Archive for the ‘Benefits’ Category

HR Should Create “Ahhh” Moments

Aug 27

That’s the view from my desk. It’s the Ben Franklin Bridge on the Philadelphia side spanning the Delaware River. The building that’s on the right is pretty, too. It’s the old Sugar Factory. You can see lots of pictures inside our office here.

Working in a great environment influences moods. You can’t get creativity in a cubicle farm. How about another role for HR — to create “ahhs”?

HR Reality Check: Benefits Will Be Taken for Granted

Aug 16

Psst: This one’s for my HR friends.

You know that cool new benefit you’re offering. The one that everyone’s talking about?

Next year, everyone will take it for granted.

Doesn’t matter what it is — free dog walking, free jelly beans, free massages — things will happen in three distinct phases:

  1. In the beginning, employees will notice and comment on it. They’ll be thankful. You’ll be pleased. Everyone will be happy.
  2. Somewhere along the way, some will start to overdo it. Take advantage. They won’t care about the spirit of the idea. Guidelines won’t help.
  3. And not too long afterwards, those benefits that you spend a fortune on and think are really cool will be taken for granted. In fact, see what happens if you try to scale them back even a little bit.

Here’s the reality check: Think long and hard about offering benefits. Think about their value. Because once you give them you can’t take them back. And you’re stuck paying the bill.

Volunteer for Wellness

Jul 14

In the July issue of IFRACTAL’s Buzzworthy, we featured an article about how you can work toward a healthier mind and body by spending time with animals. If you don’t own an animals, there are plenty of places where you can volunteer. We don’t thinking wellness is only about quitting smoking or how much weight you can lose. We like to think of wellness as your mind, your body, your financial situation, and your community at work all working together and being healthy.

Does your company sponsor volunteer programs? Take this quick, 6-question survey.

HR Bobbleheads Episode 4: New Benefits

Jun 18

HR Bobbleheads – Episode 4: New Benefits from HR Bobbleheads on Vimeo.

In this episode: Fremulon, Inc. announces their new, all-inclusive “Benefits Package.” Unfortunately, the package isn’t as comprehensive as it might seem.

Previous episodes:
HR Bobbleheads Episode 3: Layoffs
The economic crunch means it’s time to “trim the fat” at Fremulon, Inc. Will our faithful employees stay loyal to one another? Or will they sell each other out for job security? And what of the mysterious toxic waste spill that’s turned all the Fremulon employees an eerie green?

HR Bobbleheads Episode 2: Dress Code
Someone hasn’t been following the company’s dress code policy, which results in a talking-to from HR and the manager. This episode is a lesson in making your policies easy to understand, even for those with wooden ears.

HR Bobbleheads Episode 1: The Water Cooler
Talking around the water cooler is all fine and good, until the boss finds you shirking your responsibilities.

HR Bobbleheads Sneak Preview: Sick Day
Everyone at the office called in sick on the Friday before Memorial Day. Everyone, that is, except for Iron Man.

AARP Suspends 401(k) Match for Employees

Mar 12

picture-2

CNN is reporting that AARP is suspending its 401(k) match for employees. Since I’m just a few months away from being a member, I’ve paid a lot more attention to AARP. Wow…even the people who are helping people who hope to retire some day are going to have to delay retiring some day. YIkes. Remind me, how do you spell irony?

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