Rob, Scott, and Jason discuss identifying and developing leaders; from leadership traits and assessment to building a plan and evaluating goals.
Contact us with any questions you may have, we’re here to help: hr@employco.com
New Study: Employees Won’t Commit to Companies Anymore…Unless They Offer Flexible Work Options
Employment trends expert explains how to retain talent in a competitive market driven by agile employment demands
As the economy strengthens and jobs’ numbers improve, employees now have more options and bargaining power than in recent memory. However, a new Emerging Workforce® Study suggests that these new options are changing the way employees consider possible job opportunities, and in turn changing the way that employers attract and retain staff.
“The new research shows that the number of contingent workers has increased by 14 percent since 2017,” says Rob Wilson, employment trends expert and President of Employco USA, a national employment-solutions firm that is renowned for their impeccable service and forward-thinking practices. “Additionally, over 40 percent of employees say they will only work for a company which offers such freelance or work-from-home options.”
Known as “agile employment,” Wilson explains that employees are looking for more control over their work lives and they expect companies to adequately respect those needs and offer such opportunities.
Study: Employees in the Dark About Their Healthcare Plans
Group employment expert explains new study and how it costs employers big-time
A recent study found that 25 percent of employees do not understand the basics of their healthcare plan, while 32 percent are further confused by their plan’s additional benefits. And, 67 percent say that they are given little to no advanced preparation when it comes to choosing new plans.
“These findings line up with what I have heard from many of my prospects, especially in recent months,” says Rob Wilson, group health employment expert and President of Employco USA. “With President Trump’s new alterations to the Affordable Care Act, many people are confused about their coverage and their requirements for coverage. For example, some people think that President Trump removed the penalty for Americans who do not have insurance, however, this relief actually does not come into effect until 2019, so people can still face financial punishment if they are not covered.”
Wilson says that employees are not the only ones who suffer when they are in the dark about healthcare coverage. “Employers will suffer as well if their employees make uninformed healthcare decisions,” says Wilson. “This includes employees who choose the wrong healthcare plan, employees who neglect to appropriately use their benefits, employees who erroneously have adult children on their healthcare plan, etc.”
For the group employment expert, education is one of the most important steps when it comes to making sure that a company’s healthcare costs are as trimmed and streamlined as possible.
“It’s important to have representatives from your chosen health insurance provider come to your office on a regular basis in order to talk to new employees as well as refresh the minds of older employees, especially as so many changes are afoot in this industry,” says Wilson. “I would also advise employers to regularly send out emails with information about their plans, but more importantly, also snail mail. An informative packet in the mail which an employee can hold in their hands and share with their family to help discuss options and compare benefits will be invaluable.”
For more on this topic, please contact Rob Wilson at rwilson@thewilsoncompanies.com.
The Military Money Movement Podcast
Rob was recently a guest on the MilMoney Movement Podcast, covering: “What You Need to Know About Lunch Break Laws and Unfair Bosses.”
“In today’s episode 13 of the MilMoney Movement Podcast, Lacey Langford and Hank Coleman are talking with Rob Wilson, the president of The Wilson Companies and a human resources guru. Wilson Companies is a human resource outsourcing company that helps businesses that do not have an HR department. Rob shares with us a topic that happens to many in the military community, but it’s not talked about a lot, lunchtime judgment. Do you feel like your boss doesn’t think you work as hard if you take lunch? Or, are you a boss that bases your impression of an employee’s work ethic on their lunchtime habits…”
Read more and follow the link to listen below:
Employco USA Hires an HR Coordinator
A human resource and employment solutions firm, Employco USA is pleased to announce the growing expansion of its staff.
Employco’s newest team member:
Rebecca Ceja, HR Coordinator – a large portion of her responsibilities include providing 2 days of onsite human resources support for one of Employco’s clients at their headquarters in Itasca, Illinois. The other 3 days per week will be at Employco’s office in Westmont, Illinois, providing offsite support as well as HR responsibilities for several other Employco clients.
“The only way to do great work is to love what you do.” -Steve Jobs, “I loved the first impression of Employco’s culture and with being dedicated to helping others with their HR needs, it is safe to say I found my dream job.” -Rebecca Ceja
For more on this topic, please contact Rob Wilson at rwilson@thewilsoncompanies.com.
Why Blue Cross is Slashing the Cost of Premiums Across the United States
Group employment expert explains what employers and employees need to know about the future pricing of the group health plan
Blue Cross Blue Shield is proposing premium cuts in many states across America for 2019, with some states seeing as much as a 5% decrease or more. However, there could be more to this story than meets the eye.
“Blue Cross is cutting prices now because they over-estimated how much they needed to hike their premiums last year,” explains Rob Wilson, President of Employco USA and group employment expert. “They set the rates too high, which is understandable as there was so much uncertainty over the fate of the Affordable Care Act and how President Trump would alter Obamacare. But, now that we have a clearer picture of the fate of the Affordable Care Act, Blue Cross can go back to rectify their initial over-estimation.”
Wilson says that, regardless of the cause, a decrease in premiums is nearly unheard of, and a hopeful sign of things to come.
“Blue Cross has not reduced the cost of their premiums in years,” says Wilson. “For example, in Illinois, my home state, premiums have been going up every year, in some cases even jumping up by 17 percent such as in 2015. So, for people of Illinois to finally see price decreases is simply unprecedented.”
Wilson says even the states in which Blue Cross Blue Shield is proposing premium increases don’t have to fear. “Not every state is going to see a decrease in Blue Cross Blue Shield premiums in 2019, and some may even see an increase, but this increase will be very slight.”
For more on this topic, please contact Rob Wilson at rwilson@thewilsoncompanies.com.
What Employers Need to Know About Fall Internships
H.R. expert explains how companies should approach hiring student interns
With fall approaching and school commencing, many college students will be considering a fall internship. However, companies who are considering hiring student interns need to be careful about how they proceed with this arrangement.
“Interns can no longer be used as free labor,” says Rob Wilson, human resources expert and President of Employco USA, an employment solutions firm. “It is crucial that the intern can be shown to benefit as much from the arrangement as the company itself.”
Wilson explains that companies who are considering interns should consider not only how these workers would benefit them, but how the experience itself can benefit the intern. “Students will need to be able to prove that their time with your firm is educational and applicable to their chosen major,” says the H.R. expert.
Furthermore, says Wilson, companies will need to budget for these interns.
“The days of free internships are pretty much over,” says Wilson. “There is a very thin margin of internships where it is still okay for a worker to receive no financial compensation, but we advise all of our clients to pay their interns. It’s a good business practice and one that will be beneficial for you in the long run.”
Wilson also says that hiring interns will bring a fresh perspective and a new outlook to companies.
“When you bring the next generation into your workplace, you are going to enjoy the benefit of their unique outlook and fresh take on issues in your industry,” says Wilson. “Student interns should be a win-win for both you and them, provided you take the needed steps to make sure the program is run effectively and managed well.”
For more on this topic, you can listen to Employco USA’s HR Podcast entitled, “Company Internship Programs.”
Contact us with any questions you may have, we’re here to help: hr@employco.com
Podcast: Company Internship Programs
Rob, Scott, and Jason discuss company internship programs along with special guests Griffen and Pat – who both just completed their own internships over the summer. They touch on the do’s and don’ts, along with: goals, valuable feedback, and the significant benefits involved for both the intern as well as the employer.
Contact us with any questions you may have, we’re here to help: hr@employco.com
Jim Fannin Show: Create a Winning Corporate Culture
Rob was recently a guest on Jim Fannin’s weekly podcast, The Jim Fannin Show:
“In this Jim Fannin Show episode, Rob Wilson of Employco USA shares his insight and experience of creating and fostering a winning corporate culture. Rob and I discuss decisive plans of action to help you win at work in hiring, onboarding, benefits, performance reviews and yes, even firing. Each of these processes contributes to the collection of corporate thoughts that govern the overall culture and success of your organization.”
Read more and follow the link to listen below:
Study Reveals Why Some Salaries Should Be Secret…but Some Shouldn’t
H.R. expert explains new research and how employers should apply it to their workplace
A new study has found something interesting: When employees know how much their boss makes, they work harder as a result. But, other evidence has shown that when employees know how much their colleagues make…they work less hard.
What can explain this difference? And, what does it mean for employers?
“Salary transparency is a complicated issue,” says human resources expert Rob Wilson, President of Employco USA, a employment-solutions firm with locations across the country. “The truth is that there won’t be a one-size-fits-all approach that works for every company, but there are a few basic things that every employer should know.”
First, Wilson says that as this study shows, employees actually like to know that their boss is doing well financially. “If the top tier people are struggling financially, that can make employees insecure and unmotivated,” says Wilson. “Employees want to feel like they are being led by someone who is doing well for himself or herself. This is both aspirational and comforting, as they know that the company is in good hands and has a solid future.”
However, Wilson says that salary transparency among coworkers can become problematic.