"The law mandates that employers provide paid sick leave, allowing employees to take time off for conditions such as personal illness or care of a family member with an illness. Employers can either front-load sick leave, providing employees with their full annual leave at the start of the year or use an accrual system where leave is earned over time.... Employees can carry over up to 80 hours of unused, earned sick leave into the following year."  MORE >>

"[B]efore December 31: [1] Confirm that all carriers have successfully uploaded ... [2] If employees won't have their ID cards by January 1 ... ensure they know how to access their coverage without a card.... [3] Audit your payroll deduction file ... [4] Review end-of-year compliance reminders ... [W]ithin the first two months of the new year: [1] Audit your self-billed or list-billed invoices ... [2] Develop and implement a communications plan ... [3] Test your life-event functionality ... [4] Review enrollment metrics and compare them to previous enrollments[.]"  MORE >>

"While the majority of U.S. employers are covering these drugs on the health plan for diabetes management, roughly one-third of employer health plans now cover them for both diabetes management and obesity, according to International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans employer survey June 2024. Many more are considering adding GLP-1 coverage for weight loss in the coming years due to increasing public health awareness, employee requests and a desire to mitigate heart disease, strokes and other conditions."  MORE >>

"Even as weight loss drugs such as Wegovy and Zepbound explode in popularity, many working-age Americans struggle to afford the medications. Some face escalating out-of-pocket costs with higher copays or other cost-shifting from their insurance plans."  MORE >>

"A medical insurance plan along with a well-designed wellness program encourages employees to take personal responsibility to help minimize healthcare costs. When medical and wellness plans are integrated with a [self-insured medical reimbursement program], employees that participate in the wellness plan can be rewarded with cash reimbursements to cover medical expenses."  MORE >>

"New York City's proposed law appears to cover service animals and animals 'kept primarily for companionship in compliance with all applicable laws.' Several other states mandate paid time off that employees can use for any purpose, including to care for their animals. These states include Illinois, Maine, and Nevada."  MORE >>

"The answer depends on a variety of factors, including company policies, the nature of the disability, state laws, and federal regulations like the [FMLA]. [This post explores] the complexities of job protection during short-term disability, what employees can expect, and the key factors influencing job security during a medical leave."  MORE >>

"To ensure the health and well-being of gig workers and the growth and prosperity of the gig economy, Congress should consider legislative actions to address these challenges. In this [article, the authors] describe these challenges, propose solutions, and provide several policy recommendations for federal lawmakers."  MORE >>

"Form 5500 filers will likely appreciate being able to file Form 5558 electronically; otherwise, many will be unaffected by this year's changes.... Forms 5500 and 5500-SF must be filed electronically using the DOL's EFAST2 website or using software from EFAST2-approved vendors."  MORE >>

"These guidelines aim to support collective bargaining rights for employees, ensure that employees are aware of how employers use AI in the workplace, and protect workers' rights to data privacy. At the same time, the guidelines encourage employers to support workers whose positions have been displaced by AI."  MORE >>

"Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) expansion: a new horizon? ... [ACA] revisions: what could change? ... Health care policy: transparency and reform ... Expansion of healthcare alternatives in 2025: what to expect? ... Telehealth and remote work benefits: here to stay? ... Dependent care benefits: higher limits? ... Supporting families: enhanced adoption assistance benefits? ... Retirement plan reforms: what's on the horizon? ... Immigration policies and retirement benefits: an indirect impact? ... Extension of the 2017 tax cuts and jobs act changes."  MORE >>