Equity markets post losses for fourth quarter, Mercer reportsGrowth indexes post gains for 2007 while value records a yearly loss
IncentOne builds more client flexibility, employee choices into its health incentive solutionsLeader in integrated incentive solutions enhances health and productivity options
Employers and Employees Share Rising Costs of Health Insurance in New EnglandBoth organizations and employees in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Rhode Island are facing high costs for health insurance. According to the 2007 results from the Compensation Data - New England survey, 60 percent of companies pay $150 to 349 monthly for each individual’s health insurance premium on an employee only plan. In comparison, 91.7 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.
GroupLink Launches Online Dental Rating SystemComprehensive System Lets Producers Create Custom Proposals in Minutes
Workers Cite Biggest Productivity Barriers in LifeCare® PollAsked 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 wellThis 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.
New Jersey Employers and Employees Share Rising Costs of Health InsuranceBoth organizations and employees in New Jersey are facing high costs for health insurance. According to the 2007 results from the Compensation Data - New Jersey survey, 50 percent of companies pay $150 to 349 monthly for each individual’s health insurance premium on an employee only plan. In comparison, 94.7 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.
William Wolfe Joins LifeCare® as Vice President of OperationsLifeCare®, 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 YearCompany Solidifies Leadership Position, Secures Strategic Wins Over
Competition
Pennsylvania Employers and Employees Share Rising Costs of Health InsuranceBoth organizations and employees in Pennsylvania are facing high costs for health insurance.
Brandon Conroy Joins Buck Consultants as DirectorBrandon Conroy has joined Buck Consultants as a Director in the firm's Pittsburgh office.
MassMutual Demonstrates Commitment to Advisors with New Elite Advisor ProgramMassMutual Demonstrates Commitment to Retirement Advisors with New Elite
Advisor Program
Medical Cost Increase to Accelerate Worldwide Over Next Five Years, WatsonMedical 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.
MEDICAL COST INCREASES TO ACCELERATE WORLDWIDE OVER NEXT FIVE YEARS, WATSON WYATT POLL FINDSMedical 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 RevenueAnnounces Fourth Quarter and Full Year Results
Larry Langer has joined Buck Consultants as a Principal in the firm's Chicago officeLanger 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 retirementHealthFitness 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 RepurchaseUnum 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.
ADP SETS STANDARD FOR BUSINESS PROCESS OUTSOURCING SOLUTIONS More than 100 Clients Live with ADP Including Sodexho, EMC and DCP Midstream
HealthFitness adds more than 25 clients as employers adopt 21st century health benefit designHealth management company reports more than 150,000 health risk assessments, strong growth in 2007
Automated Scheduling, Roster Management and Auditing Features Highlight New Screening SystemEmployment 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 officeDevine 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 ESPNCollege Basketball Sponsorship Shoots to Reinforce Recent Corporate Rebranding
Sandy Shipley Appointed Director of International Partner ManagementPrimacy 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 ManagementTHE AMERICAN HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION HAS SELECTED HR SOLUTIONS’ EMPLOYEE EXIT SURVEYS FOR EXCLUSIVE ENDORSEMENT
Career Expert Relates Finding a Job to Romancing Your ValentineThis 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 StrongThe 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 WomenEven 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
Thinking of Retiring on the Beach? Start Saving NowMost U.S. employees know they should save more for retirement. However with the personal savings rate at negative .5 percent (www.bea.gov/newsreleases/national/pi/pinewsrelease.htm), individuals are spending more than they earn, depleting their savings and increasing debt.
CEO Gregg Lehman enumerates steps towards 21st century health benefit designFrom 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 JobsWorkplace Options' Study of Working Adults Reveals Younger Employees Seek New Levels of Benefits
Securian’s Minnesota Life insures State of Florida employeesMinnesota Life, the nation’s fifth largest group life insurer, now provides more than $14 billion of life insurance
coverage for nearly 160,000 employees and retirees of the State of Florida.
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 toolThe 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 WomenOn 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.
AARP and Jackstreet Media Offer Mature Workers Fast Answers to Top Employment QuestionsRadio program for jobseekers age 50 and over expanded.
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 RetentionIn 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 FunctionalityDue 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 officeSwart 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 RegionThe 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 TechnologyeMergent 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.
SumTotal Systems Announces Preliminary Fourth Quarter 2007 Results A Record Revenue Quarter is Expected - Exceeds Fourth Quarter Guidance
Online navigational tool will help simplify searches for appropriate senior housingCase Management Society of America announces new tool,
the CMSA Senior Housing Locator by SNAPforSeniors®
When it comes to keeping employees happy and productive, nothing tops flexible work arrangementsWhen it comes to keeping employees happy and productive, nothing tops flexible work arrangements, according to a new poll by LifeCare®, Inc., provider of comprehensive specialty care services and a longtime leader in the work/life industry.
Enwisen Continues Momentum – Finishes Record Year with 80 New CustomersCompany Makes Significant Strides by Helping Employers Leverage Innovative Communications Technologies to Engage Today’s Internet-age Workforce
Second Annual CompTIA Creating Futures Charity Golf Classic Set for August 4The CompTIA Educational Foundation announced today that its Second Annual Creating Futures Charity Golf Classic will be held Monday, August 4, in Orlando, Fla.
Enwisen Continues Momentum – Finishes Record Year with 80 New CustomersCompany Makes Significant Strides by Helping Employers Leverage Innovative Communications Technologies to Engage Today’s Internet-age Workforce
An Up-to-Date Resume is Key to Stability in an Ever-Changing CareerWith the job market constantly in motion, it's essential for people to ensure their resume is strong, up-to-date, and available at a moment's notice. Yet too often, people wait until the last minute -- when they're suddenly laid off or interested in a spur of the moment job opportunity -- to begin crafting their resume. One of the most effective ways to stay prepared before it's too late is to turn to a professional resume writer for help, suggests Louise Kursmark, author of the newly released book, The Directory of Professional Resume Writers.
Wellness Corporate Solutions and Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce Partner in Healthy Workforce Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with Wellness Corporate Solutions, encourages employers in Washington, DC, Maryland and Virginia to get their employees exercising with the first annual 2008 in Motion Fitness Challenge, an 8-week fitness challenge in which companies compete to see who has the healthiest workforce based on exercise time.
ExpertPlan Expands Payroll Foothold with 5 New Payroll CompaniesExpertPlan announced it inked deals with five nationwide payroll companies in December 2007, providing each firm with its own fully branded 401(k) product. ExpertPlan now boasts seven new payroll partners since launching its private label 401(k) program within the payroll channel in late 2007. The company, which now has a dedicated sales and relationship management team devoted solely to supporting the needs of its payroll partners, anticipates bringing in over a dozen more payroll companies in 2008.
American Community Partners With Employees to Benefit Three CharitiesAmerican Community Mutual Insurance Company, a leading provider of Individual and Group health insurance, announced today that it has made a $15,000 donation that will benefit three charities.
Secure Talent Helps Clients Affected by Axium International Bankruptcy1099 Compliance and Payrolling Firm Offers Seamless Transitions and Vendor-neutral Consultations.
LifeCare® and Yale University to Offer Fall Prevention Services for Older AdultsThis release announces a new partnership between Yale University and LifeCare, Inc. aimed at delivering a wide range of fall prevention services to managed health care organizations, employers, and professional geriatric care managers nationwide.
Thinking of Retiring on the Beach? Start Saving NowMost U.S. employees know they should save more for retirement. However with the personal savings rate at negative .5 percent (www.bea.gov/newsreleases/national/pi/pinewsrelease.htm), individuals are spending more than they earn, depleting their savings and increasing debt.
Zywave, Inc., announced today additions to Broker Briefcase®, an Internet content libraryZywave, Inc., a leading technology provider of products and services for insurance brokers, announced today additions to Broker Briefcase®, an Internet content library that hosts thousands of customized, agency-branded, templates that facilitate broker-to-client communication. The application contains marketing materials, benchmarking information, educational articles for brokers’ clients and newsletters and other communications for clients’ employees.
Morehead Webinar Presents Geography’s Role in Strengthening Referring Physician Relations Geographic location of targeted physicians an important factor for hospitals in building a successful network of referring physicians
LifeCare®, Inc., is now offering a comprehensive set of fall prevention services to employersLifeCare®, Inc., provider of comprehensive specialty care services and a longtime leader in the work/life industry, is now offering a comprehensive set of fall prevention services to employers, managed health care organizations and professional geriatric care managers nationwide, thanks to a partnership with Yale University and its Connecticut Center for Fall Prevention (CCFP) program -- the first partnership of its kind for the University and the CCFP.
Adicio Launches New HealthCare Job Board for Ascend MediaAdicio, the Internet’s leading developer of web-based classified advertising solutions has announced the launch of TheJobCure.com, a new health care industry-specific job board for Ascend Media, one of the nation's largest business-to-business media companies.
CyberShift to Demonstrate Workforce Management Solution CyberShift to Demonstrate Workforce Management Solution at Upcoming National Retail Federation’s 97th Annual Convention & EXPO
Taking the Temperature of Small BusinessOwners in California Say They’re Squeezed Between Soaring Health-Care Costs and Going Uninsured
Enwisen’s Upcoming Benefits Decision Support Webinar Features Healthcare Cost Containment Case StudyEnwisen’s Upcoming Benefits Decision Support Webinar Features Healthcare Cost Containment Case Study from The Midland Company
Vandover Names New PresidentMargery Marshall has been named president of Vandover, a premier provider of global relocation and career transition assistance.
Morehead Webinar Presents Company’s Physician Affiliation Survey ModelSurvey process collects key data about physician attitudes and behaviors to drive desired outcomes
Buck Consultants Finds Executive Retirement Plans Alive and Well After Final IRS RulesAn overwhelming majority of employers have no intention of terminating their nonqualified executive retirement plans as a result of final Internal Revenue Code rules governing these arrangements.
The Virtual Interactive Educational World for HR Professionals Successfully Launched The Virtual Interactive Educational World for HR Professionals Successfully Launched on December 12-13th, 2007
Frank Hagel Named Chair of Sage SoftwareFrank Hagel, President of Hagel & Company, has been appointed chair of the 10 member Sage Software Specialized Business Solutions Business Partner Advisory Council for 2007-2008. The SBS Division publishes Sage Abra HRMS, including HR, payroll, training management and recruiting software. The division also publishes Sage Timesheet Professional, Carpe Diem, and Timeslips.
U.S. Preventive Medicine Names Frederic Goldstein President, COOAs part of U.S. Preventive Medicine’s (USPM) evolution from a development stage company into an integrated, preventive health services enterprise, Frederic Goldstein has been named President, Director and Chief Operating Officer.
Career Website Jobacle Releases Official 2008 Sick Day CalendarRapidly-growing career 2.0 resource releases its second annual downloadable sick day calendar.
"My Way Out" Earns Number One Spot on Amazon for Alternative RecoveryNew approach for problem drinkers finds a popular niche
WorldatWork Elects 2008 Board of Directors; Tracy J. O. Kofski, CCP, is Chair-ElectWorldatWork has elected its 2008 board of directors to guide the association through its next two years of operations.
Hudson Highland Group Completes Sale of its NetherlandsHudson Highland Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: HHGP) today announced that it has completed the sale of its Dutch reintegration subsidiary, Hudson Human Capital Solutions B.V., to Workx! Holding B.V. ("Workx") for $0.7 million in cash and up to approximately $0.3 million in earn out consideration. Workx is controlled by the former Hudson leadership of this business.
Educate Employees on Shopping for BenefitsMost employees view the task of shopping for medical and retirement benefits as a nightmare. Research highlights one reason for this attitude: Many employees simply don’t understand basic benefits vocabulary. Employee Guide to Becoming a Smart Benefits Shopper is designed to provide employees a roadmap that covers benefits basics and helpful tips, analogies, guidelines and more.
Millions of individuals today are caring for aging family members with Alzheimer's diseaseOne of the best things caregivers can do is to learn what they can about the disease.
Ten Ways to Quiet Your Mind During the HolidaysAuthor Jim Loehr, Ed.D., shows how to use your inner conversations to achieve inner balance, as well as mental, emotional and spiritual wellness during the year-end holidays. Free tools available from author's web site to promote full engagement and energy for life and work.
Auld Acquaintances Should Definitely Not Be Forgot in 2008! Keeping your professional network fresh in an uncertain job market is just one of the important New Year's Career Resolutions suggested by on-line recruiter, WallStJobs.com.
Do you expect to be the primary caregiver for an older loved one within the next five years?The vast majority of respondents to a new caregiving poll by LifeCare®, Inc., provider of comprehensive specialty care services and a longtime leader in the work/life industry, expect to provide care to older loved ones at some point within the next five years.
Life Insurance Companies Facing Pressure to Enhance Financial ManagementIncreased Costs Could Drive M&A Activity
BenefitsCheckUp Has Served Two Million SeniorsNCOA's online service has found nearly $6 billion in benefits for older Americans
Vikram Singh has joined Buck Consultants as a Director in the firm's Secaucus, N.J. officeSingh joins Buck from PricewaterhouseCoopers, where he served as Senior Consultant. His expertise includes consulting on prescription drug benefits, pharmacy benefit management, health care cost containment strategies, vendor selection, and Medicare Part D issues.
Corporate Counseling Associates Expands Southeast U.S. Operations with Miami LocationNew region to launch January 1, 2008; will serve existing and new customers in Florida, Georgia, the Carolinas and Alabama
Vikram Singh has joined Buck Consultants as a Director in the firm's Secaucus, N.J. officeSingh joins Buck from PricewaterhouseCoopers, where he served as Senior Consultant. His expertise includes consulting on prescription drug benefits, pharmacy benefit management, health care cost containment strategies, vendor selection, and Medicare Part D issues.
Health Coaching a Key Employee Benefit in Controlling Healthcare Costs One of the biggest concerns of employers is containing the high cost of employee benefits – particularly healthcare expenses.
Wellsphere Launches Next Generation Online Wellness Community Wellsphere Launches Next Generation Online Wellness Community to Help You Keep Your New Year's Resolutions
Personalization and social support key to sustaining healthy lifestyle.
Does Your Resume Irk Hiring Managers?For most job seekers, their resume will play the most significant role in their job search. Yet too often, it doesn't stand a chance of standing out from other resumes because it is too broad to make an impact on employers. In his newly released book, career expert Michael Farr teaches job seekers how to master the art of writing resumes that focus on the specific needs of the employer.
Healthcare Services Management, Inc. Launches HealthcareITCareers.comHelping Information Technology Professionals Looking for Jobs in Healthcare
Focusing on careers in the growing field of healthcare information technology, Hingham, MA based healthcare IT staffing firm Healthcare Services Management, Inc. (HSM) launches HealthcareITCareers.com, a website devoted to connecting the top hospitals, consulting firms and vendors with industry talent.
Texas Health Care Costs Increase in 2007Sixty-three percent of companies had a health insurance premium increase, according to the Compensation Data 2007 – Texas annual survey of 289 employers.
Health Coaching a Key Employee Benefit in Controlling Healthcare Costs One of the biggest concerns of employers is containing the high cost of employee benefits – particularly healthcare expenses.
Watson Wyatt Study Reveals Strong Link Between CEO Realizable Pay andPerformanceBroad-Based Stock Option Reductions Continue, While Forfeitures Increase
WorldatWork Highlights Key Predictions for Human Capital Management in 2008 and BeyondWorldatWork has released eight key predictions that showcase the trends and events that will change the nature of human capital management in 2008 and beyond. Media contact: Marcia Rhodes at mrhodes @ worldatwork.org.
FPS Umbrella Offers Recruiters Top Tips to Keep Tip Top This ChristmasPayroll services provider sends 1000 hangover kits to help recruiters cope during the holiday season.
MedZilla.com Releases its November Employment Outlook Numbers for BiotechnologyIn the month of November, employer searches for clinical research associates increased sharply, while most other positions remained flat in both supply and demand. The MedZilla.com Employment Report analyzes the numbers for November 2007 and announces the findings.
All I Want for the Holidays is a Cure for the Workplace BluesCeridian LifeWorks offers blues breaking tips for the holidays.
SeniorCareMarketer.com Research to Reveal Best Practices in Marketing and Selling in the Senior CareHow prevalent are the use of blogs, podcasts and other Web 2.0 tools by suppliers in the senior care marketplace? Are print advertising budgets being reduced in 2008? Will senior care vendors attend fewer tradeshows? These questions and more will be answered in an upcoming research report titled, "Trends in Senior Care Marketing: Where Suppliers Spent Marketing and PR Dollars in 2007, and What's Ahead in 2008."
Hospital Productivity Improvement Demonstrated Through Use of American Healthcare Solutions' American Healthcare Solutions was contracted for a SHARP Staffing engagement with TLC Health Network in Gowanda, New York. Since AHS has implemented its SHARP Staffing tool, TLC has seen great improvements in management and staffing to volume and has been able to demonstrate a nearly 4 percent reduction in FTEs.
Cost of Co-Pays Increases in PennsylvaniaWith prescription costs on the rise across the country, Compdata Surveys reviewed the cost of co-pays over the last three years in Pennsylvania.
The symptoms of workplace and personal stress have a familiar faceImpatience, apathy, poor anger management, and lack of common politeness are but a few.
Cost of Co-Pays for Non-Formulary and Formulary Drugs Increases in New JerseyWith prescription costs on the rise across the country, Compdata Surveys reviewed the cost of co-pays over the last three years in New Jersey.
LifeCare® Wins Multiple Gold Awards in International MarCom Competition Award-winning webinar and podcast being made available as free downloads