Did you know that poor oral health can lead to many seemingly unrelated medical conditions? In fact, oral bacteria and oral disease have been linked to a variety of serious illnesses, including heart disease, diabetes, stroke and pregnancy complications. Importance of Oral Health The following examples illustrate the relationship between your oral health and general health. Tobacco, alcohol and illicit drugs affect both your overall and oral health. Dry mouth, or a lack of s

A health reimbursement arrangement (HRA) is an employer-funded account that is designed to reimburse employees for qualified medical expenses that are paid for out-of-pocket. There are no annual contribution limits on HRAs. However, the employer usually sets the contribution below the annual deductible. HRAs are often designed to operate with a high deductible health plan (HDHP), thereby reducing premium costs while encouraging employees to spend wisely. Your employer sets up

While veganism isn’t a new concept, it has grown in popularity over the past few years. In fact, according to GlobalData, the number of vegans in the United States grew from 1% to 6% between 2014 and 2017. Those who are vegan do not eat anything containing animal products (such as dairy and eggs), and prefer not to use products made of fur, leather, wool or down feathers. People who choose to follow a vegan diet do so for various reasons, including environmental, ethical or h

The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) requires that most employees in the United States be paid at least the federal minimum wage for all hours worked and overtime pay at time and one-half the regular rate of pay for all hours worked over 40 hours in a workweek. However, the FLSA also provides various exemptions from minimum wage and overtime payment provisions, the most common of which are the “white collar” exemptions. The white collar exemptions apply mainly to executive, ad

Going Camping? Here's the Rundown of What You Need to Know As the temperatures rise and the days become longer, many Americans will head out on camping adventures. Whether you’re a seasoned camping pro or new to the activity, it’s always a good idea to review camping safety tips. Don’t Forget to Pack the Essentials Before setting out, it is important that you remember to pack things like fresh water, food, a first-aid kit, matches, insect repellent, extra clothing and a wate

Overview The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) recently announced its plans to issue new proposed rules on permissible wellness incentives under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) by the end of 2019. In May 2016, the EEOC issued final rules addressing how the ADA applies to employer-sponsored wellness programs. The final rules included a 30% limit for wellness incentives. A federal court vacated this incentive limit, effective Jan. 1, 2019. Consistent wit

According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), our internal feelings about ourselves can affect how we look on the outside. The key to healthy skin lies far beyond the type of soap we use. Feelings of stress can affect how the skin ages by influencing certain processes in the body that lead to oxidation and inflammation. Chemical processes in the body produce molecules called free radicals. These enemies of the skin can damage healthy cells in a process called oxidat

The World Health Organization (WHO) now considers burnout to be a syndrome. In previous editions of the WHO’s International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11), burnout wasn’t considered a serious condition, and its only listed symptom was exhaustion. The WHO’s decision to upgrade burnout to a syndrome and provide a detailed set of symptoms communicates its serious stance on the dangers of burnout. Additionally, the WHO clarified in a public statement that burnout is an “occu

According to the Society for Human Resource Management, approximately 9 percent of U.S. employers allow their employees to bring their dogs to work every day. With this trend on the rise, many employers are wondering if allowing dogs into their workplace is right for them. Benefits of Allowing Dogs in the Workplace Many of the benefits surrounding allowing dogs in the workplace is related to employee engagement and retention. In a time where the labor market is so tight and