Welcome to Brazen Careerist!
There are networks on Brazen Careerist to discuss all the career issues you are thinking about right now. Join now to start moving your career in the right direction.
Brazen careerist
Where ambitious young professionals connect and grow
Employee Benefits
A place for HR, Insurance, and Finance professionals to discuss the employee benefits environment. Let's try to keep overt sales to a minimum.
Network Leader: Michael Stuart
Shelly Pleasant
I am excited that my company is starting to do webinars to show everyone how we help the uninsured or uninsurable! This is a great and cost effective way to provide a "benefit" to your employess too! Sign up now for a qucik webinar tomorrow night 9/7/11. HERE IS THE CATCH.. I am new to this company so I would really appreciate some feedback..any feedback! That would help me in my new venture! https://www3.gotomeeting.com/register/284417358
Shelly Pleasant
I am part of a discount healthcare company and the more I market my business I am amazed at how many companies do not provide healthcare. Is this trend on the rise?
Rebecca Thorman recommended this
Edward Antrobus:
I've never had a job that offered health benefits. Well, at my last job, after 90 days, we were eligible to buy into discounted dental. Heck, my ...MoreI've never had a job that offered health benefits. Well, at my last job, after 90 days, we were eligible to buy into discounted dental. Heck, my current employer doesn't even match 401k contributions.
I said this in another post here, but I don't even think health insurance is necessary for everyone. I do have health insurance now, through my wife's job, but if I didn't, I would take the tax penalty for not having insurance. It would have been cheaper. Where would I get a plan worth the money for $3000/year?
@Michael, I'm sure there are a lot of municipalities that are just large enough to require a paid fire department, but not large enough for employees bothering to unionize or for the municipality to offer anything above salaries. My hometown is one example, they only switched to paid fire a few years ago, which brought the total of municipal employees (including police) to ~40. Of non-safety workforce, the number is under 10.
23 weeks ago
I said this in another post here, but I don't even think health insurance is necessary for everyone. I do have health insurance now, through my wife's job, but if I didn't, I would take the tax penalty for not having insurance. It would have been cheaper. Where would I get a plan worth the money for $3000/year?
@Michael, I'm sure there are a lot of municipalities that are just large enough to require a paid fire department, but not large enough for employees bothering to unionize or for the municipality to offer anything above salaries. My hometown is one example, they only switched to paid fire a few years ago, which brought the total of municipal employees (including police) to ~40. Of non-safety workforce, the number is under 10.
23 weeks ago
Shelly Pleasant:
Thanks Edward. I have been lucky enough to always have insurance where I was employed. Now that I am self employed I realize how lucky I was!
23 weeks ago
23 weeks ago
Rebecca Thorman
The NY Times reports that most Americans are "Completely Satisfied" with their pay (http://nyti.ms/bbDKE3). At first, I was surprised by this, but then in thinking about my position, I am happy with my salary at the level of my current responsibilities. However, I would love to have MORE responsibilities and MORE money. What about you? Are you happy with your salary?
77 weeks ago from Salary - Negotiating & More, Personal Finance, I am Gen Y, Employee Benefits and JobSTART 1013 more
Elisabeth Ericson recommended this
Jamie Nacht Farrell:
@Ben - people can be happy w/ the money they make and complain about paying taxes b/c the 2 are the opposing forces / theories behind capitalism ...More@Ben - people can be happy w/ the money they make and complain about paying taxes b/c the 2 are the opposing forces / theories behind capitalism and socialism. People MAKING money for their jobs (output) is capitalistic. People paying taxes (taking care of other people with their money) is socialistic.
72 weeks ago
72 weeks ago
Kimberly Palmer:
I agree- more money and more responsibility would be ideal - but I already feel like I am operating at full speed- but more money doesn't seem to ...MoreI agree- more money and more responsibility would be ideal - but I already feel like I am operating at full speed- but more money doesn't seem to be an option in this recession.
69 weeks ago
69 weeks ago
Rebecca Thorman
I think I'd enjoy my commute more if other drivers weren't so stupid. I get so frustrated! My commute is about 20-25 minutes desk-to-desk. I never had a car before this position and even though my hybrid is cute, I hate driving. I'd love to be able to work from home more often if only to avoid the awful commute. Do you all have suggestions on sensible ways to frame this to my boss? I don't have kids like many of my colleagues, so I'm nervous that asking for such an arrangement is selfish...
79 weeks ago from The Boss-Employee Relationship, Productivity & Time-Management, Coworking, Employee Benefits and Company Culture3 more
Mark W.:
Rebecca, one thing you do have control over on your commute is the route. Maybe trying a few different routes on your way to work will help with ...MoreRebecca, one thing you do have control over on your commute is the route. Maybe trying a few different routes on your way to work will help with the traffic, boredom, or whatever. Who knows - you might find a better way. :)
79 weeks ago
79 weeks ago
Rebecca Thorman:
@ Mark - Totally. I actually go one way to work and a different way home. That does help a bit :)
79 weeks ago
79 weeks ago
Rebecca Thorman
I took some last-minute time off last week, but I still came in for a meeting last Thursday. Coming in for the meeting made me realize how lucky I was to have such a great job that was flexible and understanding. I was so happy to be working with such great people. Is your workplace and boss/ co-workers understanding? Do they let you have freedom if you get the job done? How can we better encourage workplaces like this?
80 weeks ago from The Boss-Employee Relationship, Working w/ Colleagues and Co-Workers, Inspiring Leadership, Employee Benefits and Company Culture3 more
Sadya Siddiqui recommended this
Cassandra Jowett:
My boss and co-workers are extremely understanding and accommodating for the rare occasions that I need to take time off work. However, we've ...MoreMy boss and co-workers are extremely understanding and accommodating for the rare occasions that I need to take time off work. However, we've developed a foundation of trust and teamwork and we know we can count on each other. That also means that if I'm taking time off I should make myself as accessible as possible, whether that's responding to urgent emails and phone calls or trying to squeeze a few hours of work in. We're a very small team so it doesn't go unnoticed when someone is absent.
80 weeks ago
80 weeks ago
Pamila Harris-Carlini:
The comments I've read to this point give me hope that "teamwork" hasn't been totally abandoned. I am not in the workforce at this time and my ...MoreThe comments I've read to this point give me hope that "teamwork" hasn't been totally abandoned. I am not in the workforce at this time and my last position was at a company that believed in maximum face-time (although they preached work/life balance) and I'm looking forward to getting back into a company where employees are valued!
80 weeks ago
80 weeks ago
Lindsay Browning
Hi everyone! Lindsay here from Google Staffing in Dublin. I'll be hosting this page so really looking forward to plenty of discussions and content. This month Google was voted most reputable company in Ireland! http://bit.ly/9PQz3T What is it that makes a company reputable?
89 weeks ago from Google, u30pro, I am Gen Y, Professional Development and Employee Benefits3 more
Ryan Healy, Ryan Paugh, Olga Garcia and Wanda and 1 others recommended this
Steve Wright:
Robin is right; it starts with people. Your managers, supervisors, and even your board of directors need to first think how to best serve their ...MoreRobin is right; it starts with people. Your managers, supervisors, and even your board of directors need to first think how to best serve their customers so that they are truly helping and appreciative. Second, they need to help and be appreciative of their employees.
87 weeks ago
87 weeks ago
Beth Cashman
I'm looking for a benefits certification. The two I've looked at are the CBP through World at Work and the CEBS through Wharton. Any opinions on which is better, or does anyone know of other programs I should look into?
Michael Stuart:
I may be biased since I am half-way through my CEBS certification, but I always felt the Wharton curriculum held an edge. Who can argue with one ...MoreI may be biased since I am half-way through my CEBS certification, but I always felt the Wharton curriculum held an edge. Who can argue with one of the best business schools in the country?
104 weeks ago
104 weeks ago
Megan:
In my experience CEBS has better street cred, but either is fine and both are probably the top two to go for. Lots of work and effort either way! ...MoreIn my experience CEBS has better street cred, but either is fine and both are probably the top two to go for. Lots of work and effort either way! Good luck!
104 weeks ago
104 weeks ago
Beth Cashman
I'm looking for a benefits certification. The two I've looked at are the CBP through World at Work and the CEBS through Wharton. Any opinions on which is better, or does anyone know of other programs I should look into?
Michael Stuart
Good tips on communications during Open Enrollment!
http://www.benzcommunications.com/blog/open-enrollment-is-different-this...
Michael Stuart
Anyone have any experience with mobile online benefit enrollment tools? I am fascinated by this..
Michael Stuart
Has anyone had any success using Twitter or other social media to communicate benefit programs??
Beth Cashman:
Michael, have you started to do this with your company? One of my goals this year is to come up with new and creative ways to educate our ...MoreMichael, have you started to do this with your company? One of my goals this year is to come up with new and creative ways to educate our Associates about the various programs our company offers. I've thought about twitter and facebook, but I wasn't sure it the information would be too public then. Thoughts?
104 weeks ago
104 weeks ago
Michael Stuart:
We are launching an intranet blog and Twitter feed in the next couple of weeks. This will coincide with substantial changes to our medical plan ...MoreWe are launching an intranet blog and Twitter feed in the next couple of weeks. This will coincide with substantial changes to our medical plan designs (introducing HDHP/HSA for the first time). It is essentially an experiment, but our 12,000 employees have an average age of about 32 so hopefully it will be accepted. Not concerned with releasing information publicly as we already post plan summaries and rates on our external website. Not worried about others seeing our plan designs/rates.
104 weeks ago
104 weeks ago
