News You Can Use: Presidential preferences

Don't miss our must-see coverage of what President-elect Obama's policies will mean for you. It's all online at ebn.benefitnews.com.

News You Can Use: Go Green, reduce sick days

It's that time of year again. Just when it seems that the half of your office down with a cold or flu recovers, the other half goes out on sick leave or struggles through the day, sniffing and sneezing at their desk.

The World Health Organization estimates that the cost of influenza to the U.S. economy in terms of health care costs and lost productivity can range from $71 billion to $167 billion a year.

In order to combat illness, consider latching on to the industry's hottest trend - green cleaning!

"Green cleaning provides demonstrable benefits to improved indoor environmental utility that directly relates to decreased absenteeism and increased productivity. As a tenant leasing space in a building, you want to lease space that will provide the healthiest possible environment for your occupants," said Keith Schneringer, President of USGBC San Diego.

Cleaning products can contribute to indoor air quality problems as volatile organic compounds (VOCs) evaporate and are circulated through the building's ventilation system. Indoor air is often several times more contaminated than outdoor air, and allergic reactions to unhealthy environments account for more than 10 million workdays missed by U.S. employees each year.

By replacing products that negatively affect indoor environmental quality, the health and productivity of all building occupants is improved.

"…[U]se non-toxic, non-reactive chemicals that have a minimal effect on the environment," said Kurt Lester, partner of Servi-Tek, a green cleaning specialist.

Quotable: Look smart, recruiters!

"After a period of reactionary cutting and freezing, hiring activity will return to a level of normalcy that closely replicates the hiring levels experienced during the first half of 2008," says Jobfox CEO Rob McGovern, author of The Recession: A Silver Lining for Corporate Recruiters, a white paper. "Hiring is largely a function of 'job churn' and we see no evidence that churn will do anything but accelerate in the coming quarters."

Tip of the Day: Energy (and cost) saving tips for the office

When your business is struggling to save for every penny, low-to-no-cost ways to save money are often overlooked in the search for the next grand solution. Go green(er) and with these cost saving measures, courtesy of the E.P.A.'s ENERGY STAR program:

Give it a rest
Use power management settings on your computer and monitor (sleep mode) when not in use. Use the power strip as a central "turn off" point to completely disconnect the power supply at night.

Unplug it
Unplug cell phones and laptops when they are charged. Adapters draw energy from outlets even when they're not charging.

Lighten up
Make sure your bulbs are ENERGY STAR efficient. They last up to ten times longer and use 75% less energy. And of course, turn the lights off when you leave.

Let it flow
Make sure paper, files and office supplies aren't blocking air vents. Blocked vents use up to 25% more energy.

Team up
Remember the power of numbers. Create a "green team" in your office to brainstorm ways to make your working environment a greener place.

News You Can Use: Latest ECI numbers released

The Dept. of Labor recently released the latest Employment Cost Index data, a periodic breakdown of salary and benefit costs to employers. From June to September, benefits costs rose 0.7%. In private industry, benefit costsincreased 2.4 percent, less than the increase for state and local government, which was 3.3 percent for the12-month period ended September 2008.

Scone: Congratulations, President-elect Obama

Illinois Sen. Barack Obama (D) was elected the nation's 44th president by a decisive margin yesterday, winning 349 electoral votes to Sen. John McCain's (R-Ariz.) 162.

The president-elect addressed the nation last night, acknowledging the challenges our nation faces at home and abroad, saying, "the road ahead will be long. Our climb will be steep. We may not get there in one year or even one term, but America, I have never been more hopeful than I am tonight that we will get there. I promise you: We as a people will get there."

I congratulate President-elect Obama and hope all Americans rally to support him in working to solve our nation's diverse problems. To EBN readers, whether Obama won your vote or not, I hope that you made your desire for America's future known by participating in the process and that you will make your voice heard to our new president on the issues that matter most to you.

The level of engagement this year from people who never before have participated in the voting process and the change it can yield should inspire you. I encourage you to read up on Obama's positions on health care and retirement, and respond with your unique views.

Speaking of your views, I sincerely thank everyone who participated in our "rock the vote" quickpoll about the benefits-related issue that was most important to you in the election. Not surprisingly, health care reform topped the list, with 37% of the vote. Reducing benefit costs and reducing administrative burdens on HR/benefits staff tied with 30%.

For my part, I look forward to giving the issues that matter most to you and your employees a platform in EBN and bringing you benefits news and trends amid our new political reality.

News You Can Use: Y? Because we're still calculating.

The IRS is waiving 2008 Code Y reporting for deferred compensation under 409A nonqualified deferred compensation plans, citing a need to figure out "how to calculate the amount that would be included in income." While they calculate, take a breather.