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“Outsourcing” is a highly charged word for most Americans, synonymous with heartless cost-cutting tactics taken by large corporations. But a recent article on outsourcing in CFO.com describes how small companies are now beginning to outsource. 

Leadership training is becoming a valuable asset in the business market today.  As our economy struggles to maintain jobs leadership training is both a way to rise above the competition in the job market and a way to prove that a leader can make all the difference in a company’s bottom line.

Any business owner would agree that qualified employees are hard to find.  When you find someone who is loyal to the company, has a great work ethic, and meets all of the positions qualifications it would be in the company’s best interest to keep them on staff. 

The way that companies and even individuals buy and obtain health insurance is changing rapidly, and when the full scope of the health care reform law takes effect in 2014, private health insurance exchanges will be one of the most commonly used methods of doing so.  If you're a small to mid-sized business, there's a good chance that you'll be utilizing private health insurance exchanges as well.  But understanding just what they are is important now so that you can plan properly for the future.  Whether you'll be affected or not, learning what you can about private health insurance exchanges is still a good idea, and one that isn't that difficult to do.  Take a few moments to review the basics behind these systems and you may be able to find a way to utilize them for yourself.

A recent helpful article in TechTarget by Emma Snider listed 5 HR Technology predictions for 2013 and three critical action items that HR managers need to start taking.

It may be hard to believe, but employers haven't always been responsible for giving their employees health insurance.  And while plenty of them still do, the truth is that employee sponsored health insurance is starting to overtake traditional employer sponsored options.  There are plenty of facts and figures that highlight the rising importance of employee sponsored health insurance and plenty of ways to optimize its effectiveness and reduce its costs.  If you're thinking of forgoing traditional options and choosing instead to look into employee sponsored health insurance, then there are certain things to bear in mind.  Looking at the past, present, and future of employee benefits and of employee sponsored health insurance and employer sponsored insurance will help you determine just what your next move should be.

In broad terms, the most common type of insurance benefits offered by employers is certainly employer sponsored health insurance.  But when you consider a few simple facts and figures, it becomes obvious that it's more accurate to call it employee sponsored health insurance.  While employers are certainly footing a big part of the bill, employees are paying as well.  And as time goes on, it certainly seems that employee sponsored health insurance is going to become the new standard.  Some researchers and experts are already claiming the old methods are dead.  Whatever your thoughts, reviewing the facts about employer and employee sponsored health insurance is well worth doing.  The numbers might actually surprise you.

You want to get the best deals, the best prices, and the best service whenever you make any decision for your company.  That's why medical loss ratio and what it means for your business is so important to understand.  Basically, medical loss ratio is the percentage of money an insurance company actually spends on health care.  For a better understanding of medical loss ratio and what it means for your business, consider this – every dollar you give to the insurance company is either spent on providing health services or for boosting their bottom line.  In most cases, 40-60% loss ratio is the norm.  A closer look at some other figures will help you understand medical loss ratio and what it means for your business even better.

Beginning in January, a new $2,500 limit will be enforced on salary reduction contributions to health flexible spending arrangements (FSAs). FSAs are often offered to employees to divert income on a pre-tax basis to an account they can use to buy certain services. FSAs allow employees who incur regular health expenses annually to purchase necessary health services with pre-tax dollars.

There is a great deal of focus on employee health these days, as the popularity of wellness programs and incentives continues to increase in workplaces across the country. Many of these wellness initiatives focus on physical health as employers look for ways to reduce healthcare costs. By encouraging employees to lead a healthy lifestyle, employers can look forward to a decrease in doctor visits and absenteeism. But what many employers do not realize is that mental health can be just as costly. In fact, depression ranks No. 1 of the top ten risk factors for employer health spending.