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Category: Resources

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Benefits Resources

What Are Some Online HR Services?

Digital Human Resources Tools

The internet is a double-edged sword. On one hand, we sometimes see rampant misinformation and scams. On the other hand, there are extensive resources if we know where to look. Finding the right resources is the first essential step in appreciating what the internet has to offer to human resource professionals. What are some online HR services? We’ll give you some great places to start, and exploring these services can often lead to the discovery of others you can benefit from as well.

Professional Associations & Educational Resources

Are you a member of the Society for Human Resources Management? If so, you have access to substantial online HR services from sample documents to compliance resources. Members can download an employee handbook to customize for their workplaces or can access articles on topics like managing post-pandemic compensation and how to think about pay equity.

If you’re hoping to get access to some online HR services without paying for a SHRM membership, try www.hr.com. This website boasts the ability to access educational tools, collaborate with other HR professionals, and share your own content. Membership is free.

There are also more specialized resources like https://talentculture.com/ which is particularly focused on being an online HR service and resource for fostering a positive work environment and the type of company culture you want.

News Sites

It seems like every day there’s something new in the HR world. From the changing landscape of the workplace due to Covid-19, to new best practices and interpreting complex laws, keeping up with HR industry news can make your life easier. Some online HR services aggregate the most timely and relevant news stories for HR professionals. Try https://www.hrdive.com/ as a good starting point.

Recruiting Tools

Some online HR services include recruiting tools like job boards. You likely have your favorite sites where you can post for technical positions, business positions, or sales professionals. Did you know there are also job sites specific to hiring human resource workers? Sites like https://www.ihirehr.com/ and https://www.hrcrossing.com/ can help you narrow your focus and post in places that HR professionals are most likely to be looking.

Social Media

In addition to traditional websites, consider social media if you’re looking for online HR services. Social media channels, especially LinkedIn and Twitter, have substantial numbers of HR workers who post professional content. You can follow anyone from large HR agencies to individual HR leaders that you find useful. Besides following people or companies, consider looking at trending hashtags. For instance, #employeeengagement or #recruiting may be beneficial when you’re looking for inspiration; or consider #emplaw or #hrblog for some educational posts.

LinkedIn also has groups specific to HR professionals. For example, the group Linked: HR has almost a million members. You can also try Whole-Hearted Leadership or Human Resources (HR) and Talent Management Executives.

Don’t think of the internet as the opposite of the “human touch” that HR professionals are so good at. Instead, think of the internet as the potential for a world of resources you can access quickly and efficiently. Some online HR services can save you hours of work, whether you’re using a sample document as a starting point, picking a new benefits management company, posting a job, or networking with other HR professionals. Additionally, if you’re looking for an online resource to manage your benefits, contact Benefit Leader for more information.

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Are Health Benefits Required For Part-Time Employees?

Business people during business meeting
Business people during business meeting

Employers are not required to provide health benefits for part-time employees, yet many still choose to offer healthcare plans as part of a benefits package.

Whether as a way to provide an incentive to part-time employees or to help meet minimum signup requirements with their insurance carrier, many employers elect to provide these benefits to those who are eligible.

Offering Part-Time Employee Health Benefits: What You Need To Know

Health benefits are not required for part-time employees, but all eligible part-time employees have access to health benefits if their employer offers health benefits to eligible part-time employees.

In other words, employers must be consistent with benefit plan offerings to all eligible employees. If they offer health insurance to full-time employees, all full-time equivalent employees must be offered health insurance.

The same is true when offering health benefits to part-time employees. If certain part-time employees have access to health benefits, then all who meet eligibility requirements must have access to the same benefits.

Certain eligibility requirements, such as what amount of hours constitutes a part-time employee, are out of an employer’s hands.

However, employers have some control over eligibility when it comes to part-time employees. For example, employers may be able to decide what amount of hours worked per week or per month makes an employee eligible for benefits.

How Many Hours Do Your Part-Time Employees Work?

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) helped establish guidelines for healthcare, and this includes healthcare plans offered to full- and part-time employees. Employers must follow guidelines set forth by the ACA when it comes to offering healthcare coverage.

This means part-time employees are those who work less than 30 hours per week. Employers may want to offer benefits to those part-time employees who work close to 30 hours per week, but not for those who work only a few hours per week.

Part-Time Employee Health Benefits Eligibility Requirement

For these reasons, it’s important that employers establish their own regulations regarding who can qualify for benefits. Some examples of such regulations include setting:

  • minimum hour requirement per week
  • minimum hour requirement per month
  • or, allowing anyone who is employed to access benefits

Insurance Carrier Regulations For Part-Time Employees

It’s important that any employer considering offering health benefits to part-time employees first reach out to their current insurance carrier to ensure the provider will allow it. Not all insurance carriers will provide part-time benefits, and some may impose strict stipulations.

However, many health insurance companies require that businesses offering healthcare plans meet a certain percentage for enrollment. It may actually help employers to offer health insurance benefits to part-time employees in order to ensure this minimum requirement is met.

Navigating the world of health insurance benefits can be daunting, especially for employers considering offering benefits to part-time employees. A broker can help evaluate your current benefits program and select a health insurance company that matches your specific needs.

Sources:

HealthCare.gov — How the Affordable Care Act affects small business

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