Building a Resilient Workforce During Periods of Adversity

Building a Resilient Workforce During Periods of Adversity

By Tracey Ferstler, PhD, Head of Return to Health, Global Claims, MetLife   COVID turned the world as we know it upside down, and people who work in and around absence management and disability insurance are looking for answers on what’s next.  Will we return to normal or is this our new normal?  What is unique…

10 Causes of Disability Every HR Leader Should Know

When most people consider disability, they picture something catastrophic happening—an injury on the ski slope, or a speeding car hurtling into theirs—and, for the most part assume it can never happen to them. That’s why human resources experts often find it challenging to convince their employees of the importance of disability insurance even though you…

Substitute Perks: How To Give Your Employees Benefits Even When You’re Apart

As the effects of COVID-19 caused offices to close and send workers home, they lost access to many of the perks they might have relied on for comfort and well-being. Given that employees routinely say that benefits play a large role in their job satisfaction, this deficit can lead to a loss of productivity, especially…

How Mindfulness Empowers Us to Skillfully Engage in Difficult Conversations

By Cheryl Jones, Director of Mindfulness at Aetna As if the intensity of dealing with the coronavirus pandemic with its health and economic implications wasn’t enough, we now find ourselves in the midst of rising racial and political tensions. It feels as though our sanity and our humanity are at risk. I believe mindfulness (awareness that…

The benefits of disability insurance

Quick Guide on the Causes of Disability Insurance Claims and Benefits

A disability – whether an injury, illness, or affliction – can be debilitating for people in any occupation. And they’re very hard to predict, meaning that someone can get hurt on or off the job anytime, anywhere. That’s where disability insurance comes in. Disability insurance ensures that you won’t suffer financially, should you become temporarily…

Taking Time Off is Good for Employee Engagement

The pandemic couldn’t stop summer from arriving! As vacation season kicks off, it is a good time for HR teams to encourage the value of taking a break. As we all know, vacations are important for emotional and physical health of employees. In fact, studies show that they build a far more engaged, happy, and…

Research: Data and insights from the CDA

Practical Learnings from the MetLife Annual Employee Benefit Trends Study 2021

By Carol Harnett I recently had the privilege of hosting a podcast with Missy Plohr-Memming from The Council for Disability Awareness’ member company MetLife. Missy is a senior vice president of MetLife’s group benefits national accounts sales organization where she oversees sales strategy and growth initiatives. We talked about the 19th Annual Employee Benefit Trends Study…

Family Matters - Pregnancy and health insurance

Health Insurance and Pregnancy: What You Need to Know

This article originally appeared on the American Fidelity blog.   From buying diapers to creating a birth plan, there’s a lot to prepare for when you’re expecting a child. While you probably won’t be gifted health insurance at a baby shower, it’s still a vital part of your pregnancy experience. Understanding your coverage can help…

Family Matters - Social Security Disability Insurance and family benefits

Why Apply for Social Security Disability Insurance Benefits?

By Matt Imhoff, Assistant Vice President of Representation, Integrated Benefits, Inc. The hidden benefits that often accompany a SSDI award make the long and paperwork-intensive application process worthwhile for many claimants.   Why am I doing this? Social Security Disability Insurance claimants ask their representatives this question all the time.   SSDI provides a maximum…

Mental health - preventing burnout in employees

Employers Can Begin to Address Burnout in the American Workforce

By:Tracey Ferstler, Assistant Vice President, U.S. Claims and Operations, MetLife   The topic of mental health took on an entirely new meaning in 2021. After a year of uncertainties brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, employees and employers alike are focusing more closely on mental wellness and burnout. Employee anxiety, depression and burnout are at…