Smart Benefits: Small Businesses Remain Those with 50 or Less Employees
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Monday, October 19, 2015
Rob Calise, GoLocalWorcester Business/Health Expert
President Obama
President Obama’s signature of the
PACE Act this month will give some employers relief from the ACA.
Under the ACA, small employers are subject to additional requirements, including the requirement to cover essential health benefits. Currently, small businesses are defined as those with fewer than 50 employees; however, that definition was slated to change on January 1 to include businesses with up to 100 employees. But the Protecting Affordable Coverage for Employees (PACE) Act repeals that mandated change.
The new law keeps the definition of small business at 50 workers, sparing employers with 51-100 employees anticipated increases in healthcare costs starting in 2016. States can accept this definition or take action to change it to include businesses with up to 100 employees.
Rob Calise is the Managing Director, Employee Benefits. of Cornerstone|Gencorp , where he helps clients control the costs of employee benefits by focusing on consumer driven strategies and on how to best utilize the tax savings tools the government provides. Rob serves as Chairman of the Board of United Benefit Advisors, and is a board member of the Blue Cross & Blue Shield of RI Broker Advisory Board, United HealthCare of New England Broker Advisory Board and Rhode Island Business Healthcare Advisors Council. He is also a member of the National Association of Health Underwriters (NAHU), American Health Insurance Association (AHIA) and the Employers Council on Flexible Compensation (ECFC), as well as various human resource associations. Rob is a graduate of Bryant University with a BS in Finance.
Related Slideshow: 20 Ways To Support Small Businesses in Central MA
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Grab Some Coffee
Talyta’s Café
20 Front St., Worcester MA
Talyta’s Café has you covered for the most important meal of the day!
Grab some Huevos Rancheros, and egg burrito, or go all out with their breakfast special piled high with home fries, eggs, and toast before you head out to shop your Saturday away.
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Grab a Snack
Bahnan’s International Marketplace
344 Pleasant St., Worcester, MA
Don’t have time to sit down to breakfast? Bahnan’s International Marketplace, Bakery and Café is a family-owned business that offers meat pies, fresh breads and some sweet pastries to grab on the go!
They also have a selection of imported teas and coffees to get your morning started.
Photo: Bahnan's International Marketplace
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Shop for Dad
Shack’s
446 Main St., Fitchburg, MA
Get dad the gift of looking like a million bucks with a tailored outfit from Shack’s.
They specialize in men’s fine clothing including sports coats and trousers and tailoring is free with purchase!
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Shop for Mom
The Hidden Jewel
72 Shrewsbury St., Worcester, MA
The Hidden Jewel has beautiful handmade jewelry, apparel for the office and on-the-go, and the best part is most of their wares are made in the US!
Photo: The Hidden Jewel
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Shop for Someone Special
Mark Gerard’s Therapeutic Massage
21 West St Worcester, MA
Mark Gerard’s Therapeutic Massage offers Reiki, deep Swedish massages, and deep tissue therapy massages to give that special someone in your life some relaxation.
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Shop for a Difficult Buy
Union Music
142 Southbridge St., Worcester, MA
Give that difficult person to buy for in your family the gift of music!
Union Music offers music lessons, instruments, and repairs at their full-service music shop.
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Take a Break
ArtsWorcester
660 Main Street, Worcester, MA
ArtsWorcester hosts exhibits from local artists and promotes them to the public.
Admission into the gallery is always free of charge and they sell art that can suit most budgets.
Support local art on Small Business Saturday with ArtsWorcester!
Photo: ArtsWorcester
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Grab Some More Lunch
Armsby Abbey
144 Main St, Worcester, MA
Armsby Abbey offers delicious comfort food and a wide selection of Farmstead cheeses to enjoy with their house-baked breads.
Armsby also has delicious sandwiches and soups to warm you up after a blustery shopping day.
Photo: Armsby Abbey
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Even More Lunch!
Mezcal Tequila Cantina
20 Central St. Leominster, MA
Add some spice to your day at Mezcal Tequila Cantina.
Come for the guacamole and salsa bar and stay for the generously portioned entrees like their Adobo Chicken Enchiladas and Pulled Pork Tostadas!
Photo: Mezcal Tequila Cantina
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Do Something Creative
EcoTarium
222 Harrington Way, Worcester, MA
EcoTarium makes learning science a fun experience.
The museum offers memberships - a great gift idea for the children in your family- and Science Discovery Programs daily.
Photo: EcoTarium
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Participate in and Event
Small Business Saturday at Annie's Book Shop
Annie's is taking Small Business Saturday to the next level by featuring the Worcester Writers Collaborative, a local organization supporting writers throughout Worcester County, in a collection of readings, signings, and more from 12:00 PM 6:00 PM.
Click here for more information
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Get Some Retail Therapy
Exclusives
39 Pleasant St., Worcester, MA
Exclusives has on-trend fashions for men and women and carries an eclectic selection of music and media!
College students can also save an extra 10% off their purchases.
Photo: Exclusives
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Repair Your Shoes
Central Shoe Repair of Worcester
37 Mechanic St., Worcester, MA
Central Shoe Repair of Worcester repairs everything from leather soles, boots, high heels and even purses.
Central Shoe Repair will help you keep your fashionable wares in tact!
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Revitalize Your Space
Rotman's
725 Southbridge St., Worcester, MA
Need to perk up your living space for the season?
Head into Rotman's where you can find new carpets, furniture, lighting and more.
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Go Golfing
Auburn Driving Range
541 Southbridge st. Auburn MA
Get some exercise and test your skills at Auburn Driving Range.
Take lessons to improve your golf game or play for fun, and Ladies' Night is every Saturday with half priced buckets.
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Get Ready For a Special Occassion
Isaac's Alterations
63 Auburn St., Auburn, MA
Isaac's Alterations offers a wide selection of dresses for your next wedding, birthday celebration, or formal event.
They also offer alterations, show and handbag repair on site to keep you looking your best!
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Relax Your Body and Mind
Yoga Mandala
750 Main St, Winchester, MA
Yoga Mandala offers yoga courses for yogis of all ages and abilities.
Choose from “Core Strengthening and Conditioning” or Barre- inspired courses or purchase a package for someone on your Christmas list!
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Grab a Drink
Compass Tavern
90 Harding St., Worcester, MA
Grab a locally crafted beer or seasonal cocktail at The Compass Tavern.
The tavern is home to the largest bar in Worcester - seating 48 at any given time.
Grab some food and begin your weekend at Compass Tavern!
Photo: Compass Tavern
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Feed Your Sweet Tooth
La Patisserie
30 Church St., Winchester, MA
Feed your sweet tooth with a decadent dessert at La Patisserie.
Grab a red velvet cupcake, éclair or lemon bar and treat yourself after a busy shopping day.
Photo: La Patisserie
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Watch the Game
Whiskey on Water
97 Water St, Worcester
Looking for that perfect place to watch the big football games over the weekend. Whiskey on Water is exactly where you want to be.
Their 32-tap system will feature Worcester largest selection of local and craft and bottled beer. Food will continuously evolve with New England’s first rotating food truck service.
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Grab A Late Night Snack
The Banner Bar and Grille
112 Green Street, Worcester
The Banner Bar and Grille is one of the best spots around to get late-night post-bar favorites like nachos piled high with chicken or chili, wings, and melty quesadillas.
The Banner also features music from local DJs every weekend night so you can have your snake and get some entertainment!
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