In a recent survey, employers say they are not likely to drop health care once state-run insurance exchanges take effect in 2014, finds consulting firm Mercer.

HR is busy trying to put out the fires started by confusion and disgruntled employees, and amidst it all, are often missing opportunities to gain more participation in their benefits plans.

The Department of Health and Human Services is offering grants to ambitious states that can be the first to produce consumer-friendly technology for health care exchanges.

Roughly one-third of respondents say they will reduce health care benefits, 23 percent will reduce bonuses, and 18 percent will be reducing stock options/equity based compensation.