NAVIGATING EARNED WAGE ACCESS OPTIONS: FINDING THE RIGHT SOLUTION

Earned wage access (EWA) is the increasingly accepted term referring to an employee’s ability to access a portion of earned wages in between pay periods. EWA is not a loan, but an advance payment on funds available in the employees’ next paycheck. Financial technology advancements have allowed for significant growth in EWA solutions. However, growing input from state and federal regulatory agencies suggests that PEOs need to carefully consider which solutions most closely adhere to regulatory guidance.

• LEGAL & LEGISLATIVE

PEOS’ ROLE IN ADDRESSING WORKPLACE STRESS

The pandemic was a wake-up call for many of the largest U.S. companies who have since implemented a wide range of initiatives to address mental health concerns among their employees. PEOs have a role to play in addressing the issue of stress in the workplace and the social stigma surrounding mental health, for our internal employees, for our clients, and for our communities.

• HR & BENEFITS

401(K) FIDUCIARY RESPONSIBILITIES FOR PEO PLAN SPONSORS: IS YOUR COMPANY SUFFICIENTLY PROTECTED?

When a PEO offers a 401(k) plan to clients, the company becomes a fiduciary on the plan and assumes numerous ongoing responsibilities. This is not an employee benefit that can be set up and delegated in its entirety to the 401(k) service providers; as the fiduciary, you always have ultimate responsibility for the plan and for participant assets. The number of 401(k) lawsuits has grown in recent years, and as a result, you should select a combination of service providers that helps optimally protect the company from claims surrounding mismanagement of the retirement plan.

• HR & BENEFITS
• LEGAL & LEGISLATIVE

CALIFORNIA’S NEW CANNABIS PROTECTIONS FOR EMPLOYEES: WHAT PEOS NEED TO KNOW

As more and more states legalize the use of cannabis for both medical and recreational purposes, worker advocates have increasingly pushed for corresponding employment legislation that protect employees’ right to use cannabis without the fear of adverse employment action. This is a growing area of the law that can create real compliance challenges for PEO clients on issues ranging from hiring decisions to workplace drug testing.

• LEGAL & LEGISLATIVE

COMING SOON? A NEW JOINT EMPLOYER STANDARD

On September 7, 2022, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) released a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) that would update the requirements for whether a company is a joint employer under the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA). The NPRM proposes to rescind and replace the current final rule, entitled “Joint Employer Status Under the National Labor Relations Act,” that took effect on April 27, 2020.

• LEGAL & LEGISLATIVE

HOW TO MAKE YOUR TECHNOLOGY OFFERINGS FAB: FUNCTIONAL, ALL-INCLUSIVE, AND BENEFIT ALL

One area where we serve our clients is by providing technology, but are our technology offerings up to par? Has our technology kept up with our workforce? Where are we stuck? Where are we falling short? How do we create the change we need to walk the electronic walk? And how inclusive, really, is our technology? For those of us who’ve participated in annual goal setting meetings, we’re familiar with the intentionally weird moniker big hairy audacious goal or BHAG. I prefer a slightly smoother approach: functional, all-inclusive, and benefits all or FAB. Are your PEO’s technological offerings FAB?

• CYBERSECURITY & TECHNOLOGY

ANATOMY OF A CYBERATTACK: KEY CRISIS COMMUNICATION STRATEGIES

Crisis communication is a large part of that response plan. It includes the collection, organization, and dissemination of timely and factual information to mitigate the impact of a crisis. It’s the dialogue between your PEO, your clients, and respective stakeholders before, during, and after an incident. Effective crisis communication planning takes the confusion and panic out of a crisis and replaces it with accurate, clear information and reassures that help is on the way.

• CYBERSECURITY & TECHNOLOGY

THE PEO ADVANTAGE: HOW PEOS HELP SMALL BUSINESS EMPLOYERS SAFEGUARD THEIR TALENT

For today’s PEOs and the employers they represent, attracting and retaining talent requires facing challenges on multiple fronts. Workers’ priorities have shifted to center on health and wellness in the wake of the pandemic. Employers must recognize and support the “whole employee,”and attend to employees’ needs both on and off the clock. Runaway inflation has further raised the stakes, compelling small business employers to help their staff manage a higher cost of living amid steeper supply costs. And the Great Shuffle has heightened the competition for talent, empowering employees to leave if their needs are not met.

• HR & BENEFITS

THE TOOL FOR BUILDING THE BUSINESS CASE FOR PEO

In my last article, we covered the role of the salesperson in the underwriting process and the important documents we need to gain from prospective clients to effectively underwrite them for a proposal. In this article, we are going to talk about something very exciting - your proposal request form. Don’t go too crazy on me, because this is a very important document to effectively build your business case.

• SALES & MARKETING

ANATOMY OF A CYBERATTACK PART 2: IS YOUR BUSINESS PREPARED?

To better protect your business against cyberattacks, you should be aware of the common cyberattack trends that can put your business at significant risk and best practices to protect to implement.

• CYBERSECURITY & TECHNOLOGY

CULTURAL CHANGES IMPACTING INSURERS AND EMPLOYERS

Whether it be the pandemic, the Great Resignation, or sweeping social and regulatory changes, there can be no denying that insurers and employers alike are going through a significant cultural change that hasn’t been seen since the passing of the Affordable Care Act (ACA).

• HR & BENEFITS
• RISK

DEVELOPING A PEO INTERN PROGRAM

PEOs can contribute in a meaningful way to find and develop talent by offering internships. Many local universities have resources available to assist in starting an intern program, and talent is already in the pipeline waiting to be tapped. Since finding and keeping talent is a top concern for all employers, now is the time to do some research and begin developing a plan. With proper planning and implementation, an intern program can be very beneficial for the PEO, the student, and the PEO industry overall.

• HR & BENEFITS

STEPPING UP OUR FEDERAL LOBBYING EFFORTS: WHY IT MATTERS

As the industry continues to grow, we will continue to expand our lobbying presence in Washington. Ramping up our efforts and resources will be necessary to meet the challenges presented to PEOs. The hiring of Mehlman has, and will continue to, helped NAPEO and the PEO industry navigate the many challenges that await.

• LEGAL & LEGISLATIVE

THE PEO AND INSURANCE BROKER ALLIANCE: CONFESSIONS OF A GROUP INSURANCE BROKER

As insurance brokers, we know we have to start getting some quotes from PEOs, but most brokers are too scared to make the call. Why? It’s partially because we still mostly have no idea what a PEO is among other reasons. So, it’s up to you, the PEOs, to seize the opportunity! Convince us we should want to get quotes from you and make it easy for us. Better yet, teach us how a PEO really works and how businesses thrive with PEOs. Just get group brokers to love your PEO.

• HR & BENEFITS

NAPEO GIVES BACK SUPPORTS COACHELLA VALLEY RESCUE MISSION

As the Co-Chair of the NAPEO Gives Back Committee, I’m proud to share that Coachella Valley Rescue Mission has been selected as our 2022 NAPEO Gives Back partner.

ANATOMY OF A CYBER ATTACK: PART 1

In upcoming articles in this series, we will cover some of the different types of hacks and hacktivism that are most common today in greater detail. And while each of these different types have specific preventative and reactionary steps that should be taken, there are some measures that are universal regardless of the type of attack and resulting outcome of them. For example, if it is an email that contains links or attachments that you don’t recognize then don’t click on anything. Deleting the email immediately is the safest option. If you get an email from someone and the wording doesn’t seem consistent with previous interactions, then don’t just take it at face value. Contact the sender in a different email or phone call and confirm what you are seeing is legitimate before you do anything else.

• CYBERSECURITY & TECHNOLOGY

Designing a Benefits Strategy to Help Curb the U.S. Caregiving Crisis

PEOs are uniquely positioned to lead the conversation about supporting caregivers with their clients to ensure caregiving in the workplace is no longer stigmatized. It starts with providing an objective view of their clients’ benefit strategies as well as organizational structure, and identifying the gaps in support for the worksite employees that might exist. When considering the benefits to implement as we come out of the pandemic, begin with evaluating the culture and environment within your client’s organization so you can help them design a benefits strategy that is tailored to that specific workforce.

• HR & BENEFITS

FORGING RELATIONSHIPS WITH POLICYMAKERS

The PEO industry has made great strides in recent years in raising public awareness in large part due to NAPEO’s industry marketing efforts. While the future seems bright, it is unfortunate that still many people do not have a clear understanding of what PEOs are all about. Regrettably, many legislators and regulators fall into this category which is why industry advocacy is so very important.

• LEGAL & LEGISLATIVE

Preparing for the Next Wave of Workplace Litigation

Just as the pandemic seems to be at a manageable point and you think you can breathe easy for a bit, it’s time for you to gear up for the next wave of workplace troubles. A confluence of several events will likely lead workplaces across the country to face a wave of employment litigation at the end of 2022 and well into 2023. What forces are leading to this inevitable future, what will it look like, and what should PEOs do to prepare?

• LEGAL & LEGISLATIVE

Understanding the Sales Team’s Role In Effective Underwriting

In the early days of the PEO industry, a PEO salesperson only had to submit a census of employee and payroll data, workers’ compensation codes and health plan participation to get a proposal/pricing. There was no underwriting or scrutiny of the prospect’s information, no credit check, no comparisons. Consequently, due to a failure to manage risk, some PEOs went out of business or lost their workers’ compensation insurance or health insurance plans. The PEO industry’s reputation took a hit in some markets.

• SALES & MARKETING

Workers’ Comp Reserves: Finding the Right Number

While walking one day, I ran into a neighbor doing yard work. We hadn’t spoken much before, but upon striking up conversation I soon learned of his love of woodworking. His excitement led him to take me on a tour of his basement, where I saw all manner of intricate saws and Depression-era tools, along with beautiful pieces of furniture. The neighbor was giddy as he showed what was clearly one of the great joys in his life. Similarly, as an actuary, “finding the right number” is one my great joys. Best yet, this topic is applicable to all industries and coverages. So, how does an actuary find the right number?

• RISK

A NEW FOCUS ON ‘RETURN TO WORK’

“I just can’t find the workers we need,” is an intensifying concern we hear every day from nearly every client. While the staffing function previously stayed in the middle-management court, it now has the appreciably driving attention of our clients’ most senior executives. In 2022, every employee counts.

• HR & BENEFITS

Quick Hits

The latest industry news and farewell to long-time PEO Insider editor Stephanie Oetjen.

SOMETHING’S GOT TO GIVE

Even prior to the pandemic and surging inflation, PEOs are being asked to do more with less. Shortages in the available workforce, delays in virtually all supply chains, and increasing prices are crushing profits and putting significant pressure on management just to keep their businesses alive. What’s the solution?