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HHS Releases Voluntary Cybersecurity Practices for Health Industry

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New guidelines developed by leading experts offer practical ways to cost-effectively reduce cybersecurity risks.

Cybersecurity is on every healthcare organization’s list of top priorities for 2019; and last week, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released “Health Industry Cybersecurity Practices (HICP): Managing Threats and Protecting Patients.” This four-volume publication provides guidance on voluntary cybersecurity practices for healthcare organizations of all types and sizes, ranging from local clinics to large hospital systems.

Survey: More Employers Offering Health Benefits To Attract Workers

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From health savings accounts to wellness programs, companies—and employees—see health benefits as top priority.

According to a survey of nearly 1,400 employees and employers by Transamerica Center for Health Studies, companies are offering health benefits at the highest level since 2013. Eight-five percent of employers offer these benefits to full- and part-time employees. Benefit offers increase significantly with company size, and small business are still less likely to provide healthcare benefits. In fact, about half of survey respondents cited their company not being big enough as a reason not to offer health insurance.

Survey: Analytics and AI Use on the Rise in HR

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More HR leaders are using analytics and other tech solutions for record-keeping, performance management, and other tasks.

This is the second of a two-part article documenting the results of the 2018 Pulse of HR Survey, which involved 300 HR decision makers in U.S. companies with 50-500 employees across a range of industries.

According to survey results, HR is using technology for a variety of purposes, including record-keeping (75%) and time and attendance tracking (58%). A majority (79%) of HR professionals said automated HR solutions helped them play a more strategic role in 2018, and 77% said it helped them increase efficiency. As companies are most likely to use manual processes to integrate new employees into the organization (28%), performance management (27%), and travel/expense reimbursement (27%), there are opportunities for HR to expand their use of automation to save time and money, as well as improve accuracy.

Survey Documents Shifting Role of HR

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HR professionals see themselves as strategic partners in their organizations, and they are playing a growing role in areas such as compliance, promoting company culture, and using technology in innovative ways.

This is the first of a two-part article documenting the results of the 2018 Pulse of HR Survey. Conducted by Paychex, the survey involved 300 HR decision makers in U.S. companies with 50-500 employees across a range of industries.

HR leaders cited keeping up with regulations and tracking employees’ time (38% each) as top challenges for 2018. Other issues that kept them on their toes included complying with regulations (35%), offering competitive benefits (33%), and retaining talent (31%).

On the Front Lines: Employers Combat Opioid Crisis

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The growing opioid crisis in this country is hitting employers hard, and they are prioritizing education and preventive measures.

About two-thirds of human resources professionals say their companies are affected by the national opioid crisis or expect to be in the near future, according to a survey by The Hartford Financial Services Group.

Home Health Workforce: Preparing for the Boom

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Need to hire quality home health workers? Try paying them better, suggests national advocacy organization.

Poor pay, inconsistent hours and few advancement opportunities still plague the home health workforce, according to  data released by PHI, a nonprofit organization that studies the healthcare paraprofessional and direct-care workforce. Yet, understanding—and confronting—the challenges ingrained in this sector of the healthcare workforce could become an opportunity for organizations seeking to increase home health service lines and reduce turnover.

Boss Troubles? Go from Clashes to Collaboration in 2019

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If your relationship with your supervisor is difficult, stressful, or interfering with your productivity, now is the time to make a change.

According to a Harvard Business Review survey, 58% of people say they trust strangers more than their own boss. While boss-employee dynamics often are complicated, they don’t have to means that it’s time for a new job. Take a few minutes to step back and determine where the disconnect is.

New Survey Details 2018 Pay Raise and Compensation Trends

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Whether or not HR plays a key role in setting or approving raises within an organization, these practitioners need to know about what employers are paying and how these decisions are made.

In a new survey of compensation and other pay practices in 2018, employers observed that the greatest challenge they faced in determining salary increases was budget constraints. Other challenges include administering compensation, a competitive salary market, and management approval/buy-in.

Understand Caregivers’ Challenges for Stronger, Happier Workforce

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Some of your employees are caregivers on the job, but more also play that role at home. By knowing what support these people need, employers can retain employees and keep them healthier and more productive.

According to one survey, over 20% of employees are caregivers to a disabled or ill family member or friend. Nearly three-quarters of individuals said their caregiver responsibilities “significantly” affect their work life; and a similar number reported having to rearrange their work schedule, decrease hours, or take an unpaid leave at some point. Those caregiver for someone with emotional or mental health issues are more likely to require special accommodations.