Ergonomics: Tips for Your Desk Workstation
March 25, 2022
Ergonomics Tips for Your Desk Workstation

If there was one benefit for some people during the shutdowns of the COVID-19 pandemic it was that many employers were forced to embrace the concept of employees getting work done while they were confined at home. While it wasn’t ideal for most of us to do our work and our kids’ school from home, the re-opening of schools has made the home work environment just a little easier. We, here at Simco, have embraced the hybrid work model; we are free to work from home, but the office is open to anyone who wishes to use it and there are certain times when teams are requested to be in the office for collaboration which can be essential to a team’s cohesion and efficiency.


While many of us have embraced working from home, it may have taken some time to get a workstation set up; and perhaps you have inherited some bad habits such as working from your couch (or your bed) with the laptop open on your lap. While it may be tempting to change up the scenery, it’s a bad idea for more than one reason. First, it’s unprofessional, inefficient, and probably unproductive, but it’s also a very poor ergonomic decision as well.


Ergonomics is the science of fitting a workspace to an individual’s needs with the goal of increasing efficiency and productivity while simultaneously reducing discomfort and the likelihood of injury. If you are an office worker you were most likely set up with a proper desk and adjustable chair. Perhaps you were given a standing desk or other alternative workstation set up. You have a rest for proper placement of your wrists and elbows, your monitor height was adjusted accordingly, and you have plenty of space for your work materials. Many of these conveniences may be lacking from the home work environment. Especially in the beginning when you couldn’t even find a desk to buy.


Poor ergonomics leads to reduced efficiency and can lead to long-term health issues including injuries to muscles, nerves, ligaments, and tendons. Musculoskeletal injuries can occur when you engage in repetitive movements or even because of poor posture. Neck, shoulder, back strains, eye strain, and the dreaded carpal tunnel are all results of poor ergonomics in partnership with repetitive motion. Here are some good posture tips to promote ergonomic health.


Chair

Your chair should be at a height that your feet rest comfortably on the floor with your knees approximately level with your hips, making sure that your seat is not pressing into the back of your knees.


Back Support

Your backbone should be straight, your shoulders back and your abdomen and buttocks pulled in, chin tucked. If your chair is preventing this try putting a cushion between the curve of your lower back and the back of the chair.


Desk

Your workspace surface should have space underneath for your legs and feet. If a surface is too low adjust the chair height accordingly. Your arms and wrists should be parallel to your legs at a 90-degree angle.


Computer Monitor

Your monitor should be 20-30 inches from your eyes. The top of your screen should be at eye level or below so that you have to look slightly down at your work. If glare is a problem, find a matte screen filter or turn off some or all of the overhead lights and close the blinds.


Eyes

When looking at your screen follow the 20-20-20 rule. Every 20 minutes look at an object at least 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds. Take a longer break of at least 15 minutes after every 2 hours that you spend on your device. If you wear contact lenses, give your eyes an occasional break by wearing your glasses instead and get regular eye exams. During this eye strain break you should take a minute to readjust your posture so that you’re not frozen in one position for more than 20 minutes.


Headsets

Use a headset if you frequently talk on the phone and type or write at the same time. A crooked neck throws your whole spine out of alignment.


Wrists, Elbows and Arms

Wrists should be kept in a straight and natural position when using the keyboard with your upper arms close to your body . Do not use your wrist rest while typing. Use it to take occasional breaks from typing. Keep the mouse and the keyboard on the same level surface, position your arms so that your hands are aligned with, or slightly below, your elbows.


Layout

Organize files and materials so that you don’t have to bend or strain to reach them.

Whether you are working from home or in the office, a proper workstation is necessary to maintain your best workplace health. Taking the time to give yourself a break from working, staying hydrated with plenty of good old H2O and having good posture will go a long way towards preventing injury and strain when you’re spending a lot of time at a computer.

Feel free to use this workstation assessment checklist to make sure that all of your employees are in their best ergonomic position.

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Understanding Credible Coverage, Affordable Coverage, and 2025 Marketplace Tax Credits

August 4, 2025
Navigating health insurance options can feel overwhelming, especially with all the terms and guidelines around coverage and affordability. At Simco, we want to help you and your employees make sense of it all, from understanding what qualifies as credible coverage to how affordable coverage is determined, and what the income limits mean for Marketplace tax credits in 2025. What Is Credible Coverage? Credible coverage refers to health insurance plans that meet or exceed the minimum standards set by government regulations. This is important because if you have credible coverage, you generally don’t qualify for premium tax credits through the health insurance Marketplace. Examples of credible coverage include: Employer-sponsored group health plans Medicare and Medicaid Certain veterans’ health plans Individual health insurance plans that meet minimum essential coverage standards Most employer-sponsored health plans, whether from small businesses or large corporations, are considered credible coverage. This means if you or your employees have health insurance through your job, it likely meets these standards, protecting you from paying unnecessary penalties and possibly disqualifying you from claiming Marketplace subsidies. Why does credible coverage matter? Because if you already have credible coverage, you generally won’t qualify for premium tax credits on Marketplace plans. The government uses this benchmark to ensure people aren’t “double-dipping” by receiving subsidies when they already have adequate insurance. What Does Affordable Coverage Mean? Affordable coverage refers to the cost threshold for employer-provided health insurance that determines if it’s affordable relative to your household income. The IRS sets this threshold annually, and for 2025, the maximum employee-only premium cost to be considered affordable is 9.02% of your household income . Here’s how it works: If the monthly premium you pay for employee-only coverage is less than 9.02% of your household income, your coverage is deemed affordable. If it costs more, you or your employees may be eligible for Marketplace subsidies or tax credits if you choose to enroll there instead. This affordability standard helps employees understand if they have access to reasonably priced insurance through their employer or if Marketplace options might be a better fit financially. Income Guidelines for 2025 Marketplace Tax Credits To qualify for premium tax credits that help lower the cost of Marketplace health insurance, your household income must fall within certain federal poverty level (FPL) ranges. For 2025, individuals and families with household incomes between 100% and 400% of the federal poverty level may be eligible for these credits. The exact dollar amounts vary depending on your household size and location, but generally, the lower your income within this range, the greater your potential tax credit. These credits are designed to make health insurance more accessible and affordable for people who do not have credible or affordable coverage through an employer. Why This Matters as the 2025 Annual Enrollment Period Approaches With the 2025 Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) approaching soon (October 15 to December 7), it’s the perfect time to review your Medicare coverage and evaluate your options. Many people discover that their current plans may no longer be the best fit, or that marketplace options and tax credits could help bridge coverage gaps. Simco is here to guide you and/or your employees through the complexities of health insurance during AEP and beyond. We’ll assess your situation, explain your options, and guide you through enrollment with confidence. Have questions? Contact us today! We’ve got you covered. 

Simco Launches Investment Advisory Services Through Simco Financial

August 3, 2025
At Simco, we’re always looking for ways to bring more value to the businesses we serve. Now, we’re excited to announce a powerful new addition to our suite of advisory services: Simco Financial , our new investment advisory division focused on business retirement plans. “This is a big step forward for us,” said Marc Simmons, founder and CEO of Simco. “Just like we’ve built strong advisory support around HR and benefits, we’re now doing the same for retirement. Simco Financial gives our clients direct access to licensed investment advisors, right from within the Simco ecosystem.” Why We’re Expanding Into Investment Advisory For many business owners, offering a retirement plan is a key part of attracting and retaining top talent. But navigating the complex world of 401(k)s, fiduciary responsibilities, and investment options can be overwhelming, especially when it’s not your day job. “We believe the retirement plan is an incredibly important part of the life cycle of a business,” Simmons explained. By bringing licensed investment advisors in-house, Simco can now deliver unbiased guidance on a range of retirement solutions, from custom 401(k) plans to products like the Simco PEP (Pooled Employer Plan). Whether clients are starting a new plan or reevaluating an existing one, they’ll now have a dedicated advisor to support them from strategy through implementation. What This Means for Our Clients “This advisory service is completely unbiased,” Simmons emphasized. “The PEP, which we often promote, is just one of the products we offer. Our team is here to advise on whatever platform or solution is truly best for your business.” In other words: you’re not locked into a one-size-fits-all option. Simco Financial advisors work with your goals in mind and help ensure your retirement plan is compliant, cost-effective, and competitive. What’s Next? For now, Simco Financial is focused on group retirement plans for businesses . Individual investment services are on the horizon, but not yet available. “We’re starting with the group side,” said Simmons. “But stay tuned, there’s more to come.” With this move, Simco is continuing to expand its value to clients as a true one-stop advisory partner . From HR and benefits to now retirement planning, businesses can get the support they need: simplified, centralized, and personalized. Disclosures: Simco Financial is a registered investment advisor and a division of Simco. Investment advisory services are offered through Simco Financial only to clients or prospective clients where Simco Financial and its representatives are properly licensed or exempt from licensure. The information provided herein is for educational and informational purposes only. Investment and Insurance Products Are: Not Insured by the FDIC or Any Other Government Agency Not a Deposit or Other Obligation of, or Guaranteed by, Any Bank or Bank Affiliate Subject to Investment Risks, Including Possible Loss of Principal Simco's Pooled Employer Plan (PEP) is offered through Simco HCM. Investment advisory services related to the PEP are provided by Simco Financial. Insurance products are sold through Simco Capital, which is licensed in the state of New York.

5 Reasons Why It’s Time to Automate Open Enrollment with a Unified HCM Platform

July 15, 2025
Open enrollment season: the yearly juggling act of compliance, employee questions, and endless paperwork. If you’re still managing benefits with spreadsheets, emails, and disconnected systems, it’s time for a serious upgrade. At Simco, we’ve seen firsthand how automating open enrollment through a unified Human Capital Management (HCM) platform makes life easier for HR teams and employees alike. Here are five reasons why your business should make the switch, and why your workforce will thank you. 1. Slash Errors and Save Time with Automation Manual benefits administration? It’s a recipe for costly mistakes and wasted hours. A unified HCM platform syncs data instantly across HR, payroll, and insurance, cutting out double entries and compliance slip-ups. That means fewer headaches for your HR team and more accurate payroll deductions for you. What you get: Real-time updates when employees change status or eligibility Automatic compliance checks Less time answering repetitive benefits questions 2. Give Employees a Smooth, Self-Service Experience Your employees live on their phones (whether it’s banking, booking appointments, or shopping). Benefits enrollment should be just as easy. With a single login, employees can compare plans, enroll, and update info anytime, anywhere. Bonus: AI-powered decision tools make choosing the right coverage simpler than ever. Why it matters: Boosts employee confidence, satisfaction, and engagement Fits their busy schedules, not yours Simplifies benefits communication and reduces HR support requests 3. Stay Compliant Without the Last-Minute Scramble Open enrollment comes with a complex web of federal, state, and local regulations that must be followed precisely. From tracking Affordable Care Act (ACA) requirements to managing COBRA eligibility and distributing mandatory notices, the compliance checklist can quickly become overwhelming, especially when benefits data is scattered across spreadsheets, emails, and disconnected systems. Without a centralized platform, HR teams often find themselves scrambling at the last minute to gather accurate information, complete audits, and submit reports, putting the organization at risk for costly penalties and damaging employee trust. A comprehensive HCM system builds compliance into the process from the ground up. Eligibility rules, coverage limits, and regulatory requirements are automatically enforced and updated, minimizing human error and ensuring you stay ahead of deadlines and regulatory changes, reducing stress and protecting your business. 4. Stand Out in a Competitive Talent Market Benefits remain one of the most powerful ways to demonstrate to your employees that they are valued. However, a confusing or frustrating enrollment process can quickly undo that goodwill, leading to disengagement and even turnover. In today’s competitive job market, providing a seamless benefits experience is no longer optional, it’s essential. According to our HCM technology partner isolved’s 2025 Workforce Report: 50% of employees say they would seriously consider looking for a new job following a poor open enrollment experience. 90% of job seekers actively compare benefits packages before accepting a job offer, often prioritizing ease of access and clarity. This means that a complicated or outdated enrollment process isn’t just an inconvenience, it’s a real risk to your ability to attract and retain top talent. Investing in a user-friendly, automated benefits platform helps position your company as a modern employer of choice, showing that you care about your employees’ experience every step of the way. 5. Free Up Valuable Time for Your HR Team Open enrollment season often means an overwhelming amount of compliance tasks, employee questions, and administrative work, all on a tight deadline. When benefits management is manual or spread across multiple disconnected systems, it drains your HR team’s time and energy. Automating open enrollment with a unified platform reduces the need for repetitive data entry and minimizes errors, which means fewer fire drills and less time spent fixing problems. This allows your HR professionals to shift their focus from paperwork to higher-value activities like employee engagement, strategic planning, and talent development. In other words, the right technology doesn’t just streamline processes, it gives your HR team the bandwidth to do what really matters: support your people and help your organization thrive. Ready to leave enrollment headaches behind? Get in touch with us today to see how a unified HCM platform can transform your benefits process, making it easier, smarter, and more employee-friendly.

Have a question? Get in touch.