PalletCentral • May-June 2022
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The payroll firm Paychex has reported that the average
hourly wage has reached an all-time high of $30 and that
overall compensation paid to employees has increased
more than 11% over the last 12 months, according to the
U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
from such celebrities as tennis star Naomi Osaka
and Olympic gymnast Simone Biles, mental health
awareness is high and many employees – particularly
younger employees – no longer view depression,
anxiety, and other similar issues as a stigma.
"It's become a very popular – and important –
benefit to provide," Kiley said. "We've been helping
many clients enhance these benefits with their
current health care provider."
Many employers this year are also boosting their
core health benefits, according to Robert Deninno
Jr., a principal at Precision Benefits Group in
Philadelphia. For example, Deninno said that if
you're not already offering a health savings account
with a high-deductible health plan then "you're
doing your employees a disservice." A health savings
account allows both employees and employers to
contribute pre-tax dollars that can be used to pay for
such non-reimbursable health expenses as eyeglasses
and diagnostic tests.
In addition to health savings accounts, Deninno
has also seen many of his clients extend their health
care coverage beyond just workers to include their
families. "It's an opportunity to provide even more
