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Managing Employee Benefits Through ACA & AHCA Uncertainty

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When Bill Clinton spoke about the ACA, (more commonly known as ObamaCare) during the 2016 presidential election, he said: “You’ve got this crazy system where all the sudden, 25 million more people have healthcare and then the people are out there busting it, sometimes 60 hours a week, wind up with their premiums doubled and their coverage cut in half,” Clinton said. “It’s the craziest thing in the world,” He wasn’t far off.

Political opinions set aside, the ACA overturned an entire industry and now California businesses and professionals are in still in a state of uncertainty, as they await the outcomes of legislative issues pending before federal and state levels:

What Does 2018 Hold For Employee Benefits?

The American Health Care Act (AHCA), or “TrumpCare”, would overturn and relax many if the mandates, reporting and plan designs of the ACA. While there is much left to be negotiated and detailed before we have a change in Federal law, the basics of AHCA are now widely known. In anticipation of these changes, carriers in California have filed several sets of rates for 2017, in anticipation of the law passing and potential overturn of the ACA.

Many states across the nation are facing a challenge with a single, or in some counties, even no choices with respect to carriers. Individual markets are challenged with rising premiums and carriers pulling participation. In spite of the multiple attempts to overturn it, the ACA is still the law of the land.

More Healthcare Uncertainty: Single Payer for California?

The State of California has their own (mysterious) plan: a proposed $400 billion dollar single-payer plan, that would take the place of all federal and state run healthcare systems, including  Medicare and MediCal. It’s currently making its way through the State Assembly, and has a long way to go before it becomes law, including a funding structure for the plan’s expense.

With all of this potential upheaval, in the meantime the status quo will continue – plans will change/adapt each year to adjust to the ACA’s annual increases in out-of-pocket costs, rates for individuals will continue to be in flux, companies with 50 or more employees will need robust systems to allow them to comply and report to IRS, and companies will need to continue to manage their healthcare care expenses. Balancing the challenges of rewarding and engaging employees, while managing their bottom line, in an increasingly complex and changing regulatory landscape for all industries.

Health care in the USA, or California, won’t be solved by any one piece of legislation, and will remain a complex task for all participants. CorpStrat is dedicated to helping our clients address the challenges of delivering the most effective employee benefits strategies and products, and to help them deploy integrated solutions for payroll, benefits, HR, and compliance.

Why Paperless Companies Are More Efficient

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The business world is embracing the cloud, and all it has to offer. Cloud technology is becoming more and more intuitive, and users are becoming cloud savvy. Migrating technology to cloud systems has also become much simpler for companies to accomplish! The benefits of cloud-based collaboration tools are considerable, and the cost savings of making this transition are great! 85% of businesses already utilize cloud technology, and as a result, approximately 66% outperform their competitors. Those are compelling statistics.

Paperless companies are more efficient, and have several advantages over companies that operate with a paper system.  There are too many reasons to go paperless and digital over paper, but here are a few important reasons to with an online HR Management software system.

When onboarding new employees, documents will never be missed and always filled out, time and attendance issues will be no longer an issue, days off requests will be approved by managers before employee is granted the day off, HR system can talk to payroll easily, etc.

If you can achieve migrating your HR to a paperless system, the advantages will not only lead to a greener business, but will make your company more attractive to customers. The instant accessibility of digital documents offers a huge advantage, when you have the ability to remotely access information anytime, anywhere. This allows more time for business development.

Going digital requires having a document management system in place, that would ultimately manage workflow, receive and secure documentation from any source, and store and retrieve documents. Companies can easily update and exchange information via the cloud, saving a tremendous amount of time, and money. All Information and documentation can be digitally stored—with security and efficiency. It has become very easy for companies to back up critical information. This information can also be protected remotely via the cloud or an off-site hard drive.

We live in a hyper-connected age. Paperless processes help prevent a delay in transaction, which could result in a delay in revenue. Clients will typically reward you with more business when they know they are dealing with an efficient operation. The advantages of having a paperless HR operation cannot be ignored. Simply put, you are enhancing your company’s ability to succeed in both the short and long-term. Don’t risk being left behind!

Employee Self-Service: Why Employees Care

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In the 20th century, there was a clearer delineation between work and life: there was what you did to earn income, and there was everything else. But with the advent of mobile technology — which allows employees to be  “on” anytime, anywhere — work is no longer confined to the office.

While this mobility offers great advantages, it also allows work to infiltrate employees’ lives. It’s a challenge for employers, large and small!

Today, life is pushing back! The enjoyment of life is beginning to take back its rightful place in the lives of employees. Today’s employees put increased focus on happiness at work—they change jobs more often, their careers take unexpected twists and turns, and personal satisfaction can be as important as the numbers on their paycheck.

Employers are recognizing these changing priorities, by investing in employee engagement, culture, and team development. Technology is the key.

Using Technology to Put Your Employees First

This employee-first focus is shaping everything from office floor plans to vacation policies and management styles, making the workplace a more dynamic and expressive place.

With so much change in the workplace, employees are looking for more stability, protection, and a safeguard against disruption. If they can find it in their employer, they’ll show their appreciation through loyalty.

Between work and life, employees want harmony—not just balance. With this new blended experience, they expect their employers to keep up with current trends and proactively provide solutions for their changing  needs. Specifically, employees are seeking a sense of financial and emotional wellbeing.

Today’s employee experience needs to be more complete.

Here are 5 ways to meet employees where they are:

  1. Offering a breadth of employee benefit options helps to alleviate the anxiety that comes with the integration of work-life and home-life.
  1. When employers deliver digital and tailored HR solutions, they help an increasingly diverse workforce find the assurance and security it’s looking for.
  1. When employees have access to the right information on their terms,  it ensures they can get the info they need to meet their lifestyle objectives.
  1. By providing clearer information about workplace policies and procedures, employers can empower employees and minimize areas of exposure.
  1. Lastly, when communication is simplified, employees are able to discover the immense value of their workplace and benefits.

This appreciation results in engagement, loyalty, and commitment to the company.

Companies that embrace technology to help employees bridge the gap between “old school”  and full-service digital employee engagement will thrive in a changing business world.

CorpStrat’s 21st Century HR Solution helps companies change the game and change the ways employees engage.

5 Reasons Spreadsheets Can’t Replace an HCM

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Many HR admins and managers rely on spreadsheets to help them record key skill and talent-related employee data. It may be sufficient enough when you are managing a small number of employees or want to work with a very specific set of data. However, using spreadsheets once the your organization starts to grow and staff numbers increase isn’t going to work long-term.

The resources associated with tasks such as approving time off, changing demographic information and managing performance evaluation becomes very quickly. Before too long, there comes a point the HR team will need to look at other solutions – such as Human Capital Management software – to help reduce time and resources and process tasks more efficiently.

5 Reasons it’s Time for Your HR to Move Away from the Spreadsheets

[Read more…] about 5 Reasons Spreadsheets Can’t Replace an HCM

Why Googling HR Issues is a Bad Idea

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If you are running a business, chances are you have used Google to research a variety of HR issues at some point in your career. For the occasional form or broad level question, it isn’t a bad thing, but if you’re someone who’s uncomfortable with uncertainty, it’s best to avoid the practice altogether.

Because information on internet can be unreliable, organizations should avoid seeking advice about issues that could have serious legal consequences. Know who you are dealing with, before you trust their information. [Read more…] about Why Googling HR Issues is a Bad Idea

HR Technology – Looking To The Future

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Working with HR technology has never been more exciting. The HR landscape is evolving, as is the technology that supports it. It is empowering to provide businesses with the tools that can help manage the people side of their organization. Technological innovations have created the opportunity for HR departments to generate a far greater impact than ever before. HR technology trends in 2017 are creating unparalleled tools for achieving stronger cohesion and communication. In addition, they will undoubtedly attract millennial workers, while also maintaining familiarity with the older generation.

The advent of computers and the Internet has had a tremendous impact on the world, so it is no surprise that many business owners are embracing HR technology to benefit all facets of their businesses.

HR automation technology eliminates paperwork, manages compliance, onboards new hires, tracks vacation hours, tracks PTO, Applicant tracking, document signing, annual reviews, terminations, benefits communication, documentation management, and list goes on.

Every Company can Benefit from a Solid HR Technology Platform

It’s critical for even the smallest companies to make sense of all their data so they may thrive in a competitive market. Prior to the internet, HR recruiters had to rely on print publications to post jobs and find qualified candidates. Technology has revolutionized and globalized the way in which we find these qualified candidates.

In terms of training, there couldn’t be a more efficient manner to bring staff members up to speed. The ability for large numbers of employees to gain quick access to company information and training programs from remote locations has enormous benefits.

Electronic imaging has made it feasible for companies to retrieve and store files in electronic format. HR technology makes it easy to simply print any necessary forms that an employee may need from a central digital library.

Increased performance management is yet another byproduct of technological improvement. With the use of metrics, companies can ensure that employees are meeting performance standards; based on these metrics, employers can either implement additional training, or transition the employee out of their position.

With all of these developments, business leaders would be wise to understand these technology trends that will shape the year ahead, and far beyond. As a result, companies are vastly improving their strategic recruiting, performance management, employee development, social networking, and internal employee communications – all vital business issues.

This is a very compelling time to be in business, especially with all of the technological options available to business owners – and they will continue to get more and more innovative!