Revisiting your employee benefit plans and practices should be a continual effort, not a once every 5-year endeavor. Employers who regularly review and optimize their employee benefit plans and practices throughout the year reap the rewards of increased employee appreciation, improved employee retention, greater productivity, and ultimately, a happier workforce. While staying abreast and ahead of industry and compliance changes … Read More
Turns Out, Grandma Was Right – Eat Your Veggies!
Among the food controversies that surround us, the vast majority of health authorities and experts can agree on one thing – vegetables have an important place in our diet. If media is the primary supplier of the health information you consume, then you’re aware of the confusing claims made both for and against most foods. We’ve seen sugar, fat, meat, … Read More
Supporting Your Employees in a Post-pandemic Workplace
It’s hard to believe the pandemic started a year ago – and what a long year it has been. Thanks to the phased rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine to essential workers, EMS, and now, K-12 school staff, as well as law enforcement and protective services, it’s finally beginning to feel like there is light at the end of the tunnel. … Read More
Get Moving: Tips To Get In More Movement Throughout Your Day
Human life has evolved in a way that makes it very easy to avoid movement. We sit in cars on the way to work. At work, we sit at our desks for much of the day. Then we come home and sit down to relax. That’s not what our bodies are built for. We may move less but movement is … Read More
Boost Employee Retention With Your Benefits Plan
Employee retention, as well as job satisfaction, have always been important priorities for forward-thinking businesses. Benefits, vacation time, and ongoing employee development are a good start. However, in today’s business climate, you must go the extra mile to retain employees for the long-term. This is especially relevant to civic workers and teachers who are always in high demand in Arizona. … Read More
COVID-19 Relief Legislation and Employee Benefits 2021
In the last days of 2020, Congress passed yet another COVID-19 Relief Bill. Moving forward into 2021 there will be an impact on employee benefits that you need to be aware of. Significant restrictions on so-called “surprise” medical bills, changes to Health Flexible Spending accounts (HFSAs), and Emergency Paid Sick Leave (EPSL) are among the key changes that will impact … Read More
Recognize and Overcome ‘All or Nothing’ Thinking
You’ve set a goal for the new year to meditate every night before you go to bed. You do this every night for the first three weeks until you unexpectedly fall asleep watching a movie on Saturday night. The next day you wake up disappointed and think to yourself, “I didn’t keep my New Year’s goal, I fail at everything.” … Read More
Why Working With a Employee Benefits Consultant is a Must
With a wide array of health plans, benefit options, and employee needs, it almost goes without saying that working with an employee benefits expert is a must. In an era where remote working and risk mitigation is crucial to your operations, Valley Schools has several key reasons why you should work with a trusted employee benefits consultant. Resolving Compliance Issues … Read More
Wellness Goals: Staying Accountable in the New Year
Goal setting is an opportunity to reflect on the past and plan for the year ahead. Take a look at what went well in 2020 – your wins, what you can work on, and goals for the upcoming year. Don’t confuse goal setting or setting intentions with the term “New Year’s resolution.” Now is the perfect time to reset but … Read More
Employee Benefits Trends to Watch in 2021
One of the many great reminders of 2020 is that no matter how hard we try, we cannot predict what the future holds. Our priorities have shifted considerably due to the COVID-19 pandemic and many of those priorities are in direct correlation to our health and our careers. Employers in the public sector have had a front seat to change, … Read More