Answer to Question 1
Answer: Employers are endeavoring to rein in health-care costs. Most cost-control efforts should start by instituting methods for measuring and auditing health-care costs. One survey found that although the industry standard for percentage of claims errors is 3, the actual percentage of claims with errors was about 6.3. Several possible strategies include wellness programs, on-site primary care, retaining cost containment specialists, offering health savings accounts, high deductible plans, defined contribution health insurance plans, and accountable care organizations (ACO).
Answer to Question 2
Answer:
Keep a documented history of lateness, absence, and warning notices
Warn chronically late employees before discharging them
Have a policy that three days' absence without calling is reason for automatic discharge
Request a doctor's note on return to work after absence
Make written approval for personal leave mandatory
Stipulate date for return to work from leave
Obtain a signed resignation statement
Mail job abandonment letters if an employee fails to return on time following a leave
Document all instances of poor performance
Require supervisors to document the steps taken to remedy the situation
File the protest against a former employee's unemployment claim on time
Use proper terminology on claim form and attach documented evidence regarding separation
Attend hearings and appeal unwarranted claim
Check every claim against the individual's personnel file
Routinely conduct exit interviews to produce information for protesting unemployment claims