New COBRA Extension Includes Some Twists
They did it again! Congress just passed yet another extension to the COBRA subsidy … and then some. Here’s what you need to know this time.
They missed the deadline by a couple of days, but Congress still managed to extend how long your company will have to offer COBRA coverage to recently departed employees.
Check out this rundown of what this latest extension means to you: read more »
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High Deductible Health Plans with Health Savings Accounts....The Basics
A high deductible health plan, also referred to as a HDHP, H.S.A. or Consumer-Driven Health Plan (CDHP), is a new idea for many employers and employees. Employees, or members, have a high deductible to meet and are responsible for 100% of the cost of their healthcare until that deductible has been met. The member receives healthcare coverage at the carrier’s (CIGNA, Blue Cross Blue Shield, United HealthCare, etc.) discounted rate – whatever amount is outlined in the insurance company’s contract with the provider for services. read more »
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The 2010 HIRE Act
On March 18, 2010, President Obama signed the Hiring Incentives to Restore Employment (HIRE) Act. The 2010 HIRE Act provides tax incentives to the employer for hiring and retaining certain unemployed workers. Below is a summary of the eligibility requirements for this incentive:
Payroll Tax Forgiveness – The 6.2% OASDI Social Security tax liability is lifted for “qualified employees” for any 2010 period starting after the enactment of the legislation (3/18/10). read more »
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7 Phone Interview Tips That'll Make You Shine
In some cases, telephone interviews are a way for employers to “pre-screen” possible job candidates before they are granted an in-person interview. In other cases, employers will conduct the full interview over the phone. Whether you are required to go through a pre-screening or have already been given the interview, you must be more prepared than you would be for an in-person interview, even if you are allowed to interview in your PJ’s. Below are some telephone interview tips to keep in mind so your next phone interview is a success.
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Avoiding Profit Pitfalls
It's often difficult for companies to simply grow their way to bigger profits. But you can gain more profits by learning how to be more profitable without getting bigger.
Perform a Profit Audit
It's amazing how many companies have marketing plans, and perhaps business plans that they can show to their bankers. But very few have taken the extra step of developing
profit plans that could explain to the banker what their real profit potential is down the road. read more »
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The PEO Value Proposition
Become an Employer of Choice
It may be cliché, but a company’s most valuable asset is truly its employees. Small and medium-sized business owners and managers recognize that they must offer a solid benefits plan and employ sound Human Resources (HR) practices if they want to recruit and retain the best and the brightest in today’s competitive labor market. Often times, however, they do not have the time, expertise or resources to adequately manage this process. Partnering with a Professional Employer Organization (PEO) can help with these issues. read more »
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Keep Your Office I-9 Compliant
In the time that I have worked as an HR Consultant, I have stumbled upon a large amount of employers who do not know how to properly fill out their I-9 (Employment Eligibility Verification) documents. This poses a rather large problem in the event that an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent would come through the doors for a file audit, because each incorrectly filled out I-9 will cost an organization between $100-1000 in fines and penalties. Therefore, a company with only 50 employees could be looking at fine amounts in excess of $50,000. read more »
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Best CRM Tool?
The topic of
“choosing a CRM system” has been a hot topic for some of my colleagues and
like-minded professionals on LinkedIn and it created some discussion that you
might find valuable. I worked in the CRM industry for 8 years, so I
understand how confused someone can be when they are suddenly told by their
boss to “go find the best CRM system.” read more »
Using HIT as a ‘Game Changer’ in Health & Healthcare
In late January, the Nashville Health Care Council welcomed a distinguished
panel of experts for a discussion on the current state of health information
technology and the potential going forward to utilize HIT to transform
health and healthcare in America.
Playing to a packed house, “Technology in Health Care: The Value and
The Vision” shared the perspectives of Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer; Harry
Greenspun, MD, chief medical officer for Perot Systems Healthcare Group;
George Lazenby, CEO of Nashville-based Emdeon; and Glen Tullman, CEO
of Allscripts. read more »
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Ten ways to motivate workers
No matter the season, employees need a little motivation now and then. Here are a few suggestions to rev up their engines and motivate them for peak performance. read more »