Friends with Employee Benefits
67 episodes - English - Latest episode: 7 months ago - ★★★★★ - 22 ratingsThe podcast that tackles trending topics in the employee benefits and HR world… and hopefully entertains along the way. Tune in biweekly to stay informed of the latest trends and industry insights to help you develop an exceptional workplace.
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Episodes
A Conversation Around Employee Engagement, Mental Health & Wellbeing with Lisa Harris & Jody Breault at VEIC
September 12, 2023 11:30 - 34 minutes - 32.1 MBMental 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 we...
Lifestyle Spending Accounts: What Are They & How Are They Keeping Employees Engaged with Lisa Jacobi, CHRO at COCC, Ryan Burns + Megan Burns from Forma
July 11, 2023 10:00 - 39 minutes - 36 MBWith 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 ...
SECURE 2.0 in 20 Minutes: What This Legislation Means For Your Organization with Sean Patton, SVP, Retirement Services at OneDigital
June 20, 2023 10:00 - 23 minutes - 22 MBIn 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 adv...
Retaining Your People is Not the Answer to Your Workforce Strategy with Travis Dommert, SVP of Talent at OneDigital
March 07, 2023 11:00 - 41 minutes - 38.6 MBIn 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. Music By: Colin Cross Music
A Conversation with Paul LaVoie, Chief Manufacturing Officer for the State of Connecticut
February 07, 2023 11:00 - 42 minutes - 38.9 MBPaul 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. Music By: Colin Cross Music
Starting the Year off with Conscious Accountability (Part 2) with David Tate, Co-Author, Executive Coach & Professor at Yale
January 24, 2023 11:00 - 28 minutes - 25.9 MBBefore 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...
Starting the Year off with Conscious Accountability (Part 1) with David Tate, Co-Author, Executive Coach & Professor at Yale
January 10, 2023 11:00 - 32 minutes - 29.7 MBBeing 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 o...
How Connecticut PFML is Going for Employers with Kate Pikul, HR Director at Avid Marketing
December 06, 2022 13:21 - 41 minutes - 38.3 MBWith 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...
How to Have Fun at Work with Rachel Waldmann, Sr. Manager of Employee Experience at Privy
May 17, 2022 12:39 - 30 minutes - 28.1 MBRachel 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 organizati...
A Conversation with an Executive Trauma Coach for Mental Health Awareness Month
May 03, 2022 09:00 - 29 minutes - 27.3 MBMost 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 w...
Best Practices for Managing Poor Performance in the Workplace with Karen Casey, Head of People & Culture at Canidae Pet
April 19, 2022 04:20 - 36 minutes - 33.3 MBKaren 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 Help Employees Thrive at Work & Retire on Time with Gordon Oliver, Cambridge Credit Counseling
April 05, 2022 09:00 - 31 minutes - 28.7 MB58% 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...
How the Physical Workplace Can Aid in Getting Your Workforce Back to the Office with Rebecca Sarkosi, QA+M Architecture
March 22, 2022 10:00 - 22 minutes - 20.7 MBTune 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 COVI...
Hiring for a Diverse Workforce: Where to Start with Stephanie Johnson, Training Consultant
February 08, 2022 11:00 - 29 minutes - 27.1 MBStephanie 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 pla...
Getting to the Root Cause of the Great Resignation with Sara Martin, CEO at WELCOA
December 03, 2021 11:30 - 30 minutes - 28.2 MBSara 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. Music By: Colin Cross Music
The Great Resignation or the Great Shift? Talking Employee Wellbeing with Patrick Yam, CEO & Co-Founder at Somnology
October 29, 2021 12:00 - 27 minutes - 25.1 MBSleep 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. Music By: Colin Cross Music
Connecticut Paid Leave: Short-Term Disability Impact, Claims Process, Anticipated Utilization & More with Principal
October 08, 2021 12:00 - 40 minutes - 37 MBWith 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 s...
Telemedicine After COVID-19: Continuing the Momentum & Understanding its Impact with Dr. Mary Mulcare, CMO at Summus Global
September 24, 2021 12:00 - 28 minutes - 26 MBDr. 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...
Vaccine Mandates, Surcharges & Incentives: Best Practices for Employers
September 10, 2021 12:00 - 28 minutes - 26.2 MBThe 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! Music By: Colin Cross Music
Leveraging Coaching, Feedback & Continuous Learning to Create an Intentional 'Culture' with Maureen Gallo, Executive VP at Beekley Corporation
June 25, 2021 11:55 - 49 minutes - 45.8 MBMusic By: Colin Cross Music
A Conversation with State Senator Kevin Kelly on Healthcare in CT
June 18, 2021 12:00 - 42 minutes - 39 MBBack 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. Music By: Colin Cross Music
Getting the Most Out of Your EAP's to Build a Mentally Healthy Workplace with Meghan Stokes, VP Clinical Services at BHS
May 28, 2021 12:16 - 26 minutes - 24.6 MBMusic By: Colin Cross Music
Answering Your COBRA Subsidy & Tax Credit Questions with Bob Radecki, Senior Reg. & Public Policy Analyst
May 21, 2021 11:15 - 25 minutes - 23.5 MBMusic By: Colin Cross Music
Returning to People, Maintaining Culture & Leaders vs. Bosses with Jon Pace, Chief People Officer at CompassMSP (IT Direct)
May 14, 2021 12:00 - 34 minutes - 31.3 MBMusic By: Colin Cross Music
Q&A Round-Up: American Rescue Plan Act, Vaccinations & Returning to the Workplace
April 30, 2021 18:32 - 50 minutes - 46.6 MBWhat 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. Music By: Colin Cross Music
How Workplace Culture Influences Productivity & Performance with Becca Jacobs, HR Manager at Instrumart
March 26, 2021 12:00 - 28 minutes - 25.9 MBMusic By: Colin Cross Music
Answering Your Connecticut Paid Leave Questions
March 12, 2021 13:00 - 34 minutes - 31.4 MBLooking 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
Virtual Open Enrollment: Takeaways & Best Practices with Katelyn Ayala, Benefits & HRIS Specialist at Paradigm Precision
February 26, 2021 13:00 - 23 minutes - 21.8 MBMusic By: Colin Cross Music
The New Focus on Human Experience
February 12, 2021 13:10 - 39 minutes - 36.4 MBAs 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. Music By: Colin Cross Music
Your Vaccine Questions Answered
January 29, 2021 13:00 - 50 minutes - 46.6 MBThis 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. Music By: Colin Cross Music
What We've Learned from 2020 & What to Expect in 2021
December 18, 2020 13:24 - 33 minutes - 30.9 MBMusic By: Colin Cross Music
A Conversation with U.S. Senator Chris Murphy on Healthcare
December 11, 2020 13:00 - 19 minutes - 18.4 MBAbout 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
Navigate, Pivot or Stay the Course? Helping Employee's Thrive in Uncertain Times
November 20, 2020 13:00 - 31 minutes - 29.2 MBResources mentioned during this episode: Upcoming ENGAGE Chat on 12/3 New York Times Webinar: Music By: Colin Cross Music
Green Puppy, Hidden Chocolate & An Incredible Discovery: Some Good News You Might Have Missed
November 06, 2020 13:00 - 29 minutes - 27.5 MBDig 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 Music By: Colin Cross Music
A Discussion Around The Election, Prescription Drugs & Lowering Costs
October 23, 2020 11:27 - 33 minutes - 31 MBBusiness & 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 Co...
Empowering & Engaging Employees with Jason Lauristen
October 09, 2020 11:44 - 41 minutes - 38.2 MBIt’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 cu...
Connecticut Paid Family Leave Update
September 25, 2020 11:29 - 40 minutes - 37.4 MBKeeping 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 o...
Move to Value: Episodic Bundles (Part 2)
September 11, 2020 12:00 - 38 minutes - 35.6 MBAbout 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
Achieving Low Turnover, Creating Intentional Culture & Doing Business in CT
July 24, 2020 11:32 - 1 hour - 56.4 MBAbout 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 mult...
Move to Value: What Is It & Why Employers Should Care (Part 1)
July 10, 2020 11:30 - 55 minutes - 50.7 MBJeff 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. Music By: Colin Cross Music
Move to Value: What Is It & Why Should Employers Care (Part 1)
July 10, 2020 11:30 - 55 minutes - 50.7 MBWhat does Move to Value mean and why is it important for employers to understand? In Part 1 of this conversation, Jeff Hogan, over at Rogers Benefit Group, jumps on the podcast to discuss the shift that is happening in healthcare as we move from fee-based care towards value-based care.
CarrierChat: ConnectiCare's Focus on Mental Health, Customer Support and Market Trends
June 26, 2020 14:00 - 1 hour - 55.1 MBHealthcare 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
Diversity & Inclusion in the Workplace
June 12, 2020 12:00 - 52 minutes - 48.3 MBIn 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 Mo...
CarrierChat: Aetna's Focus on Member Experience & Controlling Pharmacy Costs
May 29, 2020 14:00 - 1 hour - 63.5 MBHealthcare 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
Some Good News (Part 2)
May 22, 2020 11:30 - 1 hour - 88.8 MBAbout 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 indi...
Some Good News (Part 1)
May 15, 2020 11:00 - 1 hour - 56.5 MBAbout 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 o...
Some Good News: Highlighting CT Non-Profits (Part 1)
May 15, 2020 11:00 - 1 hour - 56.5 MBReady for some good news? We are too. In part 1 of this podcast episode, we talked to 3 Connecticut-based non-profits that are making a huge impact on our community - Wheeler Clinic, Healing Meals Community Project & CT Junior Republic. Hear from their leadership teams to find out how they've pivoted and adapted their programs to meet the new needs of their stakeholders, what silver linings have come out of this pandemic from their efforts, and how they are keeping volunteers engaged virtually.
Reopen CT Advisory: Whitney Center's Re-Emergence Plan
May 08, 2020 11:00 - 31 minutes - 28.9 MBWIth 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 ...
CarrierChat: Harvard Pilgrim's Take On COVID-19, Bundled Payments & Member Experience
May 01, 2020 10:00 - 47 minutes - 43.3 MBHealthcare 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
CarrierChat: Cigna's Response to COVID-19 & More
April 17, 2020 12:00 - 54 minutes - 50.4 MBHealthcare 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