9 HR Policies are Legal Again, Says NLRB General Counsel | Chicago Employee Benefits Consultants

Workplace rules are back, baby! Peter Robb, General Counsel for the National Labor Relations Board (and my new hero), issued a memorandum on Wednesday that employers should love. Mr. Robb has declared that nine standard employer policies will now be presumed lawful under the National Labor Relations Act. The memorandum was based on the Board’s decision in The Boeing Company, … Continued

Is Fortnite Interfering With Your Workplace? | Chicago Benefit Advisors

If you haven’t heard, the latest video game craze is Fortnite Battle Royale. This free multiplayer game can be played on both PC & Mac computers, Xbox, Playstation, and iOS devices. Fortnite is set on an island where a floating bus drops 100 players to gather materials to build fortresses and collect weapons in order … Continued

ACA Play or Pay: Affordability Percentage for 2019 | Illinois Benefits Brokers

On May 21, 2018, the IRS announced that the affordability percentage under the Affordable Care Act’s play or pay rules will increase to 9.86% for 2019 plan years. This is an increase from 9.56% for 2018 plan years. By way of background, the ACA’s employer shared responsibility provision – often called the employer mandate or … Continued

Understanding the Opioid Crisis | Chicago Benefit Advisors

Lately, there’s been a big focus on America’s opioid addiction in the news. Whether it’s news on the abuse of the drug or it’s information sharing on how the drug works, Americans are talking about this subject regularly. We want to help educate you on this hot topic. Opioids are made from the opium poppy … Continued

How to Price Shop Your Health Care | Illinois Employee Benefits

Where do you start when shopping around for your health care? Watch this video for some great tips on maximizing your benefits.

Inclusive Workplaces Benefit Everyone | Illinois Employee Benefit Advisors

While there’s plenty of talk about work/life balance, many employees want to feel human while at work, too. Being able to bring their whole selves, according to “3 Ways to Create a More Human Workplace,” from Workforce, is an essential piece of a welcoming, inclusive workplace environment. Putting employees first as a defined company value … Continued

Notifying Participants of a Plan Change | Illinois Benefit Advisors

Curious about when you should notify a participant about a change to their health care plan?  The answer is that it depends!  Notification must happen within one of three time frames: 60 days prior to the change, no later than 60 days after the change, or within 210 days after the end of the plan … Continued

Higher Satisfaction Through Higher Education | Chicago Benefit Advisors

When evaluating employee benefits, essentials such as health and dental plans, vacation time and 401(k) contributions quickly come to mind. Another benefit employers should consider involves subsidizing learning as well as ambitions. Grants and reimbursements toward advanced degrees and continuing education can be a smart investment for both employers and employees. Educational benefits are strongly … Continued

Here’s Where #FOMO Is Doing You a Disservice | Chicago Employee Benefits

Fear of missing out—is more than just a hashtag. Many Millennials admit that #FOMO drives a lot of their decisions on what they wear, what they do, even what they eat and drink. We live in a world of social influence. But one area where #FOMO really does you a disservice? No one is afraid … Continued

All About Medical Savings Accounts | Illinois Employee Benefits Advisors

Taking control of health care expenses is on the top of most people’s to-do list for 2018.  The average premium increase for 2018 is 18% for Affordable Care Act (ACA) plans.  So, how do you save money on health care when the costs seems to keep increasing faster than wage increases?  One way is through … Continued