It’s a new year, but work still looks the same for many organizations. Employers are eager to find solutions to help their workforce cope as the pandemic drags on.
It’s a trend that’s highlighted by the five
Scroll through to see this month’s recap of EBN’s most-read Views pieces:
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1. How to spot depression and anxiety in the remote workplace and help your employees
According to new research by the Society for Human Resource Management, between 22% and 35% of U.S. employees are experiencing symptoms of depression as they live through the COVID-19 pandemic.
With a large percentage of the global workforce working from home remotely, it's imperative that employers be aware of the warning signs of mental health issues in their employees and respond proactively by promoting initiatives to prevent and respond to the emotional well-being of employees.
2. 4 steps employers should take to prepare for higher healthcare costs
The COVID-19 pandemic has markedly reduced the number of patients seeking preventive care and elective procedures. The American Hospital Association reported a nearly 20% drop in inpatient volumes and a nearly 35% decrease in outpatient volumes compared to baseline levels. Delaying and forgoing needed
3. COVID-19 highlights the costs of ignoring lifestyle-related diseases
The COVID-19 pandemic has forced policymakers, employers and individuals to take swift and far-reaching action, as exponential infection rates caught our attention and demanded a response.
However, the sobering reality is that COVID-19 is the proverbial tip of the health burden iceberg. It is an accelerated cautionary tale of what is to come if we choose to ignore the slow-growing lifestyle-related diseases lurking and growing under the surface.
4. Zoom meeting fatigue: How to maintain productivity in the grind of WFH
Let’s face it: like everything else COVID-19, many leaders, their team members and clients are a little sick of Zoom meetings. What started as a useful tool — with a little bit of novelty — has now become yet another reminder of the grind that is just one part of the coronavirus pandemic.
The somber reality for many is that working-from-home will remain a reality for at least another three-to-six months. The very real challenge for leaders in small and large companies alike is keeping our work teams and clients engaged in what seems like an endless remote working model.
5. How the latest stimulus bill impacts student loan benefits
With passage of the COVID-19 stimulus bill in December, Congress granted a five-year extension to a temporary provision of the CARES Act that allows employers to contribute up to $5,250 annually toward each employee's student debt on a tax-free basis.
This tax exemption was set to expire on December 31, 2020. Congress has now extended that deadline through December 31, 2025. The legislation allows employers to help pay down their employees’ student loan debt without employer contributions being taxed, similar to a 401(k) match.
