Notes from our expert team.

Employers are bracing for one of the most difficult renewal seasons in recent memory, with double-digit cost increases becoming the norm. From soaring pharmacy spend and high-cost claimants to delayed care and industry consolidation, multiple forces are driving rates higher. This blog unpacks what’s behind the surge and offers practical strategies employers can use to take back control and balance financial pressures with employee well-being.

Transformational leadership is no longer optional; it’s essential for engagement, retention, and workplace trust. In this recap of our Missing Chapters conversation with Kylie Ensrud, Chief People Officer at DataVision, we explore why leaders often default to transactional habits, what transformational leadership looks like in practice, and how HR teams can help managers build authentic, human-centered connections.

This blog breaks down the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and state paid family and medical leave (PFML) programs so HR leaders can understand who’s covered, how long employees can take leave, and which rules apply in each state. You’ll find a complete A–Z guide to state laws, including leave durations, wage replacement details, and special provisions that go beyond the federal baseline. It also includes practical compliance tips to help employers manage leave consistently, avoid costly mistakes, and support employees during life’s most important moments.

In fast-paced work environments, hiring often prioritizes immediate needs over long-term strategy, leading to short-term fixes that may not support future growth. This blog, inspired by a conversation with Hope for Haiti CEO Skyler Badenoch, encourages HR leaders to shift toward intentional hiring that emphasizes values alignment, growth potential, and culture add. It offers actionable strategies to identify high-potential candidates, build long-term onboarding plans, and avoid the costly pitfalls of rushed hiring decisions.

Dispersed workforces present a unique challenge for HR teams tasked with delivering benefits that feel both fair and relevant. This blog unpacks proven strategies—backed by real-world examples and data—that help HR leaders build inclusive, high-impact programs that resonate across corporate, retail, and frontline teams.

HR leaders often take on too much, leaving little time for strategic work. This blog explores how rethinking vendor partnerships, by asking the right questions, leveraging automation, and holding partners accountable, can lighten HR’s load and drive greater organizational impact.

HR professionals support employees, but who supports HR? Without strategies to manage stress and prevent burnout, their wellbeing—and effectiveness—suffers. This blog explores key insights from our webinar with Kara Grenier on building resilience, setting boundaries, and creating a sustainable HR strategy.

A comprehensive total rewards strategy strengthens your company’s ability to stand out in a competitive market. From compensation and traditional benefits to non-monetary offerings and beyond, a total rewards strategy helps your HR team find and keep the right top talent — and boost overall employee satisfaction year over year.

As open enrollment approaches, having a detailed checklist can help streamline the entire process. Start with a pre-enrollment audit to identify and correct any data errors. Schedule early meetings to review your benefits portfolio, develop a renewal strategy, and create a clear communication plan to keep employees informed. Make sure to prepare engaging and educational materials to help employees make informed decisions and reduce last-minute questions. This checklist covers everything you need for a seamless, efficient, and successful open enrollment season, ensuring that both HR teams and employees are well-prepared.

Small business benefits management can be a daunting task, especially for small HR teams with limited staff and resources. Here are 5 common pitfalls among small businesses when it comes to benefits management (and how to avoid them).

Turns out, great HR pros have a lot in common with Queen Bey herself.

As HR professionals and business leaders plan for Q1, Dr. Marty Makary shares his science-backed perspectives on the pandemic. Here’s how Covid is expected to impact business and the workplace in 2022.