News

The pandemic presented many learning opportunities for organizations as they pivoted and learned how to be resilient during uncertain times. The 2020 open enrollment season was one such opportunity, and many employers rose to the challenge by exploring new ways to engage and educate their employees about their benefits. With open enrollment approaching and hybrid/remote…

The COVID-19 pandemic shook the job market in ways never before seen. For one, it created so much uncertainty that employees who would’ve typically searched for a new job last year decided to stay put. For another, the pandemic prompted workers to take stock of their circumstances and consider what workplace perks matter most to…

Health care costs have been rising steadily for years, and that’s not expected to change any time soon. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, employers are looking to shore up costs wherever they can. That means even standard, year-over-year health care cost increases may be too much to bear without some creative planning. With…

On May 5, 2021, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) published a second Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters (NBPP) for 2022 that finalized the remainder of the standards included in the proposed notice issued at the end of 2020. The first final 2022 NBPP was published Jan. 19, 2021. This second NBPP…

Companies may need to work with professional employer organizations (PEOs) to obtain contract workers for several reasons—whether it’s to account for their seasonal production periods, fulfill large contracts or secure contract-to-hire positions. Yet, before using a PEO to acquire employees, it is important for employers to understand what the responsibilities are for each party involved…

Attracting and retaining employees is a constant struggle for organizations of any size, but it’s particularly so for small businesses. With smaller teams, employers need to hold onto talent whenever possible. And that can be a challenge, especially when resources are scarce as they are currently amid the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. That’s…

On May 10, 2021, the IRS released Revenue Procedure 2021-25 to provide the inflation-adjusted limits for health savings accounts (HSAs) and high deductible health plans (HDHPs) for 2022. The IRS is required to publish these limits by June 1 of each year. Eligible individuals with self-only HDHP coverage will be able to contribute $3,650 to…

On May 10, 2021, the IRS released guidance on the taxability of dependent care assistance programs (DCAPs) for 2021 and 2022, clarifying that amounts attributable to previously issued carryover and extended grace period relief generally are not taxable. Carryovers of unused DCAP amounts typically are not permitted, although a 2½ month grace period is allowed.…

Summer is right around the corner and with it are thoughts of using some of our PTO for getaways and family vacations. As much as we look forward to taking some much-needed time off, it can also add stress that takes away some of that enjoyment. To help manage those additional tasks we have created…

Recently, President Joe Biden issued a call for employers to take additional steps to help get their employees and communities vaccinated against COVID-19. As part of that effort, president Biden announced a paid leave tax credit for small- and medium-sized businesses. This credit will allow eligible employers to fully offset the cost of paid leave…