[{"title":"Must-Do Strategies: Steps to More Flexible Time Off Programs","articleTag":"Leave \u0026 Time Off","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/social-media/social-adobeStock_330847010-1200x630.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/must-do-strategies-steps-to-more-flexible-time-off-programs.html","kickerTitle":"Leave \u0026 time off","authorTagId":["Rich Fuerstenberg"],"publishDate":"Feb 09 2023","description":"Work flexibility and time off are more important to employees than ever before. Many employers made changes on the fly to their time-off programs during the pandemic.","otherTagsId":[]},{"title":"What We Now Know About Long COVID – And What To Do About It","articleTag":"Coronavirus","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/social-media/us-2020-health-transparency.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/what-we-now-know-about-long-covid-and-what-to-do-about-it.html","kickerTitle":"Coronavirus","authorTagId":["Rich Fuerstenberg"],"publishDate":"Sep 08 2022","description":"From the early days of the pandemic, there have been reports of people who had COVID-19 experiencing lingering symptoms long after their infections resolved, and there are now people whose symptoms have lasted for years.","otherTagsId":[]},{"title":"Survey Finds Employers Adding Juneteenth as a Paid Holiday","articleTag":"Leave \u0026 Time Off","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/brandimages/hero-edited/GettyImages-719875927-1200x630.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/survey-finds-employers-adding-juneteenth-as-a-paid-holiday.html","kickerTitle":"Leave \u0026 time off","authorTagId":["Rich Fuerstenberg"],"publishDate":"Jun 15 2022","description":"Beth Umland and Rich Fuerstenberg share new data showing a sizeable increase in the number of employers adding Juneteenth as a paid holiday.","otherTagsId":[]},{"title":"Planning for Medical Inflation: The Clock is Ticking","articleTag":"Benefit Flexibility","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/brand-images/supporting-photography/GettyImages-1216167869-medium.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/planning-for-medical-inflation-the-clock-is-ticking.html","kickerTitle":"Healthcare costs","authorTagId":["Rich Fuerstenberg"],"publishDate":"Feb 03 2022","description":"Sunit Patel explains why medical inflation is lagging general inflation, when it might catch up, and how plan sponsors can prepare for a period of greater cost volatility. Rich Fuerstenberg weighs in on dental, vision and disability benefits.","otherTagsId":[]},{"title":"Reviewing your PTO Benefits? Look Beyond National Norms ","articleTag":"Benefit Flexibility","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/brandimages/offset_801016-1200x630.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/reviewing-your-pto-benefits-look-beyond-national-norms.html","kickerTitle":"By the numbers ","authorTagId":["Rich Fuerstenberg"],"publishDate":"Jan 27 2022","description":"We’ve uncovered some important developments in leave benefits. With rapidly changing plans and policies, employers need to know how their current offerings stack up. ","otherTagsId":[]},{"title":"Managing Post-COVID Vacation Requests ","articleTag":"Coronavirus","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/brandimages/AdobeStock_163024108-1200x630.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/managing-post-covid-vacation-requests.html","kickerTitle":"Paid Time Off","authorTagId":["Rich Fuerstenberg"],"publishDate":"Jul 08 2021","description":"As the COVID-19 pandemic fades, many employers are facing a surge in vacation requests. Finding the right balance for your employees may require some adjustments to time-off policies and some timely communication. ","otherTagsId":[]},{"title":"From Juneteenth to Unlimited PTO, Paid Leave Policies are Shifting","articleTag":"Leave \u0026 Time Off","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/brandimages/GettyImages-1214219270-1200x630.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/from-juneteenth-to-unlimited-pto-paid-leave-policies-are-shifting.html","kickerTitle":"Paid Leave","authorTagId":["Rich Fuerstenberg"],"publishDate":"Jun 03 2021","description":"It’s a good time to take stock of what changed in the past year and consider whether your program needs updating to keep pace with trends and meet business and workforce needs in the post-pandemic environment. ","otherTagsId":[]},{"title":"How Employers Can Support Long-Haul COVID Patients ","articleTag":"Coronavirus","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/brandimages/offset_846415-1200x630.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/how-employers-can-support-long-haul-covid-patients.html","kickerTitle":"Coronavirus","authorTagId":["Rich Fuerstenberg"],"publishDate":"May 06 2021","description":"There\u0027s a growing number of \"COVID long-haulers,\" people who haven\u0027t fully recuperated from COVID-19 despite the passing weeks and months. Mercer’s experts share the details and ways employers can support employees who might be suffering.","otherTagsId":[]},{"title":"Employers Step Up to Support Voting","articleTag":"Engagement","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/brandimages/GettyImages-1216720142-1200x630.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/employers-step-up-to-support-voting.html","kickerTitle":"Election 2020","authorTagId":["Rich Fuerstenberg"],"publishDate":"Sep 10 2020","description":"It\u0027s important to keep in mind that short-term disability plans will not provide income replacement to those who are seeking an accommodation but are otherwise able to work.","otherTagsId":[]},{"title":"Catastrophic Medical Claims: Risky Business","articleTag":"Healthcare Cost \u0026 Quality","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/brandimages/GettyImages-642595512-1200x630.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/catastrophic-medical-claims-risky-business.html","kickerTitle":"Healthcare costs","authorTagId":["Rich Fuerstenberg"],"publishDate":"Aug 27 2020","description":"Employers continue to see more multi-million dollar medical claims for treatments that are more maintenance-like than curative. Dan Davey and Rich Fuerstenberg discuss the importance of reviewing catastrophic claim risk during this time of economic u","otherTagsId":[]},{"title":"Paid Leave: Five Considerations for a Second COVID Wave and Beyond ","articleTag":"Coronavirus","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/brandimages/GettyImages-200171399-001-1200x630.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/paid-leave-five-considerations-for-a-second-covid-wave-and-beyond.html","kickerTitle":"Coronavirus","authorTagId":["Rich Fuerstenberg"],"publishDate":"Aug 20 2020","description":"The pandemic has heightened existing challenges associated with leave and paid time off programs. Mercer’s Simon Camaj and Rich Fuerstenberg outline five ways to optimize the performance of these programs. ","otherTagsId":[]},{"title":"Paid Leave: Five Things to Consider as COVID Cases Rise","articleTag":"Coronavirus","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/social-media/us-2020-AdobeStock_126381513-social-media-1200x630.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/paid-leave-five-things-to-consider-as-covid-cases-rise.html","kickerTitle":"Coronavirus","authorTagId":["Rich Fuerstenberg"],"publishDate":"Aug 13 2020","description":"The pandemic has heightened existing challenges associated with leave and paid time off programs. Mercer’s Simon Camaj outlines five ways to optimize the performance of these programs. ","otherTagsId":[]},{"title":"Tough Issue Arising as Workers Return: At-Risk Employees and the ADA","articleTag":"Coronavirus","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/social-media/us-2020-social-media-GettyImages-748344979-1200x630.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/tough-issue-arising-as-workers-return-at-risk-employees-and-the-ada.html","kickerTitle":"Coronavirus","authorTagId":["Rich Fuerstenberg"],"publishDate":"Jul 16 2020","description":"It\u0027s important to keep in mind that short-term disability plans will not provide income replacement to those who are seeking an accommodation but are otherwise able to work.","otherTagsId":[]},{"title":"Designing a Covid-19 Emergency Leave Policy: Four Key Considerations","articleTag":"Coronavirus","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/social-media/us-2020-social-media-GettyImages-916088688-1200x630.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/designing-a-covid-19-emergency-leave-policy-four-key-considerations.html","kickerTitle":"Coronavirus","authorTagId":["Rich Fuerstenberg"],"publishDate":"Mar 17 2020","description":"An emergency leave policy will vary from one organization to the next, and the design process must take into account not only the unique needs of employees but also how the new policy fits in with the employer’s current paid time off policies","otherTagsId":[]},{"title":"Update: Rapid Action on Paid Leave During the Pandemic","articleTag":"Coronavirus","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/social-media/us-2020-social-media-GettyImages-533977059-1200x630.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/update-rapid-action-on-paid-leave-during-the-pandemic.html","kickerTitle":"Coronavirus","authorTagId":["Rich Fuerstenberg"],"publishDate":"Mar 12 2020","description":"Mercer’ Rich Fuerstenberg provides an update on the rapid action employers are taking to address paid leave issues during the COVID-19 outbreak.","otherTagsId":[]},{"title":"COVID-19 and Paid Leave: Three Scenarios to Plan For","articleTag":"Coronavirus","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/social-media/us-2020-AdobeStock_126381513-social-media-1200x630.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/COVID-19-and-paid-leave-three-scenarios-to-plan-for.html","kickerTitle":"Coronavirus","authorTagId":["Rich Fuerstenberg"],"publishDate":"Mar 05 2020","description":"COVID-19 is now actively disrupting lives and businesses in the US -- and unfortunately it’s just the beginning. ","otherTagsId":[]},{"title":"State Paid Leaves: Three Things Employers Should Do in 2020 Besides Comply","articleTag":"Leave \u0026 Time Off","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/brandimages/755652359-1200x630.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/state-paid-leaves-three-things-employers-should-do-in-2020-besides-comply.html","kickerTitle":"Paid Leave Benefits ","authorTagId":["Rich Fuerstenberg"],"publishDate":"Jan 30 2020","description":"2020 will be a big year for statutory paid family and medical leave. Mercer’s Rich Fuerstenberg and Simon Camaj share how employers can turn the compliance burden of state regulations into an opportunity.","otherTagsId":[]},{"title":"Federal Workers To Get Paid Leave: What’s Next for Employers? ","articleTag":"Leave \u0026 Time Off","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/social-media/109432754-social-media-1200x630.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/federal-workers-to-get-paid-leave-whats-next-for-employers.html","kickerTitle":"Paid Leave","authorTagId":["Rich Fuerstenberg"],"publishDate":"Dec 19 2019","description":"The Senate passed a defense bill on Tuesday that will grant federal employees 12 weeks of paid parental leave. This significant benefit for federal workers continues a trend we have seen over the last few years – and may set a new standard for years.","otherTagsId":[]},{"title":"The US is Having Fewer Babies – Employers, What Does this Mean for you?","articleTag":"Well-being \u0026 Lifestyle Benefits","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/content-images/north-america/united-states/us-2018-536908129-social-media-1200x630.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/the-us-is-having-fewer-babies-employers-what-does-this-mean-for-you.html","kickerTitle":"Employer Strategies","authorTagId":["Rich Fuerstenberg"],"publishDate":"Jun 13 2019","description":"The U.S. fertility rate for 2018 hit historic lows. Employers can help the fertility rate in employees with better parental leave policies and other offerings. ","otherTagsId":["Rich Fuerstenberg"]},{"title":"How Big Can Big Claims Get?","articleTag":"Healthcare Cost \u0026 Quality","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/content-images/GettyImages-1319763314.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/how-big-can-big-claims-get.html","kickerTitle":"High-Cost Claims","authorTagId":["Rich Fuerstenberg"],"publishDate":"May 09 2019","description":"Fueled in large part by excessive specialty drug prices, the number of high cost health claims is expanding.","otherTagsId":["Rich Fuerstenberg"]},{"title":"The Pressure is on to Modernize Time-off Benefits: 6 Survey Findings","articleTag":"Leave \u0026 Time Off","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/social-media/ca-2017-planisphere-138057-1200x630.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/the-pressure-is-on-to-modernize-time-off-benefits-6-survey-findings.html","kickerTitle":"Absence and Disability","authorTagId":["Rich Fuerstenberg"],"publishDate":"Jan 16 2019","description":"Mercer 2018 Survey on Absence and Disability Management indicates current employer absence management policies are more responsive to workforce needs.","otherTagsId":["Rich Fuerstenberg"]},{"title":"Think Globally, Comply Locally: How Employers Navigate Leave Laws","articleTag":"Leave \u0026 Time Off","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/content-images/global/gl-2018-help-men-take-parental-leave-hp.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/think-globally-comply-locally-how-employers-navigate-leave-laws.html","kickerTitle":"Absence Management","authorTagId":["Rich Fuerstenberg"],"publishDate":"Nov 15 2018","description":"Employees leave management policies must align with current statutory mandates and prepare to meet new ones.","otherTagsId":["Rich Fuerstenberg"]},{"title":"Will You Be the Last Kid on the Block to Add Paid Parental Leave?","articleTag":"Leave \u0026 Time Off","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/content-images/europe/germany/de-2018-related-content.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/will-you-be-the-last-kid-on-the-block-to-add-paid-parental-leave.html","kickerTitle":"","authorTagId":["Rich Fuerstenberg"],"publishDate":"Oct 22 2018","description":"The Mercer survey on absence and disability management found employer paid parental leave has gone mainstream.","otherTagsId":["Rich Fuerstenberg"]},{"title":"What is Compliance Leave and a Federal Solution For Paid Leave? ","articleTag":"Leave \u0026 Time Off","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/social-media/gl-2016-us-election-impact-on-business.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/a-federal-solution-to-the-paid-leave-compliance-maze1.html","kickerTitle":"","authorTagId":["Rich Fuerstenberg"],"publishDate":"Dec 04 2017","description":"Proposed legislation would exempt employers embracing a national standard for federal paid leave and flexible workplace arrangements from certain requirements.","otherTagsId":["Rich Fuerstenberg"]},{"title":"Employers Tackle Increasingly Complex Leave Requirements ","articleTag":"Leave \u0026 Time Off","imageURL":"/content/dam/mercer/assets/brandimages/hero-edited/us-2016-hero-edited-155735132-.jpg","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/employers-tackle-increasingly-complex-leave-requirements.html","kickerTitle":"","authorTagId":["Rich Fuerstenberg"],"publishDate":"Feb 15 2017","description":"Improving FMLA administration outsourcing leave administration among small and mid-sized employers. in the face of a complex Leave policy for employees.","otherTagsId":["Rich Fuerstenberg"]},{"title":"Employers Create More Flexible, Less Traditional Workplaces ","articleTag":"Health Law \u0026 Policy","pageUrl":"/content/mercer/north-america/us/en/our-thinking/healthcare/employers-create-more-flexible-less-traditional-workplaces.html","kickerTitle":"","authorTagId":["Rich Fuerstenberg"],"publishDate":"Nov 28 2016","description":"Mercer survey on Absence and Disability Management found flexible workplaces for employees in the US embraced by employers.","otherTagsId":["Rich Fuerstenberg"]}]
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