Editor’s Note

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As the focus on employee health and well-being is increasing, corporate wellness programs are gradually becoming the order of the day. A healthy and happy employee is a productive employee. It is evident that employee’s health affects more than just medical costs. Hence, employers have a tremendous opportunity and an important role to play to set the tone for the employees to adopt a healthier lifestyle and work-life balance.   

A supportive work culture that emphasizes and implements a customized wellness strategy can keep employees motivated and engaged in leading a healthy lifestyle. This month’s cover article, The State of Workplace Wellness Around the Globe by Anne-­‐Marie Kirby, throws some light on the current state and future of workplace wellness.
 
Today, when managers have so many items competing for their time and attention, it’s vital to re-think our routines occasionally to gain new perspectives and more effective ways to spend our time. Read Jeff Davidson’s article, Gain More Breathing Space, for 7 ways to alter your routines to make better use of your time.

What comes to mind when you hear the word ‘outsourcing’? Employee layoffs? Questionable customer service? A generic overall experience? There are many misconceptions and a lot of negativity surrounding outsourcing, most of which stem from a pure lack of understanding about how outsourcing actually works. Don’t let negative perceptions get in the way of making the decision that’s best for your organization. Read, Top 5 Benefits Outsourcing Myths Debunked by Meisha Bochicchio for more insights.
 
Over the past fifteen years, wellness programs have generated more than their fair share of litigation and regulatory scrutiny – primarily over the issue of whether they comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act. A related compliance issue that has attracted relatively little attention from courts and regulators is whether, under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), employees must be paid for time spent participating in wellness-related activities. Should Employees Be Paid For Wellness Activities? What does the DOL Opinion Letter say? Eric Athey’s article will answer all of these and more!
 
This is not all! We have a variety of other informative articles on employee benefits and wellness in this issue. We hope you enjoy reading all the articles and get back to us with your valuable feedback.
 
Happy Reading!