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Why are my open enrollment forms asking about preexisting conditions?
Since employer group plans need to offer the same coverage to everyone, employer-sponsored plans are sometimes the only way that people with serious or chronic health conditions can get any disability or life insurance at all.
Claire Baker
2 min read


Why do Washington, DC and Rhode Island break your parental leave policy?
Most states have regulations that fall into a few easy categories: Do you protect 12 weeks of leave, even if the company isn’t covered by FMLA? Do you have a state-paid program?
Claire Baker
2 min read


What happens to my unused FSA balance?
The game begins. You have one calendar year to spend the money. The company has a year to collect it back from you. If you both follow the plan, you’ll both walk away scot-free, with the taxes you didn’t spend still in your pocket.
Claire Baker
2 min read


Why does HR override a manager's discretion?
When someone is paid for a day they didn't work, it MUST be entered into payroll as some kind of Paid Time Off type. Otherwise, there's no way to pay it. Most of the uncommon leave types don't allow negative balances in payroll systems. So if your time off isn't allocated to another bucket, it can't get paid. The discrepancy could even block payroll and prevent everyone from getting paid.
Claire Baker
2 min read


What health information does my employer have about me?
Did you know that if your company has more than 50 employees (100 in CA, CO, NY, and VT), the employer sees all the prescriptions people take?
They don’t know who, but if there are fewer than 100 people it’s pretty easy to guess who needed a prescription to control their excessive underarm sweating. Or who's on Lithium.
Claire Baker
2 min read


What do I need to consider when creating a parental leave policy?
Worst of all, striking fear into every HR leader and PeopleOps specialist is the Parental Leave Policy 😱. Parental leave isn’t just about giving people 12 weeks off.
Claire Baker
2 min read


Why do hourly workers accrue time off?
Hourly workers often accrue time off based on the time actually worked, which may or may not be under their control.
Claire Baker
2 min read


401(k) compliance
Although 401(k) compliance is simple compared to the regulations around other benefits like time off or health insurance, employers who offe
Claire Baker
10 min read
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