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How do we deal with employee body odor?
Last Updatedin Employee Relations, Health, Safety & Security
Question: We have an employee with strong body odor and other staff feel it is making them ill at work. How do we address such a sensitive topic? Answer: Addressing personal care issues that affect others at work can be difficult conversations to have. Keep in mind the offending employee may not be aware that they […]
Notice of Creditable Coverage
Last Updatedin Benefits & Compensation
Question: My husband just received a “Notice of Creditable Coverage” at home from his employer. As a Human Resources professional, I’m not sure what this is and I am wondering if I am supposed to be distributing something to my employees? Answer: Yes! The Medicare Modernization Act requires entities, employers with prescription drug coverage, to […]
Who Is Responsible to Provide COBRA Coverage to M&A Qualified Beneficiaries?
Last Updatedin Benefits & Compensation
(By Diane Cross, Compliance Analyst at HORAN. Reposted from HORAN’s Health Benefits Compliance Blog) HR Question: Business reorganizations, such as mergers and acquisitions (M&A), directly impact employee benefits administration – and one consideration is COBRA responsibility. What is our COBRA responsibility as a result of our business sale (or purchase)? is a common question we receive from […]
ERISA’s Summary Plan Description Requirements
Last Updatedin Benefits & Compensation
(By Diane Cross, Compliance Analyst at HORAN. Reposted from HORAN’s Health Benefits Compliance Blog). Question: Are you in compliance with ERISA’s rules regarding Summary Plan Descriptions? Answer: The Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) sets minimum standards for employee benefit plans, providing several rules for private-sector employer sponsored group health plans (governmental and church plans […]
Low Cost Benefit Ideas
Last Updatedin Benefits & Compensation
Question: We are a small business trying to attract and retain staff in this competitive job market. We can only offer so much in compensation. Are there any low-cost benefit ideas you can recommend? Answer: With unemployment levels at a record low, attracting and retaining talent is extremely hard regardless of the size […]
How Can We Address Pay Compression?
Last Updatedin Benefits & Compensation
HR Question: To remain competitive in the marketplace, our company’s upper management decided to raise our minimum rate of pay. Unfortunately, HR was not included in this decision that has now led to salary compression and angry seasoned workers. How do you recommend for our human resources team to handle this? HR Answer: This is […]
Do I Need to Adjust My COBRA Process Due to COVID-19?
Last Updatedin Benefits & Compensation, COVID-19
HR Question: I’ve seen several changes in employee benefits and programs as a result of the pandemic. Do I need to adjust my COBRA process due to COVID-19? HR Answer: Yes, due to COVID-19, there have been many changes to group health plans, pension plans, and other welfare plans, such as COBRA, FMLA, and more. […]