Human Resources: Benefits

More Companies, Workers Adopt Consumer-Directed Health Plans
Nearly Half of Employers Now Have CDHPs, Watson Wyatt/National Business Group on Health Survey Finds

SOCIAL MEDIA: THE NEXT FRONTIER IN EMPLOYEE COMMUNICATION
Watson Wyatt Experts Say Social Media Can Benefit Employers;Guidelines for Use, Change Management the Key

MORE COMPANIES, WORKERS ADOPT CONSUMER-DIRECTED HEALTH PLANS
Nearly Half of Employers Now Have CDHPs, Watson Wyatt/National Business Group on Health Survey Finds

Travis Software Releases Spring 2008 Upgrade for WebCOBRA.com
Travis Software Corp., a market leader of advanced employee benefits software, announced today the Spring 2008 upgrade of its WebCOBRA.com system. The new version offers more enhanced features, including expanded API, sub-domains, and coupon enhancements.

Pension Protection Act Updates to Benefits Compliance Book
With basic employment safeguards to communicate to senior management, this reader-friendly summary of federal laws by WorldatWork is essential when it comes to compliance in employee benefit plan design, maintenance and operation.

Long-Term Care: Issues and Programs for Executives and Board Members
Long-term care is fast being recognized as an essential part of retirement planning. The average cost of a private nursing home room is already over $76,000 a year.

Travis Software Corp., announced today the Spring 2008 upgrade of its WebCOBRA.com system
The new version offers more enhanced features, including expanded API, sub-domains, and coupon enhancements.

March Madness Fuels Office Gambling
Harmless pools, online streaming of games entice potential problem gamblers

Vandover Announces Keith Allen as Vice President, Business Development
Relocation Industry Expert Creates Strategic Partnerships

Education Level and Marital Status Among Factors Influencing 401(k) Investing
Education Level And Marital Status Among Factors Influencing 401(k)Investing, Watson Wyatt Finds

RSM McGladrey, Receives The Conference Board Moving Into the Future Award
RSM McGladrey, a leading accounting, tax and business consulting firm, received The Conference Board’s Moving Into the Future Award for their innovative Coach-on-Call WorkLife solution. The annual award features companies that creatively address workplace issues that yield positive impact.

BrokerageBuilder(TM) and BrokerageBuilder Express(TM) offer a range of services for any size agency
Zywave®, a leading technology provider of products and services for insurance brokers, announced today a new addition to BrokerageBuilder(TM), its Web-based, agency management system.

RSM McGladrey Receives The Conference Board Work Life Leadership Council’s Moving Into the Future Aw
RSM McGladrey, a leading accounting, tax and business consulting firm, received The Conference Board’s Moving Into the Future Award for their innovative Coach-on-Call WorkLife solution. The annual award features companies that creatively address workplace issues that yield positive impact.

Workscape Recaps Banner Year; 2007 Record Sales Growth Attributed to New Clients and Strong Product
Company’s Unique Leadership Position in Talent Management and Benefits Administration Categories Further Supported by Numerous Successful Implementations, Strategic Relationships and New Product Offerings

SAPPHIRE ‘08 May 5 - 7 ORLANDO, FLORIDA
SAP will host its annual customer event, SAPPHIRE ’08, in Orlando, Florida from May 5th – 7th at the Orange County Convention Center. Please reserve these dates on your calendar. An official invitation with logistical details and press agenda information will follow within the coming weeks.

Vandover Announces Keith Allen as Vice President, Business Development
Relocation Industry Expert Creates Strategic Partnerships

Standing Out: Benefits That Impact Recruitment
The number of Texas organizations actively recruiting has increased over the last five years from 83.7 to 95 percent. In this competitive market, employers must look to a variety of benefits to stand out. While most companies include time off, health insurance and pension plans as part of their compensation packages, there are other types of benefits organizations are utilizing, such as dependent parent health coverage, tuition reimbursement, child care and relocation assistance.

Maryland and Virginia Organizations Search for Employees in 2007
The competition for top performers is heating up as 98.8 percent of organizations are actively recruiting, according to the results from the 2007 Compensation Data - Maryland/Virginia survey of 260 employers.

Prescription Co-Pay Costs Increase in United States
Despite decreases in generic prescription costs by large retailers, formulary and non-formulary co-pays continue to increase.

Standing Out: Benefits That Impact Recruitment
The number of Pennsylvania organizations actively recruiting has increased over the last five years from 85.3 to 96.2 percent.

Standing Out: Benefits That Impact Recruitment
The number of Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi organizations actively recruiting has increased over the last five years from 83.8 to 95.3 percent. In this competitive market, employers must look to a variety of benefits to stand out.

Leading EAP Provider Announces Three Major Executive Appointments
ACI Specialty Benefits – one of the nation’s Top Ten EAP providers – is excited to announce the appointment of three top executives: Thomas Lee as Vice President of Global Sales, Danelle Pereira as Director of AppleCore Wellness and Ike Okenwa as Global Benefits Executive.

MassMutual to Acquire The First Mercantile Trust Company From SunTrust Banks, Inc.
Agreement will expand MassMutual's Retirement Services business; An 'important strategic step forward'

Standing Out: Benefits That Impact Recruitment
The number of California organizations actively recruiting has increased over the last five years from 85.5 to 95.7 percent. In this competitive market, employers must look to a variety of benefits to stand out.

Standing Out: Benefits That Impact Recruitment
The number of New York organizations actively recruiting has increased over the last five years from 92.6 to 96.6 percent. In this competitive market, employers must look to a variety of benefits to stand out.

New White Paper Examines the Hallmarks, Advantages of a Strategic EAP over Gatekeeper Benefit Models
“EAPs: Commodity or Workforce Investment?” now available to download from Corporate Counseling Associates

Standing Out: Benefits That Impact Recruitment
The number of Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Rhode Island organizations actively recruiting has increased over the last five years from 89.6 to 95.4 percent. In this competitive market, employers must look to a variety of benefits to stand out.

Providence Health Care Named a Best Employer for New Canadians
Providence Health Care (PHC) has been selected as one of the 20 Best Employers for New Canadians for 2008, a designation that recognizes the nation's best employers for recent immigrants.

International Talent Wars: Making your job offer stick in 13 different countries
How do you recruit managers in India, administrative assistants in China, and engineers in Germany? Data from around the globe reveals the secrets of winning the war for talent, answering the question ‘why join?’ in 13 different countries.

The Benefits of Balance: Combating Stress in the Workplace
The stress that employees face in their personal lives is only just a part of their struggle to maintain a healthy work/life balance. When everyday workplace stress is added to the equation, this balance can seem unattainable, and productivity suffers. As an employer, there IS something you can do to help your employees take control of their daily stress management while protecting your organization from the high costs related to lost productivity, absenteeism and turnover, and even increased health care costs.

This webcast will run from 11:00am ET to 12:00 noon ET.

Colorado and Utah Organizations Search for Employees in 2007
The competition for top performers is heating up as nearly all organizations are actively recruiting, according to the results from the 2007 Compensation Data - Colorado/Utah survey of 105 employers

Mercer's Investment Management Business Announces Key Organizational Changes to Support Growth
Mercer's Investment Management Business Announces Key Organizational Changes to Support Growth. Global Assets Under Management nearly double in two year period ending

Arizona, New Mexico and Nevada Organizations Search for Employees in 2007
The competition for top performers is heating up as 98.8 percent of organizations are actively recruiting, according to the results from the 2007 Compensation Data - Southwest survey of 170 employers.

EMPLOYERS USING BENEFITS ENROLLMENT SYSTEMSTO DRIVE EMPLOYEE BEHAVIOR CHANGE
Employers most satisfied when enrollment systems, related resources are integrated

Creating a World Class HR Shared Services/Call Center Organization
Join us for this informative webinar to learn more about creating an effective, world-class HR Shared Services/Call Center using innovative knowledge, decision support and case management solutions from Enwisen, the leader in innovative workforce communications technologies.

Enwisen Names John McLaughlin Vice President of Finance
Enwisen, a leader in on-demand workforce communications solutions, today announced that John McLaughlin has joined the company as vice president of Finance, bringing an extensive background in finance and accounting.

Texas Organizations Search for Employees in 2007
The competition for top performers is heating up as 95 percent of organizations are actively recruiting, according to the results from the 2007 Compensation Data - Texas survey of 289 employers. Voluntary turnover is at 13.5 percent for all industries in the state, while total turnover is 19.5 percent.

New England Organizations Search for Employees in 2007
The competition for top performers is heating up as 95.4 percent of organizations are actively recruiting, according to the results from the 2007 Compensation Data - New England survey of 160 employers. Voluntary turnover is at 11.4 percent for all industries in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Rhode Island, while total turnover is 17.2 percent.

Infohrm Announces Industry Consortiums for Human Capital Measurement
Will address sector-specific workforce planning, reporting, and analytics challenges.

Marathon Health Appoints Jerry Ford Chief Executive Officer
Marathon Health today announced that Jerry Ford has been appointed chief executive officer of the company.

Cullen Bunn Named Vandover’s Vice President of Marketing
Cullen Bunn Named Vandover’s Vice President of Marketing - Career Management and Relocation Transition Firm Leverages Internal Talent to Further Strengthen Foothold in Market Cullen Bunn has been appointed to the position of Vice President of Marketing and Communications for Vandover, a St. Louis-based career management and relocation transition firm.

Unhappy Workers Often Turn to Spirituality for Direction
As job satisfaction rates continue to decline, many job seekers and workers are hoping to find their career calling through faith, according to a recently-released book by America's Career and Life Coach, Susan Britton Whitcomb.

Marathon Health Appoints Jerry Ford Chief Executive Officer
Veteran Healthcare IT Executive Joins Onsite Corporate Health Services Provider

New York Employers and Employees Share Rising Costs of Health Insurance
Both organizations and employees in New York are facing high costs for health insurance. According to the 2007 results from the Compensation Data - New York survey, 72 percent of companies pay $150 to 349 monthly for each individual’s health insurance premium on an employee only plan. In comparison, 78.7 percent of employers pay more than $450 on family plans. For these employers, the cost to cover a family for an entire year is over $5,400.

California Employers and Employees Share Rising Costs of Health Insurance
Both organizations and employees in California are facing high costs for health insurance. According to the 2007 results from the Compensation Data California survey, 72.2 percent of companies pay $150 to 349 monthly for each individual’s health insurance premium on an employee only plan.

"Corporate Eldercare Programs: Their Impact, Effectiveness and the Implications for Employers."
LifeCare®, Inc., provider of comprehensive specialty care services and a longtime leader in the work/life industry, has issued the findings of an 18-month study of the impact of workplace eldercare programs entitled, "Corporate Eldercare Programs: Their Impact, Effectiveness and the Implications for Employers."

MassMutual Issues Corporate Responsibility Report
Report cites corporate responsibility as an integral part of business strategy

Study of Corporate-Sponsored Eldercare Finds GCM Programs Improve Presenteeism of Working Caregivers
LifeCare®, Inc., provider of comprehensive specialty care services and a longtime leader in the work/life industry, has issued the findings of an 18-month study of the impact of workplace eldercare programs entitled, "Corporate Eldercare Programs: Their Impact, Effectiveness and the Implications for Employers."

Few Employers Addressing Workplace Stress, Watson Wyatt Surveys Find
Workplace stress is the most frequently cited reason U.S. employees consider leaving their jobs. While employers acknowledge that stress is affecting business performance, few are taking steps to address it, according to two surveys by Watson Wyatt Worldwide, a leading global consulting firm.

Employers and Employees Share Rising Costs of Health Insurance in Maryland and Virginia
Both organizations and employees in Maryland and Virginia are facing high costs for health insurance. According to the 2007 results from the Compensation Data - Maryland/Virginia survey, 72.2 percent of companies pay $150 to 349 monthly for each individual’s health insurance premium on an employee only plan. In comparison, 67.6 percent of employers pay more than $450 on family plans. For these employers, the cost to cover a family for an entire year is over $5,400.

UnicornHRO® Partners with AdminiStrategia, Announces Mexican Payroll Solution
Partnership with Mexico City administrative and accounting services provider results in one stop shop for companies’ HR and payroll needs

Institutional plans post negative fourth-quarter returns but annual 2007 returns remain positive
All equity asset classes decline with the exception of emerging markets

URAC launches online decision support tool to ease housing, care transitions
Senior Housing Locator® available free on URAC portals for consumers, health care management organizations, employers and policy makers

Cornerstone for Healthcare™ Selected as a 2008 SIIA CODiE Award Finalist
Cornerstone OnDemand Helps Healthcare Professionals Manage and Develop Their People; Comply With Joint Commission Standards

Southwest Employers and Employees Share Rising Costs of Health Insurance
Both organizations and employees in Arizona, New Mexico and Nevada are facing high costs for health insurance.

Colorado and Utah Employers and Employees Share Rising Costs of Health Insurance
Both organizations and employees in Colorado and Utah are facing high costs for health insurance.

Employers and Employees Share Rising Costs of Health Insurance in Pacific Northwest
Both organizations and employees in Oregon, Washington and Idaho are facing high costs for health insurance. According to the 2007 results from the Compensation Data - Pacific Northwest survey, 62.5 percent of companies pay $150 to 349 monthly for each individual’s health insurance premium on an employee only plan. In comparison, 67.7 percent of employers pay more than $450 on family plans. For these employers, the cost to cover a family for an entire year is over $5,400.

Equity markets post losses for fourth quarter, Mercer reports
Growth indexes post gains for 2007 while value records a yearly loss

IncentOne builds more client flexibility, employee choices into its health incentive solutions
Leader in integrated incentive solutions enhances health and productivity options

GroupLink Launches Online Dental Rating System
Comprehensive System Lets Producers Create Custom Proposals in Minutes

Workers Cite Biggest Productivity Barriers in LifeCare® Poll
Asked to name the single biggest barrier to on-the-job productivity last year, the majority of workers cite being "overloaded," according to a new poll by LifeCare®, Inc., provider of comprehensive specialty care services and a longtime leader in the work/life industry.

New Brunswick hospital helps employees be well
This Valentine’s Day, Atlantic Health Sciences Corporation in Saint John, N.B., will give its 5,000 employees the chance to find out just how healthy they are and how best to stay healthy.

AIRS releases complimentary 2008 Job Board Directory
AIRS has released the fourth annual Job Board & Recruiting Technology Directory. The Directory provides a compilation of information on general, niche and specialty job boards, applicant tracking solutions and cross-posting tools. Your complimentary issue is now available – simply click here - http://www.airsdirectory.com/mc/forms_jobboard.guid

William Wolfe Joins LifeCare® as Vice President of Operations
LifeCare®, Inc., provider of comprehensive specialty care services and a longtime leader in the work/life industry, announced today that William Wolfe has joined the company as vice president of operations, responsible for overseeing the organization's award-winning Call Center and for leading the company's efforts in service delivery, quality assurance, and network development and logistics. In addition, Mr. Wolfe will lead the upcoming launch of LifeCare's Benefits Communication service, which will offer members and employees at client organizations a single point of contact and expertise for all of their benefits (medical, dental, vision, work/life, wellness, etc.).

Halogen Announces Record Year
Company Solidifies Leadership Position, Secures Strategic Wins Over Competition

Pennsylvania Employers and Employees Share Rising Costs of Health Insurance
Both organizations and employees in Pennsylvania are facing high costs for health insurance.

Brandon Conroy Joins Buck Consultants as Director
Brandon Conroy has joined Buck Consultants as a Director in the firm's Pittsburgh office.

MassMutual Demonstrates Commitment to Advisors with New Elite Advisor Program
MassMutual Demonstrates Commitment to Retirement Advisors with New Elite Advisor Program

How HR Can Educate the Healthcare Consumer
Healthcare consumerism is here to stay, as medical plan designs keep evolving to place more responsibility on members to consume health services wisely. Whether you have introduced high deductible plans with HSAs, raised deductibles or shifted premium costs to employees, your workforce needs considerable support through the transition. How can HR guide them up the seven steps to becoming smart healthcare consumers? We’ll explore this question and share some ideas on how to fine-tune your portal strategy.

Medical Cost Increase to Accelerate Worldwide Over Next Five Years, Watson
Medical cost increases for employers throughout the world are expected to accelerate over the next five years, according to a poll of insurance companies conducted by Watson Wyatt Worldwide, a leading global consulting firm. The poll also found that, in a vast majority of countries, medical cost increases are outpacing the general rate of inflation.

HRsmart Announces Stellar 2007 Results Reflecting Growth In Revenue, Client Base and Workforce
Attributes Success to Strong Alliances & Expanded Global Presence

MEDICAL COST INCREASES TO ACCELERATE WORLDWIDE OVER NEXT FIVE YEARS, WATSON WYATT POLL FINDS
Medical cost increases for employers throughout the world are expected to accelerate over the next five years, according to a poll of insurance companies conducted by Watson Wyatt Worldwide, a leading global consulting firm.

SumTotal Systems Reports Record Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2007 Revenue
Announces Fourth Quarter and Full Year Results

Larry Langer has joined Buck Consultants as a Principal in the firm's Chicago office
Langer joins Buck from Gabriel, Roeder, Smith & Company, where he headed its Chicago office. In addition to his consulting and client management expertise, Langer's experience includes responsibility for financial results, staff development, execution of business strategy, and new business.

John Griffin, Jim Reynolds, MD join executive team; Jerry Noyce announces retirement
HealthFitness announces executive changes: chief operations officer and new medical officer appointed; vice chairman retires John Griffin, Jim Reynolds, MD join executive team; Jerry Noyce announces retirement

Unum Group Announces $350 Million Accelerated Share Repurchase
Unum Group (NYSE: UNM) announced today that it repurchased approximately $350 million of its outstanding common stock from Morgan Stanley using an accelerated share repurchase agreement.

HealthFitness adds more than 25 clients as employers adopt 21st century health benefit design
Health management company reports more than 150,000 health risk assessments, strong growth in 2007

Automated Scheduling, Roster Management and Auditing Features Highlight New Screening System
Employment Background Investigations, Inc. (EBI), an industry leader in the global http://www.ebiinc.com/services/background_checks_and_employment_screening.htm [background screening], http://www.ebiinc.com/services/urine_drug_testing.htm [drug testing] and http://www.ebiinc.com/services/occupational_healthcare_solutions.htm [occupational healthcare] solutions arenas, has recently unveiled RandomTracTM, its new cutting-edge drug and alcohol screening management solution.

Doreen Devine has joined Buck Consultants as a Principal in the firm's Secaucus, NJ office
Devine joins Buck from Aon Consulting, where she served as Vice President and Key Account Manager. Her expertise includes executive benefits consulting focusing on life insurance, deferred compensation, and SERPs.

COLONIAL LIFE GOES “ONE ON ONE” WITH ESPN
College Basketball Sponsorship Shoots to Reinforce Recent Corporate Rebranding

Sandy Shipley Appointed Director of International Partner Management
Primacy Relocation, a leading provider of employee relocation and global assignment management services, today announced the appointment of Sandy Shipley, CRP, GMS, CERC, as Director of International Partner Management. Based in Primacy’s Dallas office, Shipley will oversee the Supply Chain Management practice, providing oversight for the company’s sourcing, selection, evaluation and on-going training of international partners. She will report to Jim Edwards, CRP, GMS, Vice President of Supply Chain Management.

HR Solutions' Product Added to AHA-endorsed Platform of Tools for Hospital HR Management
THE AMERICAN HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION HAS SELECTED HR SOLUTIONS’ EMPLOYEE EXIT SURVEYS FOR EXCLUSIVE ENDORSEMENT

First Annual South Carolina Workers’ Comp Conference will take place on February 28 – 29, 2008
The premiere conference features invaluable insights from 24 South Carolina and Southeastern U.S. leaders and experts who will innovatively present proven and cutting-edge cost-containment solutions, administrative strategies, and professional guidance in an interactive learning environment. The Director of the South Carolina Department of Insurance and a key chief lobbyist for business interests will report and opine on the evolving impact of South Carolina’s 2007 workers’ compensation omnibus legislative reforms, Governor Mark Sanford’s Executive Order, and new workers’ compensation developments and trends affecting employers and workers throughout the state during 2008.

Career Expert Relates Finding a Job to Romancing Your Valentine
This Valentine's Day you might be looking for love. You might also be looking for a job. Fortunately, the art of wooing your love interest and impressing potential employers requires many of the same strategies, according to one career expert.

Nonprofit Pay Increases are Strong
The average salary adjustment for staff positions in nonprofit organizations increased by almost 4.0% from 2006 to 2007 according to a new study released by Total Compensation Solutions (TCS) a human resources consulting firm.

Heart Disease #1 Killer Among Women
Even Small Lifestyle Changes Can Lower Risk for Heart Disease

Mercer creates advanced Rx benefit design, Dx-Rx Pairing
Mercer creates advanced pharmacy benefit design based on latest medical evidence Dx-Rx Pairing(tm) represents state-of-the-art innovation, addresses barriers to patient compliance

CEO Gregg Lehman enumerates steps towards 21st century health benefit design
From research to practice: HealthFitness, Eastman Chemical Company case study demonstrates real-world health gains and productivity savings CEO Gregg Lehman enumerates steps towards 21st century health benefit design in Jan. 30 audioconference

Survey Shows Younger Employees Less Satisfied with Jobs
Workplace Options' Study of Working Adults Reveals Younger Employees Seek New Levels of Benefits

Mercer creates advanced Rx benefit design, Dx-Rx Pairing
Mercer creates advanced pharmacy benefit design based on latest medical evidence Dx-Rx Pairing(tm) represents state-of-the-art innovation, addresses barriers to patient compliance

Social Work Today magazine announced the launch of an online senior housing navigational tool
The new resource, which was developed by SNAPforSeniors, is called the Social Work Today Senior Housing Locator and can be found at socialworktoday.com.

New Book Reveals the Wage Wars between Men and Women
On average, women earn a mere 75 percent of what men employed in the same occupation earn, according to The Editors at JIST, authors of the recently released reference Salary Facts Handbook. In the book, the authors shed light on the pay disparities between men and women and offer advice on how women can maximize their opportunity to earn equal pay for their employment.

EBI, iCIMS Announce Enhancements to Strategic Alliance
Leaders in Talent Management broaden technology interface saving Customers Time and Money

FMI Introduces Mid-Size Construction Compensation Surveys
Three New Products Provide Comprehensive, Market Niche Compensation & Benefits Data and Analysis for the Construction Industry

Premier Benefits Intelligence Provider OCI Expands Operations with New Office in Denver
New business office in Denver joins the Cheyenne, Wyoming Service Operations Center as OCI expands in order to accommodate growth.

WorldatWork Announces $100,000 in Grants to Further Research on Employee Attraction and Retention
In its second year of grant making, WorldatWork, the total rewards association, has announced it will again fund grants for research projects to further knowledge on the best ways to reward and incent employees, from compensation to employee benefits, work-life balance to recognition and career development.

BROKERHUNTER.com is Pleased to Announce the Launch of Enhanced Functionality
Due to shifts in the industry, as well as, demand from our clients and candidates we have expanded our service to encompass additional job functions within the Insurance industry.

Kelly Swart has joined Buck Consultants as a Principal in the firm's Pittsburgh office
Swart joins Buck from Mercer Human Resource Consulting. Her expertise includes retirement program design, funding, financial management, and administration.

Health Care Cost Containment and Reduction Methods Vary By Region
The Benefits USA 2007/2008 survey of more than 5,400 benefit plans found 65.8 percent of organizations nationally use wellness programs to contain costs, while 34.5 percent are increasing the employee portion of the premium.

Arthur Warady Joins eMergent Benefit Solutions, LLC, as EVP of Technology
eMergent Benefit Solutions, LLC ('EBS') is pleased to announce that Arthur D. Warady has joined the company as Executive Vice President of Technology. In this capacity, Warady will play a key leadership role in the continued development and communication of EBS' technology strategy and vision.