The purpose of insurance is to protect people against financial disaster when they are unable to earn a living because of sickness or injury, or to give their dependents some type of income after they die. Whether to purchase insurance is an important financial decision about protecting one's earnings and lifestyle.Many companies pay the entire insurance premium, or pay up to a certain amount of coverage. Some employers require waiting periods, where for example an employee may receive limited benefits for the first year of employment and additional benefits on each anniversary of the start da... view article details

Are your workplace words and actions fun and harmless, or are you violating federal laws? Since people have various thresholds of what is appropriate and what is not, the answer is rarely black and white.This article explores seven scenarios that are at the very least inappropriate, but at their worst can eventually lead to loss of employment, an eroded reputation, and sometimes even legal action.Having a good time You like to knock back a few beers with colleagues after work.Having a few too many and donning the proverbial lampshade won't be good for your rep and it certainly won't p... view article details

Why Do Workers Jump Ship? “I’m so sick of this job. I swear, this year I’m outta here!”It’s a safe bet we’ve all been there at one point or another, as the decision to actively search for a better job at the start of a new year is a fairly common one – especially considering salaries only rose a total of 4% from 2008-2012. But have you ever wondered what kind of workers decide to leave, why they want to jump ship, and how often they’re out there beating the bushes for job leads?We surveyed more than 1,300 people to find out more about the current mindset and attitude of American worke... view article details

Don't Be Short-Sighted Life in 2013 moves fast. Some would say too fast. Our tweets are only 140 characters, social videos on Vine max out at 6 seconds, and we’d all like to get six-pack abs in just a few minutes. What surprises some job-seekers when they learn about salary negotiation, is that sometimes the entire conversation around your future compensation is wrapped up in just a few short minutes, but can have a lasting impact for years to come.If you’re not prepared, it can fly by in an instant. If you don’t have the right approach, you leave money on the table.Here are two cruci... view article details

Health benefits concern the physical well being of employees and their families. Broadly speaking, this could include such things as medical coverage, dental and vision insurance, prescription drug plans, certain types of disability coverage, and counseling services, often called employee personal assistance programs (EAP). You might also have a flexible spending account, which allows you to pay for certain medical and dependent care expenses out of pretax dollars.Dental plansDental plans come in almost as many forms as regular healthcare coverage. Basic dental coverage usually has categories ... view article details

Salary.com estimates that at least one employee in ten has viewed compensation information on the Internet within the last year. That number is expected to grow, as salary sites have become a routine component of both the job search and the career management process. In response to questions from HR professionals about what to do when an employee knocks on the door with a salary printout in hand, Salary.com has prepared this advice for and from employers on responding to online data.There probably is no way for employers to prevent employees from using salary sites, and no advantage to doing s... view article details

Who is looking out for your career - your boss? Probably not. Your accountant? Doubtful. Headhunters, search people, and employment agencies may seem to have your interests in mind, but they're retained - and paid - by the company. So although they can be very nice to you, at the end of the day, their goal is to place candidates and collect a fee.It's time to think like an entrepreneur, with marketable business skills and abilities. It's time to conceive of your career as a high-potential venture, with you as CEO. In this environment, you've got to be your own agent.Learn to look out for your ... view article details

Getting Through  Although email and instant messaging are quickly becoming standard forms of office communication, the telephone still plays an important role in business. Just like a face-to-face meeting, telephone conversations are expected to and should follow certain rules of etiquette to help make the experience pleasant and productive for all those involved. It's easy to forgo manners when talking over the phone. Distractions abound, from impromptu meetings or email notifications blinking on your computer screen. Remember that a conversation over the phone carries just as much weight as ... view article details

 We all know the 7 Deadly sins, Lust, Gluttony, Greed, Sloth, Wrath, Envy and Pride, are practices that are usually best avoided in daily life. But what are the '7 Deadly Sins of the Workplace' and how can committing these 'sins' affect your career?This week, we will explain the '7 Deadly Sins of the Workplace' and reveal the results of our recent poll on the perceived career impact of these 'sins,' complete with some of our readers' real life examples from their jobs. Lust Desperately wanting a coworker's jobUsers who admit to committing this sin: 12.1%A little ambition is healthy, ... view article details

Which Jobs Are on the Rise? As the last chapter of 2013 is written, we once again turn our sights on what’s to come in the new year. And as it turns out, 2014 has a lot to offer in the way of new job growth.We looked into our own Salary.com crystal ball and then referenced sources like the US Bureau of Labor Statistics to determine which fields are slated to enjoy the most growth over the next few years. So if you’re currently unemployed and searching for a job, or if you’re unsatisfied and hoping to change careers, the first thing you need to do is see if your job is on this list.8. ... view article details