Notes from our expert team.

HR influence in the C-suite isn’t about advocacy alone, it’s about operating as a business leader. This article breaks down how HR leaders can translate people strategy into business outcomes through data, timing, and cross-functional partnership. Learn practical ways to earn trust, shape decisions, and build lasting influence at the executive table.

Many U.S. companies are overpaying for health insurance due to suboptimal funding strategies, but there’s a spectrum of options beyond the traditional fully insured model, which could lead to significant savings. This blog demystifies the funding options, from gap funding to fully insured, to help HR professionals understand each approach.

A benefits broker request for proposal (RFP) can unlock crucial information about the employee benefits marketplace, your own total rewards offering, and the level of support your HR team could receive. But the RFP process can be time-consuming, confusing, and difficult — unless you’re well prepared. Here are four steps to get ready for a smooth RFP process.

RFP evaluation is one of the most important steps in choosing the right benefits broker, yet it’s often rushed or reduced to price comparisons. This guide breaks down how to evaluate broker RFPs using a structured scorecard, weighted criteria, and clear scoring practices. The result is a more confident, defensible decision that aligns with your benefits strategy and long-term goals.

Managing employee benefits can overwhelm lean HR teams, especially without a dedicated benefits function. This guide shares 19 practical strategies to reduce administrative burden, streamline support, and empower employees to self-serve. With the right partners, tools, and systems, even small HR teams can deliver a confident, effective benefits experience.

Preventive care is one of the most valuable yet misunderstood benefits employees have access to. This guide breaks down what preventive care really includes, what’s free under most health plans, and why early detection matters for both employee well-being and employer costs. HR leaders play a critical role in helping employees use these benefits confidently, reducing confusion, strengthening trust, and improving overall health outcomes.

This article explores why traditional employee wellness programs often fall short and how personalized, flexible approaches better support employees and businesses. Drawing on insights from fitness and nutrition expert Ariel Hoffman, it outlines the real barriers employees face, the ripple effects of improved well-being, and the HR strategies that actually drive engagement. The result is a practical guide for building wellness programs that reduce burnout, increase productivity, and meet employees where they are.

Choosing the right employee benefits broker has a direct impact on your costs, compliance, and employee experience. This guide highlights the most common mistakes employers make during the selection process and offers a step-by-step checklist to help you run a stronger RFP. Use it to evaluate brokers confidently and find a partner who can support your organization year-round.

Employee benefits compliance is increasingly complex, and HR teams often struggle to keep up with changing regulations, documentation requirements, and eligibility rules. A strong employee benefits broker acts as a year-round compliance partner who helps manage risk, maintain accurate processes, and keep your organization audit ready. This guide explains what compliance entails and how the right broker provides the expertise and structure HR teams need.

Planning your 2026 development calendar? This guide highlights the ten best HR conferences and events to help people teams learn, connect, and stay ahead of fast-moving workplace trends. From in-person gatherings to flexible virtual summits, these are the events worth bookmarking now.

Pet benefits are becoming an essential part of modern total rewards as more employees see pets as part of their family and struggle with rising veterinary costs. This guide breaks down why pet insurance matters, how different benefit options work, and what HR teams should consider when evaluating or implementing a pet benefit. With the right approach, employers can improve employee wellbeing, strengthen culture, and offer meaningful support at little to no cost.

A leave of absence can be one of the most important moments in an employee’s life, and the way an employer handles it can shape trust, culture, and retention. This guide explains how to build a leave process rooted in clarity, compassion, and compliance, with real insights from experts in HR, legal, and leave management.