Author Archives: Group Services

2012 Small Business of the Year Award

Group Services receives the 2012 Small Business of the Year Award from the Quad Cities of Chamber of Commerce. The award recognizes companies that portray professional skill and community leadership, as well the ability to serve as a role model … Continue reading

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Understanding Several Important Rules Webinar

Don’t forget to tune in today’s “Understanding Several Important Rules” webinar at 11:00 p.m. (Central). Stacy H. Barrow, Associate in the Labor & Employment Law Department, will cover topics that might arise as part of a DOL audit, which include … Continue reading

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Increase Retirement Plan Participation

You might have the best retirement plan, but if employees aren’t participating, what’s it worth? The following plan changes could make your plan more attractive to all employees. Offer a 401(k) plan and discuss its advantages: Contributions are made with … Continue reading

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Mental Health Month: Heal the Mind, Heal the Body

Many employers are forced to cut costs and cutting back on mental health benefits is tempting. However, scaling back mental health benefits may raise health costs in the long term for the 22% of adults in the U.S. who suffer … Continue reading

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Critical Illness Insurance

As medical technologies and treatments improve, more people are surviving once-fatal forms of cancer and other conditions. Many employers responded to the rising costs by increasing their employees’ share of costs. This can leave several employees with overwhelming health care … Continue reading

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Qualified and Nonqualified Plans

Qualified plans cannot discriminate in favor of highly compensated employees. The plans must cover at least 70 percent of non-highly compensated employees, and employers must offer them to all full-time employees on the same terms. Any time an employer makes … Continue reading

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Consumer-Driven Health Plans Promote Health While Saving Money

The Employee Benefit Research Institute (EBRI) found that individuals with Consumer Driven Health Plans (CDHPs) are more likely to engage in cost-conscious decision making than those with traditional plans. Cost-conscious behaviors include: Checking whether their plan would cover care Talking … Continue reading

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New Law Prohibiting Discrimination Based on Unemployment Status

The Unemployed Anti-Discrimination Act of 2012 was recently signed by the Mayor of District of Columbia, which prohibits employers and employee agencies from discriminating against job applicants based on their unemployment status. As legislators across the nation are gaining interest … Continue reading

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Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and Employee Benefits Webinar

Register online today at Group Services for the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and Employee Benefits Webinar on Wednesday, April 18 from 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. (EST). The webinar will provide an overview of FMLA basics from an employee … Continue reading

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Can the Government Force Americans to Buy Health Insurance?

Recently, justices have been debating on enforcing all Americans to have medical insurance or face paying a fine under Obama’s health care plan. Eight in 10 in the United States already are covered by workplace heath plans or government programs … Continue reading

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