Reflections from Dwight

For Utah employers, health insurance renewal season has started to feel painfully familiar. The renewal arrives, the premium goes up, the deductible is still high, and the explanation is usually some version of, “That is just what the market is doing.” That may describe the problem, but it does not solve it. I work with …

Why “Waiting It Out” Is Costing More Than You Think There was a time when health insurance meant peace of mind. Today, for many Americans, it feels more like a financial tightrope. High premiums. High deductibles. And a growing sense that even though you’re insured… you’re still on your own. If you’ve ever thought, “I’ll …

What Every Employer Needs to Know in 2026 For many employers, the phrase “payroll tax reduction” immediately raises a red flag. And rightfully so. In an environment where questionable financial schemes circulate regularly, business owners have learned to be cautious, especially when something claims to lower taxes. But here’s the truth: Payroll tax reduction is …

Employee retention has become one of the biggest challenges facing employers in 2026. With rising hiring costs, increased competition for talent, and growing employee expectations, companies are realizing that retaining great employees is far more cost-effective than constantly replacing them. According to workforce research, the most successful companies focus on five core employee retention strategies: …

Follow-Up to “Not all wellness plans are created equal” At Dwight Christie Consulting, we talk to business owners, HR leaders, and executives every day who are frustrated by rising benefit costs and skeptical of solutions that promise big savings with minimal downside. That skepticism isn’t only healthy — in many wellness-plan scenarios, it’s necessary. So …

“Offering wellness benefits” has become a checkbox for many employers. A gym discount here, an app subscription there, maybe an occasional lunch-and-learn on stress management. On the surface, it looks like progress. In reality, many of these plans are expensive, underutilized, and fail to deliver meaningful results for either employees or employers. The truth is …