Recent Topics
1094/1095 Subgroup Configuration
1094-C: Idea to have this section saved from year to year rather than having to fill it out each year. 1095-C: It would be nice to have an all or copy section of benefits subgroups rather than having to configure each benefits subgroup separately.
Dependents Aging Off Plan
BerniePortal currently does not have a design that automatically removes dependents from a plan after the dependent turns age 26. It is considered that there are exceptions to this, as some dependents are permitted to remain on their parent's health plan
When is it time to ask for a raise in your own HR role?
I've been angling for a raise, but I think I need to be more assertive. When is a good time to ask, and what projects do you use to highlight your accomplishments that your boss acknowledged as raise-worthy?
All Data Report
The All-Data Report should include a field for the hourly rate of pay for employees that are paid hourly instead of salaried. Right now it only shows the calculated annual salary based on the hourly rate times the number of hours worked per week, which
Ability to show monthly vs per pay period cost during open enrollment
This came up from a group that changed to semi-monthly (24) pay periods after we started Open Enrollment but was originally set up for Open Enrollment as Monthly. It would be nice for the employees to have the ability to switch between per pay period
What are your favorite "HR Horror Stories"?
Submit your best HR horror stories here for an opportunity to feature in HR Party of One's Halloween Special! *all identifying details will be redacted*
Dependents Age 26
BP needs to flag any children who are listed who are age 26 and older as a way to prompt employees to remove them when they are not eligible for benefits. Additionally, in line with this, we need a question that will flag a dependent listed who is over
PTO Hourly Accrual
It would be nice for the PTO feature to be able to accrue based on hours worked. Currently, the accrual options are: monthly, quarterly, and annually.
Can you hire somebody who doesn't have a SSN?
We have a great candidate that grew up in a cult (just kidding… maybe) and so she doesn’t have an SSN. What are my next steps?
Ability to add Mass Hours
The ability to add mass hours for a group of employees instead of having to go into each employee's timecard individually to add hours. There are times we close the office early and want to add 2 hours or so to each employee's timecard. We would like
My highest performing salesperson wants to be promoted to the open manager role. Thing is, he’s the highest performer—we can’t really afford to remove him from that role. Any advice?
I don’t want to hurt his feelings, but I’m worried he will quit if he doesn’t get this promotion. SOS! He’s by far our best salesman.
1094B-1095B capability
I have been asking for this for years, but now with the online filing requirement looming for 2024, it would REALLY be nice if Bernie Portal will be able to provide 1094B/1095B eFiling. Is this on the radar?
I need to brainstorm benefits that won’t break the bank. We already offer pet insurance. What type of budget-friendly benefits do you offer?
The pet insurance is super popular haha, but I need more to offer that isn’t intensive or expensive.
When writing job descriptions or interviewing, are you transparent about salary?
I am new to this position, but not to HR. In the past, the salary was rarely discussed, but I have had recent (younger) interviewees ask direct questions about it and make demands. I find it offputting, but I want to adapt and figure out the best way
Email notifications: distinguish new hires from routine updates
Would it be possible to set up notifications so that they are not sent out for each update made as a new hire updates address, language, etc, but only have those go out for updates after the initial election sheet is generated? Or even better, have the
Allow closing of edit request
It would be great if Bernie Portal could make it so that if an administrator makes an edit request, if they need to, they can cancel the request or close it without making changes. Sometimes employees change their mind when wanting to change their W-4
How to respond or what steps to take if an employee files an OSHA complaint?
One of my employees has unfortunately filed a complaint. Even more unfortunately, he was in the right to do it. What do I do next? Boss is no help.
In your experience, what perks are people looking for jobs most excited about?
I want to have fun new perks. I've seen stuff about gym memberships online but I want stuff that may appeal to other people too. Ideas?
PTO Report- Ability to select past years
It would be nice if you could select past years when pulling this report so that you could see an overview of past time as well as current
Email Notifications
As a broker, I'm assisting one of my groups with their benefit enrollments and have the email notifications currently set so I can receive them. Since I have many clients using BP, it would be nice if the name of the client was in the email subject line
I am sick of my payroll provider. When is the best time to switch payroll companies?
I’m a pretty small operation and I’m ready to be the change you want to see in the world. Pls, just give it to me straight on when to switch and how hard it might be!
BerniePortal training for new agency employees?
I'm curious how other insurance agencies train their new hires on BerniePortal. Most of our team members have been here since we started using BerniePortal so their knowledge has come over time and using the system. How do you get a new team member up
Need Termination PDF's when an employee moves to a new subgroup that doesn't have specific benefits from the latter.
If an employer has multiple subgroups, Bernie does not send termination PDFs if an employee moves to a new subgroup that doesn't have the same benefits available as the previous subgroup. For example, Full time employees are offered medical, dental and
How many biweekly pay periods are there in 2023?
Feel free to send resources!
How do you remind people to use PTO? Or avoid them using it all at the same time?
I have had EIGHT!!! People that work the same shift request off for the same week in July. I'm ready to riot. Any advice welcome.
Salary Driven premium Changing in BP now Even when setting is At Plan Anniversary -Confusing
Although my client's STD policy is set for Salary Changes to not effect premiums until the Plan Anniversary Date, BP is changing the deduction and dating the change for the anniversary date which is 10 months out. The individuals personal account shows
Benefit Reduction
It would be nice if we could add "Benefit Reduction" to election pdf summaries generated by Bernie Portal. It's hard to currently tell that someone went in and elected $100k of life insurance and Bernie automatically gave them $65k because of their age.
How to handle an employee asking for training when my budget is minimal?
Looking for creative ideas and thoughts.
Clickable Enrollment on Home Screen
It would be a great benefit if when you click on the enrollment numbers (circles with totals) on each type of benefit, you can see not just the number of how many are enrolled but WHO is enrolled without running a report!
Defined Contributions
It would be nice if under the define contributions you can put in the amount that the employer is will to contribute to not only the employee but any dependents as well. IE: Employee: x amount Spouse: x amount Per Dependents up to: x amount And then have
Custom Text Options (Bold, Underline, Color) in Email Reminder
I want to be able to bold deadlines to create additional emphasis when sending email reminders; for example, when a deadline is looming or an EOI needs to be completed. Currently, the only option is Caps Lock, and I'd prefer additional ways to highlight
I just had my new guy that I really pushed to hire quit after only 3 days. The hiring process was rigorous and he seemed like a great fit! How do you prevent new hires from quitting during onboarding?
He interviewed well, including an interview with our CEO, and had all the right credentials. Our onboarding process is pretty average. He said when he left that he didn't think our company is right for him. Anyone have experience with this??
How long does it normally take to get through the onboarding process?
I use the 30-60-90 plan to onboard new employees, but my friend in HR at another place only takes 3 weeks. Is there a middle ground or best practice?
I have an employee with an accommodation that lets them work from home some days, but others on their team are beginning to ask questions. How do I respect the privacy of someone with a disability?
This question pretty much covers it. (fake names) Sally works from home two days a week due to a medical disability, but now Mark is mad he can't work from home and keeps pestering me about it. How do I get Mark to back off, respectfully?
EOI Approval Emails
When an EOI is approved by the employer, the employee receives an email stating that their EOI was approved. The interested party and employee do not receive an email that a new elections PDF has been generated. I would suggest having an email setting
HRIS Systems
Hello everyone! Can you recommend some great HRIS systems for non-profit organizations with 1-100 employees?
Employee field Hours Worked - As a Reportable field
If the Hours Worked field, which is required when entering a new hire was reportable (ie: a field included in the All Data/reporting fields), this would allow employers to run a report an capture staff who are FTEs, not true full time, but they could
What is the best way to introduce your new hire to the team?
Looking for tips & ideas. Thanks!
STD Employee Contribution by $ Amount (Instead of %)
Trying to build out an STD plan where the employer contributed the base level of benefit and employees can buy up. ER Contribution by amount versus % would help.
100% Employer Paid Plans & COBRA
Currently if you have a Non-contributory ancillary plan (Dental/Vision), it will show as 100% Employer Paid when a former employee is enrolling in COBRA. Unless I'm missing something, it means you need to create two separate Dental plans: One that's ER