Friends with Employee Benefits (OneDigital CT)

With the workforce becoming increasingly diverse year over year, employers are struggling with finding the right type of benefits that fit all their employees' needs. But there's one benefit that's ranked as the second most valuable employee benefit among all age groups, demographics, and industries: lifestyle spending accounts (LSAs). Tune into this episode as the host and guests dive into what LSA's are, why they are gaining traction amongst many different types of employers, how they work, and the success stories - directly from an employer who's leveraging them.   

Music By: Colin Cross Music

Music By: Colin Cross Music

Healthcare is complex, confusing and frustrating at times.

During this season, we'll be catching up with local carrier partners from across the state to get their view of the healthcare and health insurance landscape in Connecticut and the strategies they are putting in place for cost containment, member experience, product innovation, and more.

Music By: Colin Cross Music

What is the definitive definition of involuntary termination for the COBRA subsidy? Can an employer ask for documentation that an employee has received the vaccine? How can we build vaccine confidence with employees? What are the considerations for those who have moved out of state due to remote work? We tackle your pressing questions during this podcast episode.

This discussion was taken from our webinar we hosted back on 4/27.

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Generative AI is, and will continue, to transform the American Workplace. How can HR and business leaders prepare for this change?

Vinay Gidwaney, Chief Product Officer and our go-to AI expert at OneDigital, joins Host Jeff Cross, Client Executive, for a discussion around artificial intelligence (AI) - including what it is, where we currently stand with AI, how it's impacting the workplace and what employers can do to protect their business and their people, while also taking advantage of the opportunities that come with new technology. 45 minutes packed with what you can expect to continue to see from AI, what AI will never replace and how those who take advantage now will be well positioned in the future. 

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In today’s competitive job market, finding skilled workers has become a pressing challenge for employers across various industries. Jim Bologa, President and CEO at Porter & Chester Institute, joins Jeff Cross to share valuable insights and strategies to help bridge the skills gap. The two speak on workforce shortages and explore how Porter & Chester works with employers across New England to help solve this problem. 

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With being almost a full year into the new Connecticut Paid Family and Medical Leave program, we decided to sit down with a CT-based employer to find out how things are going. Kate Pikul, HR Director at Avid Marketing, shares her experiences with the state plan, how her team and employees are finding the process, what hurdles they are still facing and what's next as they look at the private plan options. This 40-minute episode is packed full of great insight into the CT PFML program - take a listen and let us know what you think!

For more information on CT PFML, check out our website here: https://www.onedigital.com/ct-paid-leave/

Music By: Colin Cross Music

Music By: Colin Cross Music

It’s an extraordinary time in human capital management. CHRO’s are in lockstep with the c-suite as they determine how to fundamentally reshape how they operate. Leaders are quickly realizing there is no such thing as a “new normal.” Rather, they must completely rethink the employer-employee relationship.

Jason Lauritsen, employee engagement expert and keynote speaker, joins the podcast to discuss why employee engagement is crucial to a company's success and what it means in our current environment, what he finds is the biggest issue employers face with engagement, how to leverage feedback the right way to empower employees and much more. If you're in a management position - you must give this a listen.

About Jason Lauritsen

Far too many people are suffering through bad experiences at work. I was one of them. After years of frustration, I discovered that it didn’t have to be this way. That is when I realized my calling: to make work human. Over the past twenty years, I’ve experimented with management and leadership from a variety of perspectives. I’ve been both a start-up CEO and F1000 corporate executive. I’ve led small and large teams. And, I’ve spent well over a decade studying, researching, and designing solutions for employee engagement. Whether I’m speaking, training, writing or consulting, my goal is always the same. To help people think differently about work so they can make work better. I use stories of my life experience as an entrepreneur, executive, spouse, father, and human being to make the message relatable and entertaining.

Additional Resources

• Website: https://jasonlauritsen.com/
• Book: Unlocking High Performance
• ENGAGE Chat with Sara Tarca: https://www.onedigital.com/engage-chat/

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100% retention in 24 months in this labor market? Sounds impossible - but that's been the reality for The Walker Group and co-CEO, Jessica Rich, who over the past year helped her organization turn to a Perpetual Purpose Trust (PPT) ownership structure. PPT for short, made most popular by Patagonia recently turning to this structure in 2022, legally empowers a company to organize around its purpose, rather than just profit. In this episode, Jeff Cross, podcast host, and Jessica Rich dive into why the Walker Group looked into PPT, what it has done for their business, their employees, and the community as well as why employers are reaching out to learn more about this ownership structure.

Join Jessica and her team for a virtual panel discussion on Wednesday, September 25th, from 12-1 PM EST on their transition to a Perpetual Purpose Trust. Click here to get more details!

Check out The Walker Group's website for more details on PPT: https://www.thewalkergroup.com/perpetual-purpose-trust

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With less than 3 months to go before Connecticut Paid Leave Benefits kick-in, employers and HR professionals across the state are looking for answers as it relates to the process of applying and tracking claims, if a private plan option is still advantageous, and why employers should be holding on to their STD plans. Ben and Chris from the Principal join Host Jeff Cross to answer these questions and more while providing insight into what they've been seeing in other states. If you still have questions around CT PFML - this is the episode for you.

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In this episode, Host Jeff Cross is joined by Travis Dommert, SVP of Talent at OneDigital, for a candid conversation around why retaining your employees is not the answer when an organization is building their workforce strategy. Travis challenges the status quo by identifying how changing one word can completey alter the way leaders show up for their people and how employees view their managers - in the best way. 

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More employers are utilizing a benefits administration tool to increase efficiency and enhance the employee experience. In fact, 66% of employers are now more digital than paper-based when it comes to managing employees' benefits.

But that other 34% are falling behind. Cue the objections: "my employees' don't have access to a smartphone," "it's too expensive" or my personal favorite: "my employees' aren't comfortable with technology." In speaking with our customers, we hear this type of feedback all the time, but the truth is that your employees' do want technology.

Tune into this episode with special guest, Frank Mengert, Founder/Owner of EBM, as we uncover how benefits administration (benadmin) technology is not only improving the employee experience, but it's allowing HR teams to get more time back in their day. We discuss what types of questions employers and HR managers should be asking when looking for a benadmin platform, how to successfully implement their new technology, how to avoid technology regret and where this type of technology is heading in the foreseeable future. Great episode for those looking to add technology to their open enrollment experience, or who need help making the business case with their teams.

About EBM

Work harder, not smarter. Empower your organization to work more strategically with technology solutions that increase capacity and put more time back in your day through streamlining and automating your benefits administration, HR, and compliance processes.

As a premier service provider of employee benefits technology solutions, we partner with benefit consultants, insurance carriers, and enrollment firms to streamline benefits administration, HR, and compliance processes for employers.

We put more time back in your day so you can get back to focusing on what matters most to your business.

https://getebm.com/

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Healthcare is complex, confusing and frustrating at times.

During this season, we'll be catching up with local carrier partners from across the state to get their view of the healthcare and health insurance landscape in Connecticut and the strategies they are putting in place for cost containment, member experience, product innovation, and more.

Music By: Colin Cross Music

Music By: Colin Cross Music

According to the EEOC, 87% - 94% of individuals who are harassed do not file a claim. Your office's culture has the most significant impact on harassment – whether that’s letting it flourish or preventing it. We sat down with Mary Gambardella from Wiggin and Dana to talk about how the #MeToo Movement is affecting organizations across Connecticut.

From its origins to legislation that has come as a result to best practices, this episode gives a grand overview on what employers need to know about sexual harassment in the workplace. Whether you have 3 employees or 5,000 employees, this episode is beneficial for all employers and HR professionals across the state as Mary gives insight into how organizations can be better equipped to handle, navigate, and prevent sexual harassment in the workplace.

(This presentation is a summary of legal principles. Nothing in this presentation constitutes legal advice, which can only be obtained as a result of a personal consultation with an attorney. The information published here is believed accurate at the time of publication, but is subject to change and does not purport to be a complete statement of all relevant issues.)

About Mary Gambardella:

Mary brings decades of experience in helping clients comply with ever-changing labor laws and regulations, as well as in managing employment challenges such as sensitive terminations, sexual harassment, reductions in workforce, discrimination claims, and severance agreements. She is a proactive resource for clients seeking her counsel on a variety of human resource issues before they become a costly crisis, as well as a fierce advocate when crises arise.

About Wiggin and Dana LLP:

Wiggin and Dana is a full-service law firm with more than 140 attorneys. We are a true partnership of highly talented, creative and experienced lawyers dedicated to exceeding our clients' expectations every day.

With offices in Connecticut, New York, Philadelphia, Washington, DC, and Palm Beach, we represent clients throughout the United States and globally on a wide range of sophisticated and complex matters. From defending a Fortune 500 institution in “bet-the-company” litigation, to helping the next generation of inventors bring a new technology to market, to preserving the wealth that a family business has worked so hard to create, we pride ourselves in offering value driven solutions and results.

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When speaking with employers across Connecticut, the country and globally, we often find that employee wellbeing is something they plan to focus on in the near future but are admittedly slow to implement because they don’t feel equipped to address it properly and successfully. Often unsure what their role should be or how to define wellbeing, employers avoid confronting these issues head on.

Meanwhile, 75% of employees say they want their employers to champion their wellbeing in the workplace. Sara Tarca, Workforce Health Consultant, joins us on this episode to talk about how employers can get the most out of their health and wellbeing resources and truly make wellbeing part of their overall engagement and business strategy. Topics discussed include the transition from wellness to wellbeing, making the business case for a wellbeing strategy, the impact on productivity and performance and more.

About Sara Tarca

As Workforce Health Consultant, Sara utilizes over 20 years of experience in the Wellness and Health Promotion industry to support employers as they look to navigate and make strides in workforce health improvement. Throughout her career, Sara has provided insight, strategy, program development and trend analysis to client populations as related to health improvement, cost containment, benefit structure and RVOI. Her experience working “both sides of the table”, first as a practitioner (personal trainer, health coach, clinician), then as a representative for the insurance carrier, advisor and benefits administrator, has allowed Sara to develop a unique understanding of the needs and challenges that employers face in the wellness arena.

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Open Enrollment can be a very hectic time for everyone. From planning and communications to activation and evaluation, it's a year-round endeavor for you and your team. According to Guardian's Workplace Benefits Study, 3 out of 5 employers say managing their benefits program has become increasingly complex. And if they are finding it difficult, imagine what your employees are feeling.

Spencer Sanz, Account Executive over at JellyVision, joins us to talk about how we can make Open Enrollment more effective and engaging year-round. From best practices surrounding communication timelines, dropping the HR jargon and the big shift to digital channels, Spencer has a lot of great advice on making Open Enrollment something you and your employees are excited about rather than dreading. Whether you are in the middle of Open Enrollment or are prepping for the coming months, this is a great episode filled with actionable items to implement at your organization.

For more tools and resources to help you run OE like a pro, check out OneDigital's Open Enrollment Hub. Crush one of the more challenging aspects of your job and get employees the coverage and peace of mind they deserve.

About JellyVision

We help people make smart decisions about their health, benefits, and finances. We do that by breaking down these stressful topics with clarity, humanity, and humor. We make videos, interactive webpages, and the occasional t-shirt, but we’re best known for our conversations: online experiences that simulate a conversation with a real person that asks questions, remembers answers, and offers personalized guidance with a bit of personality. That’s ALEX.

ALEX is used by more than 1,500 companies with more than 18 million employees in total, who altogether spend more than $115 billion in health insurance premiums each year. ALEX offers those employees guidance in choosing the best plan for their needs, and their wallets.

Music By: Colin Cross Music

Music By: Colin Cross Music

Leave management has taken the northeast by storm recently—starting in New York, Massachusetts, and now, in Connecticut. As an HR manager, keeping track of state legislation as well as national leave trends is essential to better support your employees as paid family leave becomes more and more complex.

Rich Lombard & Jeff Wasco from Guardian give us a complete rundown on the new CT Paid Family & Medical Leave (CT PFML) Law, talking about the changes from the current legislation, how it will affect organizations across the state, and what employers need to know today to be better prepped in the coming years. This episode not only covers the new legislation in CT, but leave trends across the country. Tune in to make sure you are up-to-date on what's to come from the CT PFML.

Click here to download our CT Paid Family & Medical Leave Law cheat sheet.

About Guardian

Guardian has been helping people protect their future and secure their lives for more than 150 years. Every day, we serve 27 million people, by helping them find financial confidence and well-being in life, health, and wealth. We help people plan for their family and save for retirement. We help companies take care of their employees.  And we help both recover and thrive in times of unexpected loss.

Today, we provide life, disability, dental, and other benefits for individuals, at the workplace, and through government-sponsored programs. And as one of the largest mutual insurance companies, we know what matters most:  putting the needs of our customers first.

Because everyone deserves a Guardian.

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Healthcare spend is expected to rise another 6% in 2020, creating an unsustainable rate for employers nationwide. With this in mind and a new year around the corner, it's important for employers to look at solutions that are disrupting the industry and will remain "hot" in 2020.

Ron Theriault, Principal from OneDigital Connecticut, joins us on the podcast to give his take on what employers should be looking out for in 2020, as well as helping recap what a year it's been for the healthcare industry. Topics covered include Connecticut Paid Leave, cost containment strategies, concierge member services movement, the upcoming election and more.

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About Wheeler Clinic

Wheeler Clinic is a community health center and Connecticut's most comprehensive nonprofit provider of primary and behavioral health services. They provide comprehensive solutions that address complex health issues, providing individuals, families and communities with accessible, innovative care. Click here to learn more about Wheeler Clinic.

About Healing Meals Community Project

Healing Meals is proud to be a Ceres Affiliate Partner, a national network of organizations building healthier communities by empowering young people, promoting community service, caring for our neighbors and restoring healthy and organic fresh foods to their place as the foundation of health for people and planet. We are the only non-profit in Connecticut that experientially teaches about healthy foods from ‘start to finish.’ Click here to learn more about Healing Meals.

About Connecticut Junior Republic (CJR)

CJR’s skilled and compassionate staff members help children, youth and families identify and utilize their strengths to meet challenges, resolve problems and relate to others in healthier, happier and more productive ways. Since its founding in 1904, the Connecticut Junior Republic has helped thousands of young people go on to lead productive and fulfilled lives by providing the care, treatment and educational services necessary for growth and change to occur. Assistance is provided on a daily basis through an array of residential, education, community and home-based services in 11 locations across Connecticut. Click here to learn more about CJR.

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The recent surge in COVID cases nationwide has upped the stakes for employers in their efforts to maintain safe workplaces for employees. To address the risk related to unvaccinated employee status, employers are evaluating several options that range from a mandate to friendly suggestions. Tune into this episode as we tackle the most pressing questions from employers!

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Paul LaVoie, Chief Manufacturing Officer for the State of Connecticut, joins Host Jeff Cross for a conversation about the state of manufacturing in CT and the impact the current workplace challenges are having on this. The two dive into topics such as staffing, the great resignation, the impact of a recession, bringing more work to CT and more. If you are a business leader in the CT manufacturing space, you do not want to miss this episode.

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Before you press play, make sure you go back to Part 1 released on January 10th to hear the first part of this conversation between Host Jeff Cross and David Tate.

Being able to promote accountability is essential for organizational success. But the realities of how work has changed demand a new approach to accountability that supports results, people, and a culture of continuous improvement. Host Jeff Cross sat down with David Tate, Psychologist, Executive Coach, Professor at Yale, and Co-Author of his recently released book, "Conscious Accountability", to discuss why accountability is so important and how can leaders can leverage this idea of "conscious accountability" to make their organization more effective and a better place to work. An episode that is full of golden nuggets and great insights - perfect for any employer looking to make their business a destination workplace.

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Healthcare is complex, confusing and frustrating at times.

During this season, we'll be catching up with local carrier partners from across the state to get their view of the healthcare and health insurance landscape in Connecticut and the strategies they are putting in place for cost containment, member experience, product innovation, and more.

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Rachel Waldmann, Sr. Manager of Employee Experience at Privy, joined us this week to discuss the shift we are seeing from the term "Human Resources" to this idea of the People Experience and how employees are expecting more from their employers, brought on by the pandemic and the Great Resignation. The two also get into this idea of being happy at work; why employers should care about their employee's happiness level and ways that HR professionals and other leaders in the organization can get their teammates more engaged at work. Lastly, Host Jeff Cross asks Rachel where she sees the future of HR heading. 

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As work changes, so does the dynamic between employee and employer. An entirely new approach to engagement and performance is influencing the nature of work and challenging the fundamental elements of the traditional employee-employer relationship. To dig into this shift further, download our 2020-2021 Emerging Trends in HR & Workforce Management Guide.

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This recording was taken from a live webinar hosted on 1/28. To watch the on-demand experience and access the resources mentioned during this conversation, click here.

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Back in December, we had US Senator Chris Murphy join the podcast to chat about the future of Healthcare in CT. To get the other side of the aisle, we invited CT State Senator Kevin Kelly to join the podcast to chat about where he sees the future of healthcare going and what the Republican Party is currently doing about it. 

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Sleep happens outside of work hours - so why should employers care about their employees sleeping habits? Patrick Yam, CEO at Somnology, joins Host Jeff Cross, to dive into this and address the impact sleep has on employer-sponsored health plans as well as employee wellbeing, in addition to what HR professionals can do to better support their employees during the Q4 stress.

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Dig more into these news stories here:

• Hidden Candy
• Buddy the Beefalo
• Train Saved by Whale Tail
• 14-Year Old Makes Massive Discovery
• Puppy Born Green in Italy
• Dog Walks 62 Miles to Find Owner
• Tokyo Toilet Project
• CT Museum Trying For World Record

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Mental health awareness is more than just one month out of the year.

It's a year-round opportunity to continue to show up for your employees so they can do their best work and live their best life. And that's how Lisa Harris, Chief People Officer, and Jody Breault, Manager of Benefits and Wellness at VEIC, view their workforce strategy. In this conversation, host Jeff Cross chats with Lisa and Jody about the innovative ways they are supporting their employees' mental health and wellbeing to create a positive workplace environment. Topics include their mental health initiatives, "focus + finish Fridays," employee engagement ideas for a remote workforce, and leadership buy-in. 

Music By: Colin Cross Music

Resources mentioned during this episode:

• Upcoming ENGAGE Chat on 12/3
• New York Times Webinar: 

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It's our favorite moments of 2019! Join us as we re-live some of our favorite quotes from each episode of 2019. Thank you for taking this journey with us and we look forward to Season 2 launching February 2020!

Music By: Colin Cross Music

Music By: Colin Cross Music

Business & HR Leaders were bracing for rising benefits costs this year - and that was before the pandemic. Pharmacy benefits typically represent nearly 30% of a company's total healthcare expenses and are predicted to increase by roughly 6% annually through 2025. This week's episode dives into what employers can be doing to manage their costs, how to help employees maximize their drug benefit, and the impact the election may have on prescription drugs.

About OneDigital Pharmacy Consulting
Prescription drugs are not only an integral part of the benefits you offer but ensure your employees receive quality healthcare. In an era of Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PBM) consolidation, skyrocketing specialty drug cost and over-utilization, 10-15% of pharmacy spend is lost due to unfavorable pharmacy contracts. Mismanaged pharmacy benefits can result in excess Rx spend up to 20%.

Through a comprehensive clinical review and thorough customer education, OneDigital’s pharmacy consultants take a unique approach that combines an in-depth claims analysis, emphasizes appropriate utilization and a rigorous provider contracting process to take risk-mitigation to the next level. Learn more here.

Access our latest Advisory Session mentioned on the podcast, Uncovering the Truth Behind Your Pharmacy Spend.

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Stephanie Johnson, Training Consultant, joins Jeff Cross on our first episode of 2022 to chat about hiring diversely. Employers have been prioritizing their DE&I efforts over the past few years, but many are still struggling with where to start. Stephanie dives into what it means to hire diversely, the steps HR professionals should take to ensure they are increasing the diversity in their applicant pool, where she finds they usually get stuck and how blind resumes and interviews play a role in the process.

Here are additional resources to support the conversation:

• https://www.shrm.org/resourcesandtools/hr-topics/behavioral-competencies/global-and-cultural-effectiveness/pages/beyond-the-numbers-creating-a-truly-diverse-organization.aspx
• https://www.forbes.com/sites/alineholzwarth/2021/02/18/how-to-actually-hire-for-diversity/?sh=40dcba8846f9
• https://www.shrm.org/resourcesandtools/hr-topics/talent-acquisition/pages/8-diversity-recruiting-mistakes-how-to-avoid-them.aspx
• https://sapientinsights.com/capabilities-diversity-equity-inclusion/

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Karen Casey, Head of People & Culture at Canidae Pet, joined Host Jeff Cross this week to discuss an important topic that all human resource professionals run into at some point in their career: managing poor performers. The two get into a great discussion around coaching vs. managing, how much time performance improvement plans should be given, how the employee's role in the workplace culture may be just as important as their performance, advice for when you have to let someone go, how to deal with the fall-out amongst other employees, and more. There's a lot packed into this 36-minute episode and for good reason. If you are in HR, or have a part in the people side of your organization, give this a listen!

Music By: Colin Cross Music

Healthcare is complex, confusing and frustrating at times.

During this season, we'll be catching up with local carrier partners from across the state to get their view of the healthcare and health insurance landscape in Connecticut and the strategies they are putting in place for cost containment, member experience, product innovation, and more.

Music By: Colin Cross Music

Music By: Colin Cross Music

Sara Martin, CEO at WELCOA, joins the podcast to chat about her thoughts on the Great Resignation, how mental health has played a role, what employers and leaders should be doing about it and where she sees the future of work heading. An impactful 30-minute episode for any organization looking to support their workforce holistically in 2022.

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As more businesses feel the effects and plan for the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, it’s imperative for organizations to proactively manage their workforce and respond to the outbreak and the potential workplace disruption. Reilly Billian from our Human Resource Consulting team joins us on this episode to provide helpful guidance as to how employers can navigate these unchartered territories.

Officially declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization, the coronavirus is leaving employers reasonably concerned about their businesses and workforce. The OneDigital Coronavirus Advisory Hub is designed to present practical solutions that are actionable, timely and helpful in shaping workforce decision-making. Check back for the latest news and directives for this emerging pandemic.

Click here to learn more about our HR Consulting Team!

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The information contained here and the statements expressed are a general nature and are not intended to address the circumstances of any particular or individual entity. Please consult with your local OneDigital advisory team member for advice specific to your situation.

Jeff Hogan, Northeast Regional Manager at Rogers Benefit Group and current member of the Move to Value Alliance, dives into a new shift happening in healthcare during this episode. Tune in to learn why this shift is happening, what employers need to do to turn benefit plans into performing assets, and how pharmacy plays into this movement.

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Most likely, the vast majority of your employees have or are currently experiencing some sort of trauma brought on by current life events. Inflation, rising gas prices, the war in Ukraine, political divisiveness - just to name a few of the ongoing stories hitting the 5:00 news that are causing stress levels to rise and distracting us from being able to focus on our daily tasks.

Adrienne Rouan, Executive Trauma Coach, sits down with Jeff Cross for a candid conversation around how we can better manage the amount of turmoil going on in across the country and the world. The two also get into how to prevent divisiveness between colleagues at work, and what we can do during Mental Health Awareness month to better support our employees' and our own mental wellbeing. This is 29 minutes packed with great insights and open dialogue - grab your coffee (or tea!) and enjoy.

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In this quick hit episode, we'll cover why SECURE 2.0 was created, what the impact will mean for your organization + your people, what deadlines are approaching, and what employers should be thinking about now to implement in the future.

This material has been prepared for informational purposes only, and is not intended to provide, and should not be relied on for, accounting, legal or tax advice. Any tax advice contained herein is of a general nature. You should seek specific advice from your tax professional before pursuing any idea contemplated herein.

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Keeping track of state legislation, as well as national leave trends, is essential to better support your employees as paid family leave becomes more and more complex. According to the EEOC, the average cost of defending a family medical leave lawsuit is $78,000, and if found guilty of wrongful termination, damages can range from $87,000 to $450,000.

Sandwiched between New York and Massachusetts, we've seen how intricate the process can be which is why it's important to get ahead of the curve now to be better prepared with what's to come with Connecticut Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML). This episode is great for those just starting to dig into the new law or those who want a quick refresher!

To continue this conversation, check out our latest advisory webinar where Andrea Barton Reeves, CEO of the CT Paid Leave Authority, Rich Lombard from Guardian and our internal taskforce tackle this topic in detail. 

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WIth Connecticut hospitalizations steadily decreasing, May 20th is looking favorable for Phase 1 of reopening the state as outlined by Governor Lamont. As employers start looking towards reopening, it's essential they bring together their stakeholders and leadership teams to begin planning out their back-to-work strategy. Michael Rambarose, President & CEO of Whitney Center, has done just that and joins us on the podcast to discuss what his re-emergence plan is once given the green light from Governor Lamont and what he is taking into consideration during this planning phase.

About Whitney Center
Whitney Center is a not-for-profit senior living community in Hamden, Connecticut that thrives on growth and purpose. We believe that we have a responsibility not only to our own community, but to the communities of Hamden and Greater New Haven area. By choosing Whitney Center, you’re choosing more than just a community. You’re choosing confidence for your future, and peace of mind for you and your family.

Learn more here: https://www.whitneycenter.com/about-us/

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About Family Centers

Since its inception 128 years ago in 1891, Family Centers has grown to offer quality education and human service programs that address the ever-changing challenges affecting residents of Fairfield County. Through 25 programs and services, Family Centers serves more than 21,000 residents each year. Click here to learn more about Family Centers.

About Community Renewal Team (CRT)

As the community action agency for Hartford and Middlesex counties, CRT helps individuals and families access resources that will help them meet immediate and longer-term needs, improve job skills, maintain or increase their independence, stabilize living situations, and achieve educational goals. We know that our work matters to our community. Click here to learn more about Community Renewal Team.

About StayWell Health Center

StayWell Health Center is committed to providing high-quality health care and social services for individuals and families throughout their lives. We care for the whole person by providing and coordinating medical, dental, and mental health with the focus on prevention. Click here to learn more about StayWell Health Center.

About Foodshare

As the regional food bank serving Hartford and Tolland counties, Foodshare is the largest anti-hunger organization in the Greater Hartford area. We maximize access to nutritious food and resources that support food security for our neighbors. Click here to learn more about Foodshare.

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Many organizations operate under the assumption that a traditional benefits approach is an acceptable strategy. But with 5 generations in the workforce, the continued adoption of conventional benefits strategy can negatively impact employee engagement and drive up organizational costs.

In fact, only 28% of employees believe the one-size-fits-all benefits approach is valuable. By maintaining a traditional benefits approach, you put 72% of your workforce at risk for voluntary attrition.

In this episode, we tackle how to effectively navigate your multigenerational workforce, focusing on the do's and don'ts as well as how these workforces are impacting benefits and the trends we are seeing across organizations.

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About Signify Health
Signify Health exists for a simple purpose: To drive health homeward. To do this, all parts of healthcare must work in harmony. We must innovate financing models, deliver holistic, human-centered care and focus relentlessly on outcomes. That's how we'll transform a fragmented healthcare system into one that's value-based and that enables more healthy, happy days at home.

Music By: Colin Cross Music

Music By: Colin Cross Music

In a recent study by Randstad, 77% of employees expect their employer to provide easier options for completing routine tasks compared to what was done 3 years ago, and 4 out of 10 employees report having left a job because they didn’t have access to the latest digital tools. 

Technology doesn’t just play a role in being able to complete day-to-day tasks but in how your employees communicate with you internally and helping them better understand their benefits. In this episode, we talk with Tom LaCascia from HealthJoy about how technology is transforming the employee benefits and HR space, focusing in on how it's helping provide an overall better employee experience. We even tackle the question everyone wants to know: how can technology help save money and aid in retaining top talent. From communication best practices to making HR more strategic, this episode is full of great discussion that applies to all employers, no matter the size or industry. 

About HealthJoy

The healthcare industry is notoriously difficult to navigate; Americans waste one-third of all healthcare dollars due to its complexity. Our mission is to simplify the healthcare experience in a way that provides access to better care at a lower cost.

Since 2014, HealthJoy has been committed to transforming the way people access healthcare. Through an easy-to-use app that brings together healthcare information with on-demand help, we enable people to be more informed and confident when making decisions. It’s no small feat, but our work makes a difference in people’s lives. We’ve helped employers provide a better benefits experience for hundreds of thousands of people.

Together we are building the future of healthcare.

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58% of those who are feeling stressed, depressed, and lonely attribute it to financial problems.* Whether employers realize it or not - a majority of their employees are dealing with financial stress which leads to distractions at work and decreased productivity. For business leaders who truly care about their employees and want them to be able to thrive at work while also being ready to retire on time, tune into this episode with Gordon Oliver at Cambridge Credit Counseling. You'll walk away with actionable steps you can put into place now to better support your workforce moving forward.

*John Hancock. "The impact of the pandemic on stress, finances, and well-being." August 2021.

Music By: Colin Cross Music

In light of recent national events that have brought stark racial inequalities to the forefront of the conversation, organizations everywhere are navigating and facilitating unfamiliar discussions between leadership, employees and customers. How an organization chooses to handle this situation will have a direct impact on the workforce and define organizational culture as a whole.

To bring light to this conversation, we were fortunate enough to have Simone Morris, CEO of Simone Morris Enterprise LLC, join us on the podcast to discuss diversity and inclusion in the workplace. She brings her wealth of knowledge from her career as an award-winning diversity and inclusion leader, to discuss with Jeff what types of conversations need to be had, who should be leading the charge on those discussions, and what organizations can do to best demonstrate their support for diversity and inclusion. The second-half of the episode covers the power behind a D&I strategy and how HR can help influence a more inclusive culture. A must-listen-to episode.

First Half of Episode - Most recent conversation with Simone regarding how the current events are impacting conversations in the workplace
Second Half of Episode - Conversation around diversity and inclusion in the workplace recorded a few months back

About Simone Morris

Simone Morris is an award-winning diversity and inclusion leader, consultant and speaker committed to diversifying the workplace, and training women and emerging leaders to take true leadership positions in all aspects of their lives. Ms. Morris serves as a pro-bono coach for the Stand Beside Them non-profit organization providing career coaching to those returning from the Military. She is also a supporter of the Women’s Mentoring Network, providing scholarships for their clients to attend her retreats and workshops to improve their lives.

Resources Mentioned

• Racism in America Discussion (6/25): https://www.eventbrite.com/e/racism-in-america-expert-panel-discussion-tickets-108637563878
• Inclusion Training: https://www.simonemorrisenterprises.org/inclusion-training
• "6 Ways Introverts Can Help in the Fight Against Racism": https://www.simonemorrisenterprises.org/post/breaking-the-silence-6-ways-introverts-can-help-in-the-fight-against-racism
• Simone Morris Website: https://www.simonemorrisenterprises.org/

Music By: Colin Cross Music 

Healthcare is complex, confusing and frustrating at times.

During this season, we'll be catching up with local carrier partners from across the state to get their view of the healthcare and health insurance landscape in Connecticut and the strategies they are putting in place for cost containment, member experience, product innovation, and more.

Music By: Colin Cross Music

Looking for helpful CT Paid Leave resources? Look no further:

• OneDigital Connecticut Paid Leave Portal
• OnDemand Webinar: CT Paid Leave & Absence Management: Which Way is Up?
• Employer FAQ Page

Music By: Colin Cross Music

Dr. Mary Mulcare, Chief Medical Officer at Summus Global, joins Host Jeff Cross in a lively discussion around "care delay," covid regulations on telemedicine that are expiring and how to continue the momentum around leveraging telehealth services. A timely episode as many are heading into Open Enrollment season and are looking to continue to support their employees from a virtual standpoint.

About Mary Mulcare

Mary Mulcare, MD, FACEP, is Chief Medical Officer at Summus Global. She oversees the Summus clinical team and supports product, data, and physician network strategy in support of Summus’ mission to provide fast, virtual access to high-quality medical expertise across the care continuum. She completed her Emergency Medicine residency at New York-Presbyterian Hospital, was Chief Resident, and then did a fellowship in Geriatric Emergency Medicine at Weill Cornell Medical Center. Dr. Mulcare was an attending Emergency Medicine physician at New York-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center and is an Assistant Professor of Clinical Emergency Medicine at Weill Cornell Medicine. 

About Summus Global:

Summus Global, the leading virtual specialist platform, empowers families by providing access to a network of 4,000+ top specialists across 48 leading hospitals -- within days, from anywhere in the world. Pioneering the future of corporate health benefits, Summus Global partners with companies across the country to create an elevated healthcare experience for their employees and to support better, cost-efficient outcomes across all health questions and stages of care. 

 
Music By: Colin Cross Music

About Senator Murphy

Christopher Scott Murphy is an American politician and author serving as the junior United States Senator from Connecticut since 2013. A member of the Democratic Party, he previously served in the United States House of Representatives, representing Connecticut's 5th congressional district from 2007 to 2013.

Music By: Colin Cross Music

Your Employees’ mental wellbeing is important now more than ever. Regardless of the state of your organization, whether operating at full capacity or with a skeleton crew, maximizing employee performance should be part of your survival plan. Taking care of employee wellbeing is taking care of your business.

Mettie Spiess, global workplace mental health expert, award-winning keynote speaker, and the Founder of A World Without Suicide, joins us to talk about how employers can effectively support their employees' mental health during this pandemic.

Officially declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization, the coronavirus is leaving employers reasonably concerned about their businesses and workforce. The OneDigital Coronavirus Advisory Hub is designed to present practical solutions that are actionable, timely and helpful in shaping workforce decision-making. Check back for the latest news and directives for this emerging pandemic.

About Mettie Spiess

Mettie Spiess is a global workplace mental health expert, award-winning keynote speaker, and the Founder of A World Without Suicide.

Over twenty industries across thirty-five countries have successfully utilized her innovative Voice. Value. Vigilance. process to support employee mental well-being and reduce the risk of crisis.

In 2016, the National Alliance on Mental Illness awarded Mettie the Education Advancement Award for her work to end the stigma associated with mental illness. The impact principles delivered in her signature keynotes and trainings are based on her decade of experience in the health and safety field.

About A World Without Suicide

A World Without Suicide (AWWS) Training & Consulting is a OneDigital Verified Vendor. Employers in 22 industries across 35 countries have utilized AWWS’ digital and live certified mental health safety trainings to support their employees and their bottom line. 

Visit StigmaFreeWorkplace.com to explore the ROI your workplace can expect!

Music By: Colin Cross Music

Being able to promote accountability is essential for organizational success. But the realities of how work has changed demand a new approach to accountability that supports results, people, and a culture of continuous improvement. Host Jeff Cross sat down with David Tate, Psychologist, Executive Coach, Professor at Yale, and Co-Author of his recently released book, "Conscious Accountability", to discuss why accountability is so important and how can leaders can leverage this idea of "conscious accountability" to make their organization more effective and a better place to work. It was such a great conversation that we had to split it into 2 parts - tune into to part 1 now!

Music By: Colin Cross Music

As you know, HR and employee benefits are constantly changing—with new regulations, like the CT Paid & Family Leave Act, to new technologies, including interactive benefit apps, disrupting and transforming the way we work. It’s our goal to help make sure you are clued in on what’s new, what’s next, and what’s on the horizon in the HR and employee benefits world. From open enrollment to employee recognition and everything in-between, we’ll be interviewing key experts in the field to help tackle these trending topics, all while attempting to make it entertaining along the way.

Be sure to click the subscribe button so you don’t miss an episode! And follow along with us on Facebook for highlights from each episode.

Intro/Outro Music By: Colin Cross Music

Gone are the days of the annual written performance review and a one-time meeting between employee and manager. According to Gallup, employees who do not feel adequately recognized are twice as likely to say they'll quit in the next year. To combat that, employers are looking to incorporate continuous or ongoing feedback to help build stronger bonds with their employees.

Tune into this episode where Jon Pace, Director of Operations  over at IT Direct joins us to discuss how you can effectively incorporate a little R&R (rewards and recognition) into your workplace to help increase employee engagement. Workplace culture, cupcakes and vanilla bean ice cream are some other topics we hit on in this inaugural episode—you don’t want to miss this!

About Jon Pace

Jon Pace is the Director of Operations at IT Direct in Hartford, CT.  His role is wide-spanning and covers not only business operations, but also HR, team development, and recruiting. Jon’s passion is to guide his teammates to success and to continue his own personal and business development. He enjoys learning and growing through life experiences, Ted talks, personal and professional development books, and seminars. At IT Direct, Jon uses his interpersonal and leadership skills to break down traditional barriers. He has made changes big and small, such as replacing annual performance reviews with stronger 1o1 practices, developing an intentional workplace culture, and creating a leadership development program. In addition to his many career successes, Jon describes himself, first and foremost, as a “family man” with three kids and a great wife by his side. He is a triathlete and just completed his first ½ Ironman this year! 

About IT Direct

IT Direct is an award-winning technology services firm that helps small to midsize organizations realize a competitive advantage by harnessing the power of technology to reach their business goals. We provide unrivaled multi-level support along with dedicated strategic guidance and management. These are backed by exceptional quality control systems that ensure our clients remain secure, productive, and ready for the future. We work together with our clients to learn about their unique business values and goals, their processes, and their current systems. These elements all come together to deliver superior results that advance our clients’ success.

Music By: Colin Cross Music

More than 1/3 of organizations have increased their benefits offerings to retain employees in the last 12 months, according to SHRM. More and more employers are looking to benefits to help them attract & retain top talent in a tight marketplace. But what benefits do these new generations that are just now entering the market, really want?

We've decided to go straight to the source for this bonus episode and poll our Millennial employees (and a GenZ-er) on what they want from employers. From an engaging culture to year-round performance reviews and student loan repayment benefits, we uncovered what the younger Millennial's and Generation Z-er's in the marketplace are looking for when applying to a job.

Music By: Colin Cross Music

About Ari Santiago

Ari Santiago is the President, CEO and Founder of IT Direct, a Technology Managed Service Provider in Hartford, CT. He has a passion for the manufacturing industry and the incredible impact it is making on our local economy.

About IT Direct

IT Direct is an award-winning technology services firm that helps small to midsize organizations realize a competitive advantage by harnessing the power of technology to reach their business goals. We provide unrivaled multi-level support along with dedicated strategic guidance and management. These are backed by exceptional quality control systems that ensure our clients remain secure, productive, and ready for the future. We work together with our clients to learn about their unique business values and goals, their processes, and their current systems. These elements all come together to deliver superior results that advance our clients’ success.

Check out their podcast, Made in America with Ari Santiago, for more great tips and best practices from business leaders in the manufacturing industry.

Music By: Colin Cross Music

Tune into this episode with Rebecca Sarkosi, Associate & Director of Interior Design, as she dives into something most employers forget about when putting together their strategy for combatting the great resignation: the physical workplace. During this discussion, Rebecca shares with Jeff how employers can leverage their office space to help their employees feel more comfortable coming back into the office. Topics include what changes employers are making to the workplace since COVID-19, making the commute more appealing and how the office space can aid in stress management.

Music By: Colin Cross Music