Carol Harnett is <i>HRE</i>’s Benefits columnist. She is a widely respected consultant, speaker, writer and trendspotter in the fields of employee benefits, health and productivity management, health and performance innovation, and value-based health. Follow her on Twitter via @carolharnett and on her video blog, The Work.Love.Play.Daily. She can be emailed at [email protected].
Now may be a good time to reflect upon the problems HR leaders are trying to address with wellness programs.
I want to focus this year's columns on issues that go against the grain of how I'd like to see businesses address employee benefits for their workers.
Patagonia may be the ideal employer thanks to fantastic benefits. Why others might want to follow its lead?
Making diversity and inclusion a higher priority could go a long way to lessen instances of sexual harassment in the workplace.
HRE's benefits columnist reflects on seven lessons HR leaders can glean from her healthcare experience.
Resources
Maven
From Maven
By focusing on evidence-based guidance and early intervention, employers can achieve measurable ROI, including a 55% pregnancy rate without treatment and an average of $8,200 in savings per birth.
Download Resource
LearnLux
From LearnLux
With employee financial stress impacting productivity and retention, choosing the right support program is crucial. This guide provides a comprehensive framework for evaluating financial wellbeing solutions for 2027 to find the best fit for your workforce.
Download Resource
LearnLux
From LearnLux
Discover how New Balance deployed a holistic financial wellbeing program to support its diverse workforce. Learn how their approach helped boost engagement, inclusion, and overall employee health.
Download Resource
Summit AR
From Summit AR
Recover employee-related costs professionally and effectively with Summit AR, helping your organization reclaim what it’s owed while protecting employee relationships and your reputation.
Download Resource
HireRight
From HireRight
HireRight’s 2026 Global Benchmark Report uncovers how organizations are adapting their screening, hiring, and workforce management strategies against a backdrop of AI-powered fraud, identity misrepresentation, and fake candidate profiles.
Download Resource
Wex
From Wex
By shifting away from generic bulk emails, Wex didn't just save valuable time--they unlocked incredible results.
Download Resource
AllWork
From AllWork
This Buyer’s Guide will help you navigate the flexible worker model selection process, drawing on AllWork’s experience in helping mid-to-large-sized companies with onboarding, managing, and paying flexible workers at scale.
Download Resource
Maven
From Maven
With a diverse workforce that leans male, Deutsche Bank prioritized solutions that could support all employees equally--including fathers and caregivers--with a seamless, culturally competent experience.
Download Resource
Wex
From Wex
As the workforce’s needs become more complex, layoffs loom and resources shrink, it’s imperative to be strategic about supporting your HR and benefits team while protecting your own well-being.
Download Resource
Maven
From Maven
Employers are expanding women’s and family health benefits despite climbing healthcare costs. Yet employees report feeling less supported than they did just a year ago.
Download Resource
Transcarent
From Transcarent
Our survey of 1,340 HR and benefits decision-makers shows broad optimism about AI paired with pragmatic expectations.
Download Resource
Maven
From Maven
The proof is in the outcomes. When employers invest in menopause care, symptoms improve, productivity rises, and costs drop--by an average of $1,600 per employee.
Download Resource
Transcarent
From Transcarent
From GLP-1s to specialty oncology drugs, pharmacy spend is rising at an unsustainable rate, faster than any other benefit category, and most employers can’t explain where the dollars are going.
Download ResourceMaven
From Maven
By focusing on evidence-based guidance and early intervention, employers can achieve measurable ROI, including a 55% pregnancy rate without treatment and an average of $8,200 in savings per birth.
Download ResourceLearnLux
From LearnLux
With employee financial stress impacting productivity and retention, choosing the right support program is crucial. This guide provides a comprehensive framework for evaluating financial wellbeing solutions for 2027 to find the best fit for your workforce.
Download ResourceLearnLux
From LearnLux
Discover how New Balance deployed a holistic financial wellbeing program to support its diverse workforce. Learn how their approach helped boost engagement, inclusion, and overall employee health.
Download ResourceSummit AR
From Summit AR
Recover employee-related costs professionally and effectively with Summit AR, helping your organization reclaim what it’s owed while protecting employee relationships and your reputation.
Download ResourceHireRight
From HireRight
HireRight’s 2026 Global Benchmark Report uncovers how organizations are adapting their screening, hiring, and workforce management strategies against a backdrop of AI-powered fraud, identity misrepresentation, and fake candidate profiles.
Download ResourceWex
From Wex
By shifting away from generic bulk emails, Wex didn't just save valuable time--they unlocked incredible results.
Download ResourceAllWork
From AllWork
This Buyer’s Guide will help you navigate the flexible worker model selection process, drawing on AllWork’s experience in helping mid-to-large-sized companies with onboarding, managing, and paying flexible workers at scale.
Download ResourceMaven
From Maven
With a diverse workforce that leans male, Deutsche Bank prioritized solutions that could support all employees equally--including fathers and caregivers--with a seamless, culturally competent experience.
Download ResourceWex
From Wex
As the workforce’s needs become more complex, layoffs loom and resources shrink, it’s imperative to be strategic about supporting your HR and benefits team while protecting your own well-being.
Download ResourceMaven
From Maven
Employers are expanding women’s and family health benefits despite climbing healthcare costs. Yet employees report feeling less supported than they did just a year ago.
Download ResourceTranscarent
From Transcarent
Our survey of 1,340 HR and benefits decision-makers shows broad optimism about AI paired with pragmatic expectations.
Download ResourceMaven
From Maven
The proof is in the outcomes. When employers invest in menopause care, symptoms improve, productivity rises, and costs drop--by an average of $1,600 per employee.
Download ResourceTranscarent
From Transcarent
From GLP-1s to specialty oncology drugs, pharmacy spend is rising at an unsustainable rate, faster than any other benefit category, and most employers can’t explain where the dollars are going.
Download ResourceMaven
From Maven
By focusing on evidence-based guidance and early intervention, employers can achieve measurable ROI, including a 55% pregnancy rate without treatment and an average of $8,200 in savings per birth.
Download Resource