Rhode Island’s 35-cent hike in the minimum wage to $7.75 an hour on Jan. 1 won’t necessarily put more dollars into the state’s ailing economy, based on the findings of a new study by the Washington, D.C.-based Employment Policies Institute. more

Whose cuisine reigns supreme? more

When employees at the state’s largest independent insurance agency, Starkweather & Shelpley Insurance Brokerage Inc., wanted to slim down, they brought management on board. Discounted gym memberships and on-site Weight Watchers meetings soon followed. That was about 10 years ago. more

Sure, nobody wants to be labeled a Scrooge. But if you’re among the roughly 50 percent of U.S. businesses (and shrinking) that still offer traditional year-end bonuses, it might be time to join the 21st century – and plan for something different in 2013. more

Embrace Home Loans, a mortgage lender with more than 500 employees in 25 offices across the U.S., puts the personal touch on charitable giving here in Rhode Island. more

It’s Saturday night around 6 p.m. Early dinner for Jessica, Gabrielle and me. more

Bill Reed, a chair with Vistage International, was one of five CEOs and peer-group facilitators who recently participated in a forum on the benefits of peer groups. Held in late September at Babson College, “The Power of Peer Groups to Support Growth and Change,” offered attendees an overview of the benefits of peer groups. Reed has been a chair with Vistage for several years and also serves as a partner at School Street Capital Group. He is a former CEO and currently chair’s Vistage’s CEO Peer Advisory Board and a Vistage Key Executive Group, which are comprised of leaders from enterprises in Rhode Island and Massachusetts. more

Following the perennial cycle of holiday celebration and overindulgence, it is a new year – a time for many of us to make resolutions, often focused on living a healthier lifestyle. As individuals, we commit to these changes. How much easier would it be if we were supported in the place where we spend 40 or more hours a week? more

Part of fostering a work-life balance for employees includes offering resources when life’s problems overshadow the workplace. Things like drug dependency, financial challenges, caring for an elderly parent or the side effects of stress. more

The national trend in cultivating a diverse workforce tends to focus on enriching corporate culture, staying in line with equal-opportunity regulations and attracting talented professionals. more