Benefits news you may have missed: April 13-17

Most don’t think telehealth is available to them: A vast majority (82%) of just over 2,000 Americans do not think telehealth options are available to them, according to a survey conducted by Opinium on behalf of G&S Business Communications. Those findings indicate that HR and benefits leaders have their work cut out for them in communicating the telemedicine benefits they offer. Read more here.

Microsoft offers 12 weeks of paid parental leave due to pandemic: The tech giant is offering up to three months of paid parental leave to employees facing school closures due to the coronavirus pandemic. Read more here.

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Coronavirus stress soars: Nearly seven in 10 workers claim the coronavirus pandemic is the most stressful time of their professional career, according to mental health provider Ginger. The research indicates that HR and benefits leaders would be wise to step up and help employees through this time and address stress, anxiety and other concerns. Read more here.

Bummed HBLC is canceled? Catch up on these big benefits topics instead: The coronavirus pandemic forced HRE to cancel its Health and Benefits Leadership Conference–but that doesn’t mean education about benefits has to stop. A look into some of the biggest benefits topics that were going to be addressed at HBLC–and stories to read about them right now. Read the three-part series here, here and here.

Coronavirus resource spotlight: OneDigital’s health cost tool: Benefits firm OneDigital launched a COVID-19 Health Plan Cost Impact Tool, which helps employers identify how coronavirus could financially impact their employee plans. A look into the new service and why it’s important. Read more here.

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Coronavirus taking a big toll on employees’ financial wellbeing: About 4 in 10 employees say COVID-19-related work/life changes are negatively impacting their financial wellbeing, according to Optum. As a result, smart HR leaders should help employees by offering–and touting–financial programs, emergency funds, financial counseling and other wellness components. Read more here.

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Kathryn Mayer
Kathryn Mayer is HRE’s former benefits editor and chair of the Health & Benefits Leadership Conference. She has covered benefits for the better part of a decade, and her stories have won multiple awards, including a Jesse H. Neal Award and honors from the American Society of Business Publication Editors and the National Federation of Press Women. She holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Denver.