All articles by Amanda Wilkinson – Page 5

  • Article

    Centrica to introduce self-administered HR system

    2007-02-05T11:00:00Z

    Centrica is planning to introduce total reward statements for all employees, along with a self-administered HR system. It is also making changes to its flexible benefits scheme to in a bid to boost take-up among its call centre staff.Through flex, it plans to introduce a Visa Card onto which call ...

  • Analysis

    Flex can help control PMI costs

    2007-02-05T00:00:00Z

    Medical advances and costly new drugs are boosting the cost of PMI, but there are a number of measures employers can take to counter this, says Amanda WilkinsonIf you read nothing else, read this ...Costly new drugs and advances in medical technology are putting pressure on the cost of private ...

  • Analysis

    Debra Corey of Honeywell discusses tailoring benefits country by country

    2007-02-05T00:00:00Z

    Providing cross-border benefits complete with a myriad of variables is a dizzying prospect, but Amanda Wilkinson finds out from Honeywell’s Debra Corey that while consistency is key, it is often easier to standardise the perks package country by country so regard is paid to local practicesLuncheon vouchers may be an ...

  • Article

    Honeywell launches a common car policy

    2007-02-01T00:00:01Z

    Honeywell is putting a standard car policy in place across Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA), using one car manufacturer as its primary provider.The technology and manufacturing group is also embarking on a long-term plan to standardise benefits in each of the countries across the region, starting with the ...

  • Analysis

    Supporting carers can be good for business

    2007-02-01T00:00:01Z

    Employers are coming under increasing pressure from all quarters to offer flexible working to staff, says Amanda Wilkinson, editor of Employee Benefits. The green lobby believes it will help ease congestion, while new legislation in the form of the Work and Families Act 2006 is imposing extra duties on companies ...

  • Article

    Experts fail to agree on hybrid cash plan's appeal

    2006-12-04T00:00:00Z

    Extending cash plans to become ever more like private medical insurance has always been tempting, but experts fail to agree on hybrids' appeal, says Amanda WilkinsonIf you read nothing else, read this ...Healthcare cash plans are being made more relevant for employers by incorporating services such as an employee assistance ...

  • Case Studies

    Employer profile: Henkel

    2006-11-06T00:00:00Z

    Integrating staff packages using perks has become an art form for acquisition-hungry consumer goods firm Henkel, says Amanda Wilkinson.Article in fullAcquisitions of new businesses and product development are part of life at Henkel, a global consumer goods business and the manufacturer of brands such as Schwarzkopf, UniBond, Loctite, Sellotape and ...

  • Analysis

    Focus on international: Benefits in Japan

    2006-09-30T23:00:00Z

    If you read nothing else, read this ...To help alleviate the pensions crisis, the Japanese government has increased the retirement age from 60 to 65 years and slashed state pension benefits by 5%.Historically, companies have provided housing and family allowances for staff.Statutory guidelines on holiday state 10 days after six ...

  • Analysis

    Working families get support with the Work & Families Act

    2006-09-01T00:00:01Z

    Given the high profile of new age discrimination laws, the most significant legislation in support of working families for almost a decade is somehow failing to register, says Amanda WilkinsonCase study: BTArticle in fullOver the last few months, the legislative spotlight for HR and benefits practitioners has been focused on ...

  • Analysis

    Is flex right for you?

    2006-07-31T23:00:00Z

    Amanda Wilkinson asks what employers need to consider when deciding if a flexible benefits scheme is right for their organisationCase Study: EC HarrisArticle in fullFlexible benefits schemes are generally held up as the pinnacle of benefits provision, theoretically helping recruitment and retention by offering employees more choice. But implementing such ...

  • Article

    Oracle may pull flex elections forward and amend insurance perks

    2006-04-30T23:00:00Z

    Oracle is considering pulling forward its flexible benefits election period and moving away from offering some insurance products on a group basis in order to comply with the forthcoming age discrimination legislation.It currently offers a number of insurances - including life assurance, private medical insurance, income protection and critical illness ...

  • Case Studies

    Employer Profile: Post Office

    2006-03-31T23:00:00Z

    Drastic operating losses mean the Post Office must change, so a number of bonus and incentive plans are shaping its culture, says Amanda WilkinsonArticle in fullCulture change is high on the agenda at the Post Office, the retail network of the Royal Mail Group. But turning a company that has ...

  • Article

    Easyjet passes on NI savings to its staff

    2006-03-31T23:00:00Z

    EasyJet is introducing pension payments via salary sacrifice in time for the new tax year and is passing on half its national insurance savings to staff through their pensions.The airline operates a group personal pension plan through Scottish Equitable into which it pays contributions of either 5% or 7% for ...

  • Article

    News update - Government to push total reward strategy

    2006-02-01T00:00:00Z

    The Cabinet Office is working on a project to help the public sector implement total reward strategies and statements. It has enlisted the Hay Group UK to develop an online package for use by local authorities and other public sector employers.It is likely to contain questionnaires that will help public ...

  • Article

    News update - Nationwide looks to revamp flex scheme

    2005-12-01T00:00:00Z

    Nationwide Building Society has overhauled its flexible benefits, including medical insurance products, to comply with incoming age discrimination law.It follows a change in policy in July by the building society to increase the age up to which staff can work from 70 to 75 years old (see July 2005 issue).But ...

  • Article

    News update - Eli Lilly mothballs flexible retirement

    2005-12-01T00:00:00Z

    Eli Lilly has decided not to introduce provisions for flexible retirement following a review of its defined benefits pension scheme in the run up to pensions tax simplification. The Finance Act 2004 provides for employers and schemes to offer the opportunity to members to take pension benefits after the age ...

  • Article

    News update - £60M to be poured into closed pension

    2005-11-01T00:00:00Z

    Coca-Cola Enterprises is closing its defined benefits pension scheme to new employees and is making a payment of more than £60m over the next three years to clear a deficit.Existing staff who are not already members of the defined benefit scheme have been given six weeks to decide whether or ...

  • Article

    GNER negotiates over DB scheme

    2005-09-30T23:00:00Z

    GNER is preparing to start talks with the unions about increasing the level of employer and employee contributions to its final salary pension scheme.The rail operator has just received a valuation for the fund as at the end of December 2004, which shows that the scheme is facing a deficit. ...