Benefits Buzz

#6-14: HSA Day 2023 - 20 years of HSAs

October 04, 2023 12:00 - 31 minutes - 28.6 MB

The 20th anniversary of HSAs marks a significant milestone in the life of these accounts that empower tens of millions of Americans to save for current and future medical needs and make more informed healthcare decisions. As we celebrate this anniversary, it is evident that HSAs have become an integral part of the employee benefits landscape and will continue to play a vital role in improving the medical and financial needs of your employees. Chris Byrd, senior vice president health execut...

#6-13: Perks of outsourcing benefits administration

September 20, 2023 12:00 - 32 minutes - 29.4 MB

Is your in-house benefits administration team struggling to juggle the multitude of complexities behind running a successful benefits administration program? Are you spending too much time and resources trying to keep up to date with compliance changes and providing the technology and services your employees need for a positive benefits experience? If you answered yes to either of these questions, you may be considering outsourcing your benefits administration. Steve Carroll, senior vice pre...

#6-12: Attract and retain talent with pet benefits

September 06, 2023 12:00 - 22 minutes - 20.8 MB

When we conducted a survey among our participants and asked them what benefit they’d like to learn more about, pet insurance received the third-most responses. Recognizing the importance of pets in employees' lives, companies that implement pet-friendly policies and benefits foster a stronger bond between their staff and the organization. Additionally, pet-friendly initiatives can attract and retain talented individuals who appreciate the flexibility and understanding shown by their employer...

#6-11: Customize your benefits package with voluntary benefits

August 23, 2023 12:00 - 19 minutes - 18.1 MB

Voluntary benefits provide employers with an opportunity to support employees with additional benefits that meet their individual needs. And they serve as an excellent cost-effective recruitment and retention tool for employers as they look for ways to improve their benefits offerings. In fact, 76% of employees in a recent survey said voluntary benefits would entice them to stay at their current company. Chris Wiley, director of partnerships at WEX, joins us to share his tips on offering vo...

#6-10: Employee Surveys: How to create an employee listening strategy to increase employee engagement

August 16, 2023 13:14 - 23 minutes - 21.9 MB

Employee surveys are an essential tool for organizations to gauge employee engagement and gain valuable insights into their workforce. By gathering feedback from employees through surveys, companies can assess various aspects of the work environment, including job satisfaction, work-life balance, and employee benefits experience. Melanie Tinto, chief human resources officer here at WEX, joins us to talk about how you can level up from basic engagement surveys to a comprehensive employee list...

#6-9: 8 findings from our participant survey to help you prep for open enrollment

August 09, 2023 12:00 - 22 minutes - 20.8 MB

Open enrollment is just a couple months away for many of you. And that means you are already in the throes of planning for it. We surveyed our participants earlier this year to learn more about their benefits needs, with nearly 60,000 responding to the survey. The information they provided can help inform your open enrollment planning as you look to better support your employees while boosting your retention numbers. Hayden Goethe, who is our senior content marketing strategist at WEX, joins...

#6-8: Onboarding remote employees: Key strategies for success

July 12, 2023 12:00 - 22 minutes - 20.9 MB

HR plays a crucial role in onboarding remote and hybrid employees, ensuring a smooth and successful integration into the organization. HR teams need to design and implement a tailored onboarding process that addresses the unique challenges and needs of remote and hybrid work environments. Hannah Jabar, talent acquisition program manager at WEX and Justine Thompson, talent acquisition manager at WEX join us to share their tips on onboarding remote/hybrid employees.

#6-7: Embracing DEI strategies for talent acquisition

June 21, 2023 12:00 - 23 minutes - 21.6 MB

Incorporating DEI into hiring strategies has become increasingly more important to companies over the last few years. In fact, a 2020 survey showed 51% of employers surveyed have formalized a DEI strategy for their company and 44% have made changes to their hiring policies. Laura Shen, chief diversity and inclusion officer here at WEX, joins us to talk about acquiring talent from a DEI perspective.

#6-6: Unlocking the power of an EVP

June 07, 2023 12:00 - 17 minutes - 15.8 MB

What is an Employee Value Proposition (EVP) and why is it so important for your company? Sherry Olson, vice president of global employee experience at WEX, joins us to discuss her experience with launching a new EVP at WEX, her tips and tricks she learned along the way, and the importance of an EVP when it comes to recruiting and retaining valuable employees.

#6-5: Skip the messaging jargon: 5 tips for better benefits communication

May 24, 2023 12:00 - 23 minutes - 21.6 MB

Did you know that about half of employees don’t understand their benefits, and 80% of employees never even open communications about benefits? Many employees often feel confused about their benefits plans options, especially if their employer is using “complicated HR jargon” in their benefits messaging. Bri Boerner, Senior Operational Writer, Global Talent Development at WEX and Hayden Goethe, Senior Content Marketing Strategist at WEX, join us to talk about their tips on how employers can e...

#6-4: 5 tips for a successful benefits budget conversation

May 10, 2023 12:00 - 12 minutes - 11.1 MB

A potential upcoming recession means companies are looking for ways to cut costs, but employee wellness still remains top of mind for many employers. In a recent survey, 55% of businesses said they will not reduce salaries if there is a recession, and 47% said they will not reduce benefits. Ryan Filipek, lead benefits analyst here at WEX, joins us to share his advice on how to advocate for employee benefits and justify your expense plans during benefits budget conversations with leadership.

#6-3: What the end of the COVID-19 national emergencies means for COBRA, FSAs, and more

April 26, 2023 12:00 - 22 minutes - 20.3 MB

At the end of January, President Biden informed Congress that he planned to end the two COVID-19 national emergencies on May 11, 2023. Recently, House Joint Resolution 7 passed the House and Senate and was delivered to President Biden on April 5, 2023, resulting in immediate termination ahead of the expected May 11th date. From an employee benefits and COBRA perspective, this means that temporary extensions introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic will also expire. Let’s talk with Jill Longo,...

#6-2: 7 things to know when designing an HSA program

April 12, 2023 12:00 - 18 minutes - 16.9 MB

HSAs offer an excellent opportunity for participants to save money on healthcare expenses and for employers to support their employees’ wellness needs in a cost-efficient way. But it’s important to remember that there are HSA rules and regulations you and your employees need to follow in order to stay compliant. Join us as we talk with Jason Cook, Vice President of Healthcare Emerging Markets at WEX, about HSA rules for employees, designing an HSA program, and how to keep HSAs exempt from ER...

#6-1: Your employees are enrolled. Now what?

March 29, 2023 12:00 - 57 minutes - 52.2 MB

Now that a new benefits plan year is underway, it's time to shift participants from how to "choose" their benefits to how they "use" their benefits to ensure a positive experience. We’re opening Season 6 of our Benefits Buzz podcast with a webinar recording hosted by our new Benefits Buzz host Nathan Coverstone. Our guests share tips and best practices to help you best support your employees in the new plan year.

#5-27: HSA Day 2022 - Beat Inflation with Benefits

October 05, 2022 11:59 - 48 minutes - 44.3 MB

Inflation and a declining financial market have resulted in nearly half of Americans unable to cover a $400 emergency medical expense. Compound that with 50% of employees leaving jobs for mental health reasons and many HR professionals are facing a perfect employee wellness storm. As employees turn to their employers for financial, physical, and mental support, HSA Day 2022 aims to provide meaningful tools and educational resources on one particular benefit that meets the needs of a variety ...

#5-26: An HSA Story - Multilingual employee benefits education

September 28, 2022 12:00 - 17 minutes - 15.8 MB

While HSAs can be used for saving, spending, and investing, many HSA participants are simply using the accounts to save on their needs today. Valeria comes from a family full of past and current HSA users who leaned on these accounts specifically for spending to save on expenses such as copays and dentist appointments. Plus, she’ll share her experience growing up in a Spanish-speaking family and her role on our implementation team and what that means for HSA and benefits education. HSA Day ...

#5-25: ESG Reporting - Through the Lens of HR

September 21, 2022 12:00 - 23 minutes - 21.1 MB

ESG stands for environmental, social, and governance. And, chances are, if your company isn’t focused on ESG, it might be falling behind the competition in a variety of ways. More than 90% of S&P 500 companies publish ESG reports in some form. In the second episode of our two-part series, we take ESG reporting a level deeper by talking with two of our HR representatives who worked directly with our report. How were they involved? And why is this something every HR team should be thinking abo...

#5-24: ESG Reporting - Why It Should Be Top of Mind

September 14, 2022 12:00 - 22 minutes - 20.7 MB

ESG stands for environmental, social, and governance. And, chances are, if your company isn’t focused on ESG, it might be falling behind the competition in a variety of ways. More than 90% of S&P 500 companies publish ESG reports in some form. What is ESG? And why is showing your ESG data externally important? In the first of a two-part series, we introduce why ESG has become such a business-critical topic in 2022. Check out WEX’s ESG report here.

#5-23: The Basics of VEBAs

September 07, 2022 12:00 - 24 minutes - 22.2 MB

The tax law for VEBA has been around for nearly 100 years, but VEBA usage and popularity has evolved over time. Funded HRAs with a VEBA trust are a really popular benefit for unions and within the public sector. How well do you know VEBAs? Can they make a difference for those who depend on you? We’ll talk through the basics of VEBAs. Listen/watch to learn more, or check out our blog post.

#5-22: Improve Your Employee Benefits Experience This Open Enrollment

August 31, 2022 12:00 - 21 minutes - 19.8 MB

Benefits decision-making can be a daunting task for employees during open enrollment season. And our current inflation rates make these decisions even more important. What can HR leaders and employers do to ease some of this stress and make open enrollment a positive experience for employees? How can you prepare and educate your employees about the benefits you’re offering? We talk with Liz Hill, account executive at WEX, on ways you can improve your employee benefits experience this open en...

#5-21: Why You Need to Transform Talent Acquisition This Year

August 17, 2022 12:00 - 24 minutes - 22.6 MB

A pandemic. The Great Resignation. Flexible work arrangements. Employee wellness. The last two-plus years have increased the demand for talent acquisition and transformed what employees are looking for from their employers. What has changed? And how should you be changing your approach to hiring in today’s environment? We sit down with our global head of talent acquisition to discuss these issues and so much more.

#5-20: Discover your savings potential with a limited FSA

August 10, 2022 12:00 - 18 minutes - 16.6 MB

Just because you participate in an HSA doesn’t mean you need to miss out on the savings potential of an FSA. Limited FSAs are eligible to be paired with HDHPs and HSAs. We chat with Mike Hagen on our sales team about his experience participating in a limited FSA. You may be surprised to learn how big of an expense his limited FSA was able to cover! Check out our blog post to learn more.

#5-19: Thinking big picture with an HSA

August 03, 2022 12:00 - 20 minutes - 18.7 MB

Last week, we shared the story of one family that leaned on their health savings account (HSA) when surprising expenses came up. Today, as part of our open enrollment series, we asked another WEXer to join us to talk about how he takes an investment-heavy approach with his HSA funds. You’ll be amazed by the results he’s experienced by investing his HSA funds over the long haul.

#5-18: Unexpected expenses? Lean on your HSA.

July 27, 2022 12:00 - 18 minutes - 17.1 MB

Open enrollment season is here for many of you. We kick off our open enrollment series this season with the first of two episodes taking a deeper look at health savings account (HSA) participation so you can better understand their capability. Today, you’ll hear how Jessica Shawn of the WEX human resources team and her husband, Brian, leaned on their HSA when surprising expenses emerged. To learn more about the basics of an HSA, check out last season’s episode.

#5-17: The state of employee benefits

July 20, 2022 12:00 - 42 minutes - 38.9 MB

What are the trending topics our partners and their audiences care about in the world of employee benefits? Chris Byrd and our panelists share their insight and perspective on a wide range of trends surrounding employee wellness, market trends, and more! This episode was recorded live from WEX SPARK 2022 in Hollywood, Fla.

#5-16: Top Benefits Trends Takeaways in 2022

July 06, 2022 12:00 - 24 minutes - 22.6 MB

With hundreds of partners and hundreds of thousands of employers using WEX benefits technology, we have a large pool of data available to support our partners, employers, and participants as they make decisions that will keep them on the cutting edge of today’s employee benefits trends. So what is trending? We break down some of the most interesting trends we’re seeing to help you stay informed on how to support your employees. For more trends, go to our webpage at https://www.wexbenefitsyou...

#5-15: LSA Plan Design ... One Step Further

June 29, 2022 12:00 - 56 minutes - 51.3 MB

Our "Build Your LSA Your Way" episode was one of the most popular episodes we've recorded this season. We take the lifestyle spending account (LSA) plan design conversation a step further in this webinar recording hosted by Benefits Buzz host Eric Piela. Our guests answer some common questions and share plan design examples to help you build an LSA that meets your employees' needs.

#5-14: Diversity, Inclusion, and Why Now is the Time

June 22, 2022 14:44 - 21 minutes - 19.2 MB

Everyone can make an impact. That’s at the heart of creating a purpose-driven workforce. And that’s one reason diversity and inclusion are so important in the workplace, because you can’t be your best unless everyone has a voice. We’ve invited WEX’s Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer onto Benefits Buzz so she can share her story with us. Check out WEX's inaugural Diversity, Equity & Inclusion report to learn more.

#5-13: A tattoo-friendly HR brand

June 15, 2022 12:00 - 19 minutes - 17.9 MB

We’re not wired to be loyal to products or services, no matter how well they perform. We’re only capable of being loyal to people and to well-managed brands that successfully humanize their presence by creating emotional resonance with us. Imagine the value to your company when you create an experience that compels loyalty. And that applies to your customers and your employees. Ken Schmidt shares his experience building tattoo-worthy customer relationships during his time at Harley-Davidson....

#5-12: Recognition Starts from the Top

June 08, 2022 12:00 - 18 minutes - 16.9 MB

The time is now to celebrate your employees. With so much change in how we work, where we work, and who we work for, developing an employee recognition program is vital to supporting and retaining employees. And when it comes from the top of the organization, even better! WEX Chair and CEO Melissa Smith is here to tell you about the impact reimagining employee recognition can have on your business or organization.

#5-11: People Analytics and the Value to HR

June 01, 2022 14:19 - 22 minutes - 20.9 MB

With employees leaving their jobs in record numbers, HR professionals are looking for ways to stay informed on their employees’ needs so they can better support them. One way they’re learning more is through people analytics. With this data, HR leaders can make informed decisions that lead to higher employer retention rates, reduced bias in the workplace, and improved employee wellbeing. Our own Melanie Tinto talks through her experience with people analytics, including the capabilities, lea...

#5-10: 5 Takeaways After 25K Views/Listens

May 18, 2022 12:00 - 24 minutes - 22.9 MB

WEX’s Benefits Buzz podcast reached an important milestone, with over 25,000 views/listens of episodes all-time. Over the years, we’ve found new ways to reach you and brought on exciting guests, but our mission has remained the same. We wanted to share five big takeaways we’ve learned with our audience of HR professionals and benefits decision-makers.

#5-9: Removing mental health stigma

May 11, 2022 12:00 - 33 minutes - 30.4 MB

Since the start of the pandemic, mental and behavioral health requests increased 100 percent. For the youngest employees, that increase was even higher. While the mental wellness need was always there, employers are increasingly taking notice. One specific area we’re seeing is simply removing the stigma around mental health and illnesses and making sure we all know how to talk about it. That’s why we’ve invited Marna Canterbury, HealthPartners Senior Director of Community Health & Engageme...

#5-8: Growing a Team (and You) in 2022

May 04, 2022 12:00 - 22 minutes - 20.5 MB

Putting out fires. Not enough time for strategy. Even less time to focus on the personal and professional growth of yourself and your team (if you manage one). These are real issues. And the churn of Zoom calls in the last couple years has only compounded the issue for many. We want to talk through time management and prioritizing growth with a real expert in Jones Loflin, who is an author, keynote speaker, and coach. For more on Loflin, go to jonesloflin.com.

#5-7: Women, the workplace, and the power of support

April 27, 2022 12:00 - 30 minutes - 27.7 MB

The data is clear: In many ways, women have been more disproportionately affected by the pandemic than men. From February 2020 to January 2022, male workers regained all jobs they had lost due to the public health crisis, according to one analysis. However, 1.1 million women left the labor force during that span, accounting for 63 percent of all jobs lost. And 42% of women and 35% of men have felt burned out in the last few months (up from 32% and 28% respectively, last year). So what is go...

#5-6: Multiple HSAs. Multiple options.

April 20, 2022 12:00 - 18 minutes - 17.1 MB

Record-breaking job turnover has become a monthly headline. Fortunately for health savings account (HSA) participants, their HSAs stay with them even when they switch jobs. But now what are the options? We break down these options with an HSA when changing jobs. Or check out our blog post for more information.

#5-5: Year-Round Benefits Communication

April 13, 2022 12:00 - 21 minutes - 19.2 MB

Open enrollment might be the biggest moment on the benefits calendar year. How soon are you letting employees know it’s coming? And how can you get their attention early so they research now and save later? We talk with our own Steve Carroll, who will share his suggestions on building a year-round benefits communication plan to prepare for open enrollment.

#5-4: Retention Interviews - Talk before they walk

April 06, 2022 12:00 - 27 minutes - 25.1 MB

You can learn about your workplace culture through exit interviews, but your active employees might provide even more valuable insight. WEX recently started conducting “stay interviews” to learn why employees keep working here. What was the motivation behind it? And how do they work? Chelsie Camp from our HR team joins us to provide you with potentially another way to collect employee feedback.

#5-3: Build Your LSA Your Way

March 30, 2022 12:00 - 18 minutes - 16.8 MB

As employers explore new ways to support employee wellness, lifestyle spending accounts (LSAs) are a trendy benefit and a versatile way to show employees you care. LSAs are completely customizable by employers. With so many options, where do you begin? Arika Palloch on our sales team is here to talk through her experience in designing an LSA that’s a perfect fit for each employer. Get five ideas on how to better support employees' wellness needs. Download your free guide today!

#5-2: An HSA for everyday, but especially today

March 23, 2022 12:00 - 27 minutes - 25.6 MB

Did you know that more than half of Americans do not have enough savings to cover an unplanned expense of $1,000? While HSA funds can be invested, the vast majority of participants need these accounts to save on today’s expenses. One of our subject-matter experts on HSAs shares his insight on HSA messaging so employers can better connect the perks of these accounts with how participants typically use them.

#5-1: New Benefits. Now What?

March 16, 2022 15:52 - 19 minutes - 18 MB

Most employers are a couple months into their new plan years. Are your employees engaging with their accounts? Do they even know how best to get started? We’re opening Season 5 of our Benefits Buzz podcast with one of our resident experts, who will give you some tips on supporting participants just getting started in a new plan year. Check out our blog post for more tips!

#4-32: BONUS EPISODE! The new recruiting/retention world

November 09, 2021 13:00 - 21 minutes - 29.4 MB

Bonus episode! Hybrid and work-from-home opportunities have combined with the Great Resignation to make recruiting and retention a greater challenge for human resource teams than possibly ever before. We assembled a panel of experts to talk about this challenge and what they are doing during this unique time in HR. For more from HSA Day, go to https://www.wexbenefitsyou.com/hsaday/

#4-31: HSA Day 2021 and How HSAs Can Change the HR Story

October 15, 2021 13:00 - 47 minutes - 64.8 MB

There’s a common story in HR. You wear a lot of hats and those hats come with a lot of questions. Recruiter, therapist, referee, party planner, and benefits guru. Need we say more? Education is your ticket to fewer emails, IMs, and knocks at your door. The more employees understand their benefits, the more quiet time for you. HSA Day is a day to learn. Let’s change the HR story. Get everything you need for HSA Day at https://www.wexbenefitsyou.com/hsaday/

#4-30: Incentives and Employee Wellness

October 05, 2021 12:47 - 22 minutes - 20.8 MB

From mental health awareness to COVID risks to decreased medical costs, there’s value in you incentivizing employee wellness. What wellness initiatives should you focus on? And what are your incentive options? Jim Miller of KrowdFit talks to our hosts about his extensive experience with wellness incentives.

#4-29: LSAs, HRAs, and Prioritizing Wellness

September 27, 2021 12:00 - 22 minutes - 20.5 MB

This is a time of change for employee benefits. Mental health is getting much-needed attention. And with more employees working from home, inside-the-office games and events are no longer appealing. Employers are needing more flexibility in how they address benefits and employee wellness. Lifestyle spending accounts and wellness HRAs are two options employers can turn to. But which is the right one for you? We’ll break down these two accounts.

#4-28: All Aboard for Innovation!

September 20, 2021 12:00 - 23 minutes - 21.4 MB

Innovation can come from anywhere! That’s why it’s important all of your employees are engaged and feel like they have a voice in what your business is doing to provide the best products and services for its customers. We’ve brought on a pair of guests to discuss the inspiration behind our innovation challenge and provide just one example of how that challenge has made a difference for our partners, clients, and participants. Check out our video to learn more about EOB smart scan.

#4-27: Expense Eligibility - Game Show Edition

September 13, 2021 12:00 - 23 minutes - 21.2 MB

There are hundreds of expenses that are eligible for your HSA and FSA funds. And what is eligible may surprise you! We quiz our guests to educate them and educate you on some of the surprise eligible expenses for an HSA and FSA. Check out our complete eligible expense list for HSAs, FSAs, and more.

#4-26: Benefits Decisions Backed by Data

September 07, 2021 15:28 - 21 minutes - 40.2 MB

Two-fifths of workers say they are more likely to than they were a year ago to consider a new job that offers better benefits. The benefits employers offer their employees are as important as ever. But how do you know they are meeting your employees’ needs? One way is with data. We’ll chat analytics 101: What data is commonly available and what you should look for to boost your recruiting and retention effort?

#4-25: An LSA Success Story

August 30, 2021 15:15 - 19 minutes - 35.9 MB

In the midst of the Great Resignation and with recruiting/retention efforts at a premium, the lifestyle spending account (LSA) is one way employers can differentiate their benefits package. Learn how one client has leaned on LSAs for years to improve their recruiting and retention.

#4-24: Open Enrollment Shouldn't Need an Instruction Manual

August 24, 2021 01:44 - 26 minutes - 48.8 MB

The last 18 months have been unlike anything you’ve ever experienced. For our human resources listeners, it’s required you to be nimble and flexible in responding to dramatic changes to your employees’ needs. But with more changes this year as employees return to the office and with employment demand seemingly outweighing supply in many industries, this could be your most open enrollment period ever. Why? Find out in this episode of Benefits Buzz.

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