“Noah didn’t wait for the rain to fall before building the Ark.” Those words from a mentor decades ago are applicable to many of life’s challenges. His wisdom has stuck with me. Those words were some of the first thoughts that came to mind as the wave of COVID-19 began to hit our country. The …
Many of us have heard the following quote by Fred Rogers (aka, Mr. Rogers) . . . “When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, “Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.” We have heard the quote and …
The Benefit Company is eager to share with you helpful tools for addressing employer concerns regarding the coronavirus (“coronavirus disease 2019” or “COVID-19”). In addition to suggesting the limitation of international travel, the CDC has provided a list of steps businesses can take that may prevent workplace exposures to acute respiratory illnesses, including COVID-19. HR leaders …
There are many people anxiously waiting to see what their heartthrob will do to express their love this week. According to Statista.com, the most popular Valentine’s Day gifts in the U.S. are candy/sweets (44%), greeting cards (33%), flowers (32%), and romantic dinners (29%). Other popular gifts include wine, jewelry, clothing, lingerie and pajamas, and event …
January is the greatest month of the year! That may be an uncommon opinion, but I’m ready to make my case on why January deserves the crown. It may seem like a silly argument to have, but I don’t ever shy away from a good back and forth (just ask my wife). Don’t agree? Add …
In life, transitions can be difficult. There can be fear and anxiety surrounding what might be next. Yet transitions are necessary for professional and personal process. Six months ago, I changed careers. After working in college athletics for 16 years, I accepted an advisor role at The Benefit Company. This transition was filled with personal …
Balance billing, COBRA, co-insurance, donut hole, EAP, urgent care, formulary… is your head spinning yet? I’m just getting started. In about the year 2242BC, according to The Bible in Genesis 11:1-9, following the great flood, the descendants of Noah migrated westward into the land of Shinar. Some Biblical scholars believe that the people, wanting …
A growing number of companies are offering student loan repayment assistance programs as an employee benefit. In fact, the number of employers offering student loan-related benefits doubled to 8% over the past year, the 2019 Employee Benefits Report by the Society of Human Resources Management (SHRM) found. There are two primary reasons employers are increasingly …
This is the first of more to come….. The following serves to honor my mother, Johnnie Mae Hall Brown, on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of her birth on November 18, 1919. She was a highly revered, student-centric high school teacher of the English language, particularly the practice of the use of proper …
As a follow up to my blog of August 6, 2019, “The Perfect Gift . . . Is It Possible?”, Ranger Valor, the military service dog was born on 8/3/19 and is already a star! He is in Tampa for training and is a star student. He will meet his military owner soon for joint …
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