The ABC network's respectful treatment of longtime Jeopardy! host Alex Trebek through his battle with cancer exemplifies compassion. Even as his health deteriorated, they supported his desire to continue working as long as possible, which he did until shortly before his death in November 2020. Their actions follow three key principles for treating with compassion an employee who is navigating a serious medical condition.

Once upon a time, in order to get employees to follow a company's safety rules and procedures all management had to do was threaten them. The employees didn't like it, but they would obey for fear of losing their jobs. Blind compliance was achieved - but the way to get it made for a terrible place to work.

Then employers "evolved" to holding safety meetings replete with gory photos of dismembered limbs and injury survivors telling their 30-year-old "don't do what I did" stories. In short, bad and ineffective management resorted to scare tactics (which some workplaces still use today) to coerce their employees into following safety policies. There is a certain irony in terrorizing workers into being safe.

It's that time of year again: time for companies to examine their current employee benefits and consider their options for increasing value - preferably without increasing cost. This year, such decisions are further complicated (and made more challenging) by a global pandemic.

Unsurprisingly, many companies are focusing on tools to help employees stay mentally and emotionally healthy while they engage in social distancing to protect their physical health. More and more employers are expanding employee benefits for virtual healthcare (telehealth) and increasing access to programs that will help improve and maintain employees' mental health and well-being.