As an editor, I don't often get to see the action as much as a reporter would. Reporters are on the front lines; they're the ones at the scene, observing, interviewing, recording and bringing you the news. It's the more exciting job, no doubt.
So I was pretty jazzed about the idea of reporting on what should be an interesting speech from the woman some like to call the Wicked Witch of the West Wing, the Pantsuit Socialist or, my favorite, Hillary the Horrid.
Love or hate her, former First Lady and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is one of the best known advocates for health reform and, as a consequence, attracts her share of attention. That's no doubt why the Society of Human Resource Management invited her to deliver one of the keynotes at next week's SHRM conference in Chicago.
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Unfortunately, I just found out that the one-time (and next time?) presidential candidate's speech will be off limits to the media, so there'll be no way for me to hear her thoughts or (toss her questions) about Benghazi, let alone the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.
The good news? There's plenty more happening at SHRM to cover, a lot of it very serious and some of it somewhat less so.
For example …
Happenings in Booth No. 3315, where the PetFirst folks will be camped out.
The company, according to its PR people, is about to launch a big push to persuade employers to offer pet insurance.
Why would employers want this?
According to PetFirst, research has shown that pet owners tend to be less stressed, healthier and more productive employees than employees who don't own pets, making pet owners less likely to use medical insurance and other costly benefits.
I might also stop over at Booth No. 4206, where Pumping Essentials will be reminding anyone who pops in that, while most breast pumps come with a high price tag, most health insurance plans under Obamacare will now cover the full cost of a high-quality breast pump — without co-pays or deductibles.
To quote its release, Pumping Essentials markets "a double electric breast pump, along with a hands-free pumping bra, to maximize productivity."
Breastfeeding, it reminds us, is preventative medicine. If companies invest in preventative health programs, they can save money on health care costs in the long term.
Down the hall, a communications firm called Peppercomm will be going for laughs – literally – promoting the idea that comedy can enhance corporate culture.
This is serious stuff, people. Crain's New York Business recently named the company the No. 1 workplace in New York City, topping 930 other organizations, including MetLife and Microsoft, for "going beyond the pale for (its) employees."
The biggest differentiator cited? Its stand-up comedy training program and a permanent "Fun Committee" that's dedicated to ensuring the firm delivers on its work-hard, play-hard culture.
Peppercomm is working with HR managers at major pharmaceutical companies, law firms and, it says, even (italic mine) medical practices.
Anyone know any doctor jokes?
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