Gastroparesis Awareness Month (August)
Gastroparesis is a condition that affects the muscles of the stomach, preventing proper stomach emptying. It can cause indigestion, pain, bloating, heartburn and blood sugar fluctuations. Nearly 1 in 3 people who have diabetes develop gastroparesis, but it can also arise following surgery, the use of certain medications or in association with another illness.
Compliance Tracker – August
No Key Compliance Deadlines for August
Employers with calendar-year plans should start preparing for open enrollment for the plan year starting Jan. 1, 2025. This process should include reviewing your company’s benefit offerings, working with vendors to make any benefit adjustments, updating benefit limits and contribution amounts for 2025, and preparing employee communications.
Compliance Overview – Spousal Incentive HRAs
Spousal incentive health reimbursement arrangements (HRAs) are a type of tax-advantaged medical reimbursement account that employers use as a cost-savings strategy. A spousal incentive HRA works like a traditional HRA in many respects, but it is only available to employees who enroll in health coverage through a spouse’s employer. By reimbursing employees on a tax-free basis for their eligible out-of-pocket expenses under a spouse’s health plan, this type of HRA incentivizes employees to enroll in health coverage through their spouse’s employer instead of their own employer.
Think Well, Be Well: Navigating Social Anxiety in Summer
Summer is a time for sunshine, outdoor activities and social gatherings, with ample opportunities to unwind and connect withothers. However, for those experiencing social anxiety, these gatherings can be intimidating.
An AnxietyCentre.com poll found that nearly three-quarters (73%) of people experience increased anxiety symptoms during the summer. Experts attribute this rise to various factors, including heightened social expectations and seasonal changes.
Legal Update: Pennsylvania Federal District Court Declines to Block FTC Noncompete Ban
On July 23, 2024, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania denied
the plaintiff’s motion in ATS Tree Services LLC v. FTC for a preliminary injunction to block the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) noncompete ban. This ruling differs from an early July holding in a similar case in the Northern District of Texas (Ryan LLC v. FTC) that partially blocked the ban with respect to the plaintiffs in that case, but not nationwide. In each case, the ban is still scheduled to take effect for most employers on Sept. 4, 2024.
News Brief: Report Finds Majority of Employees Prefer to Stay in Current Job
A new survey by Willis Towers Watson (WTW) found that 72% of employees are choosing to stay with their employers. This is in contrast to recent periods when the majority of workers were looking for new jobs, such as during the “Great Reshuffle” in 2022. WTW’s 2024 survey collected information from 10,000 U.S. employees working at medium and large private-sector companies.
“The war for talent is no longer just about pay; benefits matter, and the ability to choose those benefits is important for adapting to employees’ changing needs.”
-Cecile Chang, global growth leader of House & Benefits, WTW
Career Elevator: Time Management Tips to Boost Productivity (July)
Effective time management is crucial for enhancing productivity and achieving career success in today’s fast-paced work environment. As workers juggle multiple responsibilities and deadlines, mastering the art of managing time can transform their professional lives. However, staying on track and focused can be especially hard given daily distractions in workspaces.
Legal Update: Court Denies FMLA Leave for Unmarried Father Before Child’s Birth
The 11th Circuit Court of Appeals recently held in Tanner v. Stryker Corp. that an unmarried employee who traveled to be with his pregnant ex-girlfriend for the birth of their baby was not entitled to leave before the child’s birth under the federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). The 11th Circuit has jurisdiction over Alabama, Florida and Georgia, and its rulings must be followed by employers in those states.
News Brief: Inflation Cooled Further in June
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the consumer price index (CPI) rose 3% year over year in June, declining from 3.3% in May. This is the first time since May 2020 that the monthly rate has shown a decrease.
“With another good CPI print under their belt, the window is open for the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates as early as September,and potentially again in December, assuming the inflation data continues to cooperate.”
-Skyler Weinand, chief investment officer, Regan Capital
Legal Update: Draft Forms for 2024 ACA Reporting Released
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has released draft 2024 forms for reporting under Internal Revenue Code Sections 6055 and 6056. Draft instructions for these forms have not yet been released.
- The 2024 draft Forms 1094-B and 1095-B are draft versions of forms that will be used by providers of minimum essential coverage—including self-insured plan sponsors that are not applicable large employers (ALEs)—to report under Section 6055.
- The 2024 draft Forms 1094-C and 1095-C are draft versions of forms that will be used by ALEs to report under Section 6056 as well as for combined Section 6055 and 6056 reporting by ALEs that sponsor self-insured plans.
No major changes were made to the draft forms for 2024 reporting. However,certain changes may be made once the forms and instructions are finalized.
Client and Employee Resources
The more your employees understand your benefit plans the more they become educated, empowered consumers. The programs you provide will also gain an enhanced value.
As your strategic partners in employee benefits, we can provide multiple avenues of ongoing support, including:
- Employee Meetings (English and Spanish)
- Webcasts
- Payroll Stuffers
- Poster Campaigns
- Newsletters
Carrier Directories
E-Verify is a web-based system that allows enrolled employers to confirm the eligibility of their employees to work in the United States. Click the image below to begin.
