefits.com/blog/if-employees-opt-out-their-healthcare-plan-do-you-offer-compensation#comments Human Resources Wed, 22 Feb 2012 21:16:37 +0000 739 at http://www.hcwbenefits.com http://www.hcwbenefits.com/blog/if-employees-opt-out-their-healthcare-plan-do-you-offer-compensation What Does Your Company Culture Look Like? http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/HCWBenefitsBlog/~3/j3u2pLF4p3w/what-does-your-company-culture-look <p><img style="vertical-align: middle; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; display: block;" src="http://www.hcwbenefits.com/files/2011logo_new-slogan_hi-res_1.jpg" alt="CAI" width="240" height="100" /></p> <p><em>This is a guest blog post from our HR partner CAI. CAI is a trusted resource for N.C. employers for HR, compliance and people development.</em></p> <p>Creating a positive workplace that values and motivates your workforce will help you weather any business obstacle. Employees who view their workplace positively are more likely to invest in the company, produce high-quality work and be brand ambassadors. Even in a tough economic climate, a positive culture will encourage employees to continue giving their best work because their leadership is committed to doing the same.</p> <p><img style="float: right; margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 10px;" src="http://www.hcwbenefits.com/files/20120214_culture.jpg" alt="Company Culture" width="344" height="225" />A positive company...</p><a href="http://www.hcwbenefits.com/blog/what-does-your-company-culture-look"> » Read the full post online</a><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/HCWBenefitsBlog/~4/j3u2pLF4p3w" height="1" width="1"/> http://www.hcwbenefits.com/blog/what-does-your-company-culture-look#comments Human Resources Wed, 15 Feb 2012 15:58:43 +0000 729 at http://www.hcwbenefits.com http://www.hcwbenefits.com/blog/what-does-your-company-culture-look What is Effective Human Resources Communication? http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/HCWBenefitsBlog/~3/m9MRnk55j8c/what-effective-human-resources-communication <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><img style="float: left; margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 10px;" src="http://www.hcwbenefits.com/files/chris-tutino.jpg" alt="Chris Tutino, Communications Specialist" width="95" height="136" />Contributor:</span></strong><br />Chris Tutino, Communications Specialist<br /><em>Hill, Chesson & Woody</em></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>At HCW Employee Benefit Services, we have a number of routine communications that are researched, written and disseminated to our clients, each of which has their own purpose and delivery schedule. The goal is to provide key information in a way that is purposeful, convenient and informative.  These pieces include:</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Benefits Bulletins</span> – Whenever one of our carriers has something to report about online resources, policy changes, or anything else that may impact client benefit plans, this brief update gives clients’ group decision makers an...</p><a href="http://www.hcwbenefits.com/blog/what-effective-human-resources-communication"> » Read the full post online</a><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/HCWBenefitsBlog/~4/m9MRnk55j8c" height="1" width="1"/> http://www.hcwbenefits.com/blog/what-effective-human-resources-communication#comments Fri, 10 Feb 2012 19:41:20 +0000 728 at http://www.hcwbenefits.com http://www.hcwbenefits.com/blog/what-effective-human-resources-communication Misclassifying Employees Can Have Unintended Consequences http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/HCWBenefitsBlog/~3/HQAX9Bss0Ow/misclassifying-employees-can-have-unintended-consequences <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><img style="float: left; margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 10px;" src="http://www.hcwbenefits.com/files/joy-binkley.jpg" alt="Joy Binkley, Principal, Health and Welfare Benefits" width="95" height="136" />Contributor:</span></strong><br />Joy Binkley, Principal, Health & Welfare Benefits Consultant<br /><em>Hill, Chesson & Woody</em></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has announced a new, voluntary correction program that allows employers to reclassify employees who are currently misclassified as 1099 “independent contractors” when they should actually be reported as “W-2 paid” employees. Known as the Voluntary Classification Settlement Program (VCSP), employers who are not currently being examined by the IRS are <a href="http://www.ogletreedeakins.com/publications/2011-09-29/employers-get-misclassification-tax-relief" target="_blank">allowed to eliminate years of past...</a></p><a href="http://www.hcwbenefits.com/blog/misclassifying-employees-can-have-unintended-consequences"> » Read the full post online</a><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/HCWBenefitsBlog/~4/HQAX9Bss0Ow" height="1" width="1"/> http://www.hcwbenefits.com/blog/misclassifying-employees-can-have-unintended-consequences#comments Wed, 01 Feb 2012 19:56:42 +0000 725 at http://www.hcwbenefits.com http://www.hcwbenefits.com/blog/misclassifying-employees-can-have-unintended-consequences Employees are Internal Consumers of Healthcare Plans http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/HCWBenefitsBlog/~3/l1U0-nweWMs/employees-are-internal-consumers-healthcare-plans <p><img style="float: left; margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 10px;" src="http://www.hcwbenefits.com/files/chris-tutino.jpg" alt="Chris Tutino, Communications Specialist" width="95" height="136" /><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Contributor:</span></strong><br />Chris Tutino, Communications Specialist<br /><em>Hill, Chesson & Woody</em></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>The employee benefits arena is really interesting, especially when you think about it in terms of consumerism.  While I don’t pretend to be an expert in either of those topics (employee benefits or consumerism), I am starting to draw some conclusions as they relate to the reduction in healthcare costs for employers, employees and (yes) insurance carriers.</p> <p>In today’s healthcare environment, claims drive insurance rates. And, where are claims initiated? They begin with the consumer. Nothing can be charged by a healthcare provider (doctor, hospital, surgeon, etc.) if an...</p><a href="http://www.hcwbenefits.com/blog/employees-are-internal-consumers-healthcare-plans"> » Read the full post online</a><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/HCWBenefitsBlog/~4/l1U0-nweWMs" height="1" width="1"/> http://www.hcwbenefits.com/blog/employees-are-internal-consumers-healthcare-plans#comments Thu, 26 Jan 2012 16:18:59 +0000 722 at http://www.hcwbenefits.com http://www.hcwbenefits.com/blog/employees-are-internal-consumers-healthcare-plans Health Savings Accounts – 3 Situations Human Resources Professionals Should Know http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/HCWBenefitsBlog/~3/NbQ3LSLNOpA/health-savings-accounts-%E2%80%93-3-situations-human-resources-professionals-should-know <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><img style="float: left; margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 10px;" src="http://www.hcwbenefits.com/files/dax-hill.jpg" alt="Dax Hill" width="95" height="136" />Contributor</span></strong>:<br />Dax Hill, Principal, Health & Welfare Consultant<br /><em>Hill, Chesson & Woody</em></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>So, you’ve just gotten through your benefits open enrollment and you signed up for your company’s health savings account (HSA). You probably decided to take part because you know about the triple tax savings advantages of HSAs:</p> <ol> <li>Your money goes in tax free</li> <li>It grows tax free and</li> <li>It comes out tax free (when used for qualified medical expenses)</li> </ol> <p>Ultimately, most people who enroll in an HSA understand the basics:</p> <ol> <li>An HSA is used in conjunction with a High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP).</li> <li>An HDHP is a medical plan that has a high deductible that you...</li></ol><a href="http://www.hcwbenefits.com/blog/health-savings-accounts-%E2%80%93-3-situations-human-resources-professionals-should-know"> » Read the full post online</a><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/HCWBenefitsBlog/~4/NbQ3LSLNOpA" height="1" width="1"/> http://www.hcwbenefits.com/blog/health-savings-accounts-%E2%80%93-3-situations-human-resources-professionals-should-know#comments Human Resources Wed, 18 Jan 2012 17:59:49 +0000 713 at http://www.hcwbenefits.com http://www.hcwbenefits.com/blog/health-savings-accounts-%E2%80%93-3-situations-human-resources-professionals-should-know Employees with Emotional Intelligence Succeed in Tough Business Climates http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/HCWBenefitsBlog/~3/THSRixrcsFs/employees-emotional-intelligence-succeed-tough-business-climates <p><em><img style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src="http://www.hcwbenefits.com/files/2011logo_new-slogan_hi-res_1.jpg" alt="CAI" width="240" height="100" /></em></p> <p><em>This is a guest blog post from our HR partner CAI. CAI is a trusted resource for N.C. employers for HR, compliance and people development.</em></p> <p style="text-align: left;">The economy is still slow to recover, budgets continue to be conservative and staffs remain lean. Producing good work under stressful conditions can be challenging for many employees. The country’s high unemployment rate created a highly competitive job market, which now allows employers to be more selective in their hiring decisions. In order to continue to reach their goals, organizations realize that they need workers who can persevere through tough economic times or strenuous business situations, as well as understand the needs and feelings of their coworkers.</p> <p style="text-align: left;">...</p><a href="http://www.hcwbenefits.com/blog/employees-emotional-intelligence-succeed-tough-business-climates"> » Read the full post online</a><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/HCWBenefitsBlog/~4/THSRixrcsFs" height="1" width="1"/> http://www.hcwbenefits.com/blog/employees-emotional-intelligence-succeed-tough-business-climates#comments Human Resources Wed, 11 Jan 2012 15:54:55 +0000 710 at http://www.hcwbenefits.com http://www.hcwbenefits.com/blog/employees-emotional-intelligence-succeed-tough-business-climates Top 5 Employee Benefit Plan Communication Resolutions http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/HCWBenefitsBlog/~3/0S9HdCVxHDg/top-5-employee-benefit-plan-communication-resolutions <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><img alt="Chris Tutino, Communications Specialist" width="95" style="float: left; margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 10px;" src="http://www.hcwbenefits.com/files/chris-tutino.jpg" height="136" />Contributor:</span></strong><br />Chris Tutino, Communications Specialist<br /><em>Hill, Chesson & Woody</em></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>If you made any resolutions for 2012, they were probably of a personal nature rather than business related. However, as 2012 is already off and running, there are <a href="http://www.hrcommunication.com/Main/Articles/7329.aspx" target="_blank">five ways you can communicate</a> with your employees in the New Year that can help to keep morale high, even when the news you have to deliver may be less than desirable. After all, the research shows that a lean employee benefit plan that is communicated well is perceived more favorably than a rich plan that is communicated poorly.</p> <p><strong>1....</strong></p><a href="http://www.hcwbenefits.com/blog/top-5-employee-benefit-plan-communication-resolutions"> » Read the full post online</a><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/HCWBenefitsBlog/~4/0S9HdCVxHDg" height="1" width="1"/> http://www.hcwbenefits.com/blog/top-5-employee-benefit-plan-communication-resolutions#comments Human Resources Wed, 04 Jan 2012 19:01:48 +0000 702 at http://www.hcwbenefits.com http://www.hcwbenefits.com/blog/top-5-employee-benefit-plan-communication-resolutions Working at HCW is Truly an Employee Benefit http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/HCWBenefitsBlog/~3/CvhmSsdI7Gs/working-hcw-truly-employee-benefit <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><img style="float: left; margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 10px;" src="http://www.hcwbenefits.com/files/stephanie-clark.jpg" alt="Stephanie Clark, Marketing Coordinator" width="95" height="136" />Contributor:</strong></span><br />Stephanie Clark, Marketing Coordinator<br />Hill, Chesson & Woody</p> <p style="text-align: left;"> </p> <p style="text-align: left;"> </p> <p style="text-align: left;">December marks the time of year when people are inspired to reflect on the last 365 days that seemed to fly by. Looking back on 2011, HCW has had a number of reasons to celebrate. 43 of those reasons happen to be our awesome staff. We’ve begun to notice our break room getting more and more crowded at our monthly staff meetings, but we’re squeezing in and making room for the new family members. And these lucky individuals get to know quickly what it means to work at HCW…</p> <p style="text-align: left;">...</p><a href="http://www.hcwbenefits.com/blog/working-hcw-truly-employee-benefit"> » Read the full post online</a><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/HCWBenefitsBlog/~4/CvhmSsdI7Gs" height="1" width="1"/> http://www.hcwbenefits.com/blog/working-hcw-truly-employee-benefit#comments HCW Company News Tue, 20 Dec 2011 17:22:12 +0000 698 at http://www.hcwbenefits.com http://www.hcwbenefits.com/blog/working-hcw-truly-employee-benefit Healthy Employees are Good for Morale and the Bottom Line! http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/HCWBenefitsBlog/~3/pw7WDZ3ua1E/healthy-employees-are-good-morale-and-bottom-line <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><img style="float: left; margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 10px;" src="http://www.hcwbenefits.com/files/twyla-hutchins.jpg" alt="Twyla Hutchins, RN, BSN, COHN-S, Medical Management Officer" width="95" height="136" />Contributor:</strong></span><br />Twyla Hutchins, RN, BSN, COHN-S, Medical Management Officer<br /><em>Hill, Chesson & Woody</em></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><img style="float: right; margin: 5px;" src="http://www.hcwbenefits.com/files/healthiestemployers2.jpg" alt="HCW Congratulates its Healthy Employer Clients!" width="450" />HCW wants to extend heart-felt congratulations to our clients who won the <a href="http://www.bizjournals.com/triangle/news/2011/12/09/tbj-flash-healthy.html" target="_blank">Healthiest Employers of the Triangle</a> award given by the Triangle Business Journal. This recent event honored 20 local companies that support a healthy environment for their employees and HCW is very proud to...</p><a href="http://www.hcwbenefits.com/blog/healthy-employees-are-good-morale-and-bottom-line"> » Read the full post online</a><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/HCWBenefitsBlog/~4/pw7WDZ3ua1E" height="1" width="1"/> http://www.hcwbenefits.com/blog/healthy-employees-are-good-morale-and-bottom-line#comments Wellness Mon, 19 Dec 2011 21:51:05 +0000 697 at http://www.hcwbenefits.com http://www.hcwbenefits.com/blog/healthy-employees-are-good-morale-and-bottom-line