United Benefit Advisors Insight and Analysis Blog

With the world in isolation and social distancing in full effect, the coronavirus pandemic has suddenly transformed the workplace, maybe irreparably. Almost overnight, businesses across the globe, many of which had no preexisting work-from-home policy, shifted all operations to remote work. The drastic change presented a wave of new challenges for these companies, on top of the strain inherent in working during an international pandemic. Chief of these challenges has been effective communication between coworkers, upper management, and even to clients.

Topics: employee communication, HR Elements, Social Distancing

Topics: employee communication, employee education, soft skills

Ever hear of the acronym “CLEM”? That stands for career-limiting email and is a reminder to reconsider sending anything out in writing when a phone call may be the better option.

If you have to think twice about hitting that send button, then you shouldn’t hit it.

Topics: employee communication, human resources, email, workplace culture, cyberbullying, work performance, work environment

Millennials, commonly but not exclusively defined as people born between 1981 and 1996, occupy a complicated space in today’s workplace—predominantly because they’re the youngest generation in it. While many consider this group “ambitious” and “tech-savvy,” others understand it to be “whiney,” “distracted,” or “entitled.” As with any stereotype, this is a flat, un-nuanced version of a partial truth. The most important thing to remember, says Brad Karsh, CEO and founder of JBTraining Solutions, is that each generation in the workforce—from Boomers to Millennials—has been shaped by their upbringing.

Topics: employee communication, Millennials, Millennials in the Workforce

Direct feedback culture, according to “Mastering the Art of Negative Feedback,” from Society for Human Resource Management means simultaneously challenging someone while also showing you care. Many employees skew toward caring over candor, and that can lead to dissatisfaction.

Topics: employee engagement, employee communication, human resources, Feedback

Discovering the individualized reasons people work is key to helping employers understand what will motivate employees.

According to the article "What People Want from Work: Motivation" on the website The Balance, successful companies need to start with money. Paying employees fair compensation, or ideally more than fair, brings the talent in and reduces the risk of losing great employees. Money helps employees check off responsibilities ranging from taking care of the most basic necessities to enjoying hobbies to long-term planning for retirement.

Topics: employee engagement, employee communication, employee satisfaction, employee participation, employee burnout, workplace culture, motivation, working conditions

In previous posts, I have talked about several aspects of strategic benefits communication. Now it’s time to put those strategies into action. As we approach enrollment season, let’s look at five key steps to ensuring this year’s open enrollment is successful for you and your employees.

Topics: employee communication, voluntary benefits, Open Enrollment, benefits communication

UBA has created a template letter that employers may use to draft written communication to employees regarding what to expect in relation to IRS Forms 1095-B and 1095-C, and what employees should do with a form or forms they receive. The template is meant to be adjustable for each employer, and further information could be added if it is pertinent to the employer or its workforce.

Topics: employee communication, IRS Form 1095, minimum essential coverage, Danielle Capilla, minimum value coverage

There is a lot of talk about the many cost-control and health care reform tactics available to employers, but what are companies actually implementing? The latest UBA Benefit Opinions Survey aims to define just that. While clients and prospects of UBA’s Partner Firms have contributed thousands of responses to the survey, any employer can participate and get a complimentary findings report. This landmark benchmarking resource compiles information from employers representing all major industry classifications, employee size categories and regions of the country, and delineates employers’ opinions in five key areas:

Topics: employee communication, ACA, employee benefits, PPACA, leadership, UBA Benefit Opinion Survey, benefit communication, benefit consultants, benefit management, compliance with health care reform

Topics: employee communication, health insurance, ACA, health marketplace, employee benefits, health care reform, health care, PPACA