Monthly Newsletter July 2019
Dear Valued Clients and Associates, Wishing you a safe and enjoyable time celebrating our Country’s Independence this week. When was the last time you had someone other than your current Group Benefits Broker look at the Medical and Ancillary plans available for your organization? A second set of eyes is always a good business decision when it comes to one or your biggest Company expenses and staying compliant. Contact me now and I’d be happy to see if there are plans you haven’t been shown before, that would be a better fit for your goals. No obligation. Here is your July 2019 Newsletter with a combination of HR and Health related news. I hope you enjoy! IRS Releases Inflation-adjusted Limits for HSAs and HDHPs for 2020 On May 28, 2019, the IRS released Revenue Procedure 2019-25 to announce the inflation-adjusted limits for health savings accounts (HSAs) and...
read moreMedical Marijuana In The Workplace – Update For New Jersey Employers
Medical Marijuana In The Workplace – Update for New Jersey Employers By Maggie Johnson Recreational marijuana use is not yet legalized in New Jersey or New York despite recent attempts by each state’s legislators to do so. However, recreational marijuana use, if legalized, would not necessarily present a problem for employers. As a comparison, alcohol is legal, but employers have the right to prohibit its consumption during working hours and in the workplace. Surely, the same rule would apply to recreational marijuana. But what about medical marijuana? The New Jersey Compassionate Use of Medical Marijuana Act (“CUMMA”) authorizes patients and their primary caregivers who register with the New Jersey Department of Health to possess medical marijuana that has been dispensed by a New Jersey Alternate Treatment Center. Thus, employers may be concerned about employees’ usage of marijuana, prescribed by a physician, for medical purposes. If an employee...
read moreMonthly Newsletter June 2019
Dear Valued Clients and Associates, With so many hot topics to choose from, I’ve decided to use June to introduce a way for you to potentially put money back into your business with little efforts. “How is this possible?” you ask… Work Opportunity Tax Credits! To learn more, read the article below “How much did you overpay your taxes last year”. To all the Fathers, Grandfathers, Uncles, Brothers and Friends who nurture and love the children in their lives, I hope you have a wonderful FATHER’S DAY! Is your broker only around at renewal? Would you rather have service year-round? Give me a call or email me now to schedule a time to discuss your employee benefit goals and how we will work hard to ensure you and your employees are satisfied all year long. Here is your June 2019 Newsletter with a combination of HR and Health related...
read moreMonthly Newsletter May 2019
Dear Valued Clients and Associates, Happy May! To all the Mothers, Grandmothers, Aunts, Sisters and Friends who nurture and love the children in their lives, whether they gave birth to them or not, I hope you had a wonderful MOTHER’S DAY! Please give me a call or contact me now to schedule a time to discuss your employee benefit goals and how we will work hard to ensure you and your employees are satisfied. Here is your May 2019 Newsletter with a combination of HR and Health related news. I hope you enjoy! If you would like to make suggestions on how I can improve this newsletter, please email me! Parts of AHP Final Rule Are Struck Down by Federal Court On March 28, 2019, a federal judge ruled that parts of the Trump administration’s 2018 final rule on association health plans (AHPs) were invalid. The court...
read moreDress Code Policies—Time for Change?
Dress Code Policies – Time for Change? By Maggie Johnson In theory, a dress code policy for the workplace could simply consist of two words—Dress Appropriately! However, it seems that employers feel compelled to write policies containing long lists of what and what not to wear in the workplace. Since a vast number of companies have adopted business-casual guidelines for the workplace, isn’t it time to lighten up on rigid dress code policies? In March this year, as reported by the Washington Post (March 21, 2019), even Goldman Sachs, known for its immaculately business-clothed company representatives, officially changed its dress code policy to a “firm-wide flexible dress code.” Tattoos, Facial Jewelry and Wild Hair Some dress code policies state that tattoos must be covered, facial jewelry, such as nose, eyebrow and tongue piercings, are not permitted at work, and hair styles must be conservative. That...
read moreMonthly Newsletter April 2019
Dear Valued Clients and Associates, I am very excited that the warm weather is starting to make its way into the area! My fig tree already has around 20 figs, daffodils and tulips are popping up everywhere and my chickens are so happy with all the worms and insects the rain is bringing to the surface for them. What’s more exciting than the arrival of spring? The clients we have been able to help, already this year, by creating benefit offerings that align with their goals and save them money off their bottom line! I am incredibly grateful for the opportunities I have been given so far in 2019 and to you for your support. If we haven’t had the opportunity to meet yet, let’s get a time on the calendar… Who knows, maybe we will be able to help your organization too! Give me a call or contact...
read moreLeave Laws and Affected Employers Are Expanding in New Jersey
Leave Laws and Affected Employers Are Expanding in New Jersey By Maggie Johnson New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy continues to place his mark on state employment law, making life somewhat easier for working families. It wasn’t long ago that New Jersey employers had to become familiar and comply with the New Jersey Earned Sick and Safe Days Act. Here comes the next phase! On February 19, 2019, amendments to the New Jersey Family Leave and SAFE Acts were signed into law and shall become effective on June 30, 2019. In addition, changes were made to New Jersey’s Family Leave Insurance legislation, which are effective on July 1, 2020. However, be aware that there are also new requirements under the provisions of the aforementioned amended laws that employers must comply with now. These amendments will significantly expand the benefits afforded to New Jersey workers, and provide them with...
read moreMonthly Newsletter March 2019
Dear Valued Clients and Associates, March is all about the luck of the Irish, but you don’t have to be Irish to be lucky with PF Compass. What makes our clients so lucky? Dedicated in-house client service rep In-house claims adjudication for you and your employees – for your employees to have someone to call when they have claims or benefit coverage questions so you don’t have to walk the tight rope of HIPAA compliance Free COBRA and HRA administration Free Bene Administration technology (integration available with some payroll platforms such as Paylocity and ADP) Carrier Agnostic – We work with all Carriers to find the benefits package right for your organization 3 Hours HR Consultation Free for new clients and HR tools to maintain compliance Benefit Education Meetings at your location during Open Enrollment – we will educate your employees on how to best utilize their benefits to...
read moreThoughts on RIFs and Lay Offs
Thoughts on RIFs and Lay Offs By Maggie Johnson It’s said that employees are an organization’s most valuable asset. A stable workforce creates a workplace with no paranoia of job loss, high employee morale, increased knowledge and job skills, and higher productivity. Often, a company that has been recognized as a Best Place to Work has a stable workforce. A stable workforce shows the leadership’s effective strategic planning. I met a CEO of a well- known New York-based, international financial services firm who told me that in more than 30 years of business, his company has never laid off an employee. He explained that this has been due to in-depth and far-sighted business and workforce planning, with consideration for possible changes and dips in market conditions. As such, his workforce doesn’t fluctuate. New positions are added when planned, consistent business growth levels are reached. At a conference,...
read moreMonthly Newsletter February 2019
Dear Valued Clients and Associates, Did you set a New Year’s Resolution? How’s it going? Maybe your resolution was to double and triple check how compliant your organization is? This month I want to talk a little bit about compliance regarding POP/Section 125. If you are not familiar with what this is, POP stands for Premium Only Plan which is a way for employees to pay for their benefits with pretax dollars. Here are some things to consider: Are you an LLC, S Corp or Partnership and contributing to your POP plan? If you are, there is reason for concern. Is your POP discriminatory?? Do you have a written POP doc? When was the last time it was updated? Do your employees reenroll prior to the beginning of each year? Does your document allow rollover? Is it part of your onboarding process for new employees? All these issues could...
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