2008 Helios Apollo Awards™
Please join us in recognizing top organizations in the Washington metropolitan area that promote a culture of continuous learning as we highlight best practices and trends in employee development. More
Engaging Employees
A recent survey conducted by the Washington Post found that 55% of employees are not engaged in their work. A 2007 global workforce survey conducted by Towers Perrin showed that companies with the largest percentage of engaged employees had an increased operating income of 19%, while companies with the lowest percentage of engaged employees had year-to-year declines in operating income of 33%. The same survey showed that less than 5% of engaged employees were actively looking for new employment, while more than 25% of disengaged employees are actively looking. More
Avoiding Legal Pitfalls with Employee Severance Agreements and Releases
The Value of Wellness
|
Helios HR is proud to announce the finalists of the 2008 Helios Apollo Awards™.
Creating and sustaining an engaged workforce can directly impact your bottom line and increase employee retention. But as many employers know, this is easier said than done.
When an employee is terminated or laid off, an employer will often consider paying the employee some amount of severance. When negotiating a severance agreement, it is always a good idea to negotiate a release of liability by the employee. Without a release of liability in a severance agreement, the employer is not receiving anything of value for its severance payment. An employee could accept a severance package and immediately sue his or her former employer. By including a release of liability in severance agreements, employers will protect themselves from claims by former employees. A poorly drafted release might not accomplish this goal and could leave employers exposed to litigation where they had previously thought they were protected. Without a properly drafted release, an employer could be paying for an unenforceable promise. 
With healthcare costs continuing to rise, companies are employing tactics in an attempt to lower their costs. Such actions may include: transferring costs to employees, increasing premiums and switching group health carriers who may provide better alternatives. One of the recent trends gaining traction among employers is the execution of wellness programs. | Issue 5 | May 2008 |
|
Guide to HR Administration
Helios HR client-focused delivery models include:
Additional information is available at www.helioshr.com
|
