All Analysis articles – Page 102
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Analysis
How employers can use deferred bonus schemes
Bonus payments have hit the news for all the wrong reasons, but deferred bonus schemes may offer employers a more ethically acceptable and economic solution, says Sarah ColesIf you read nothing else, read this…Deferred bonuses are increasingly appearing on employers’ agendas.These can simply consist of cash deferred to a later ...
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Analysis
Closing defined benefit schemes to future accrual
Employers that want to close their defined benefit pension schemes to future accruals have a number of hurdles to clear, says Nicola SullivanAccording to the Pensions provision in turbulent times survey of more than 160 trustee and company representatives published by Watson Wyatt in January, more than a quarter of ...
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Analysis
Motivating staff in the recession
As the recession puts pressure on pay and jobs, reward schemes can play a vital role in keeping employees motivated, says Amanda Wilkinson.Case study: AdeccoCase study: Henry Boot†MAIN ARTICLECost-cutting is currently the number one priority for many organisations affected by the recession. But there is a danger that redundancies, forfeiture ...
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Analysis
Finding the right investment funds for occupational pensions
Investment funds are the lifeblood of pension schemes, and finding the right mix of risk and return is key for both employers and employees, says Ceri JonesAs insurance companies' open architecture platforms have developed, hundreds of funds have become available, and defined contribution (DC) plans have been attracted by the ...
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Analysis
Ways to promote better pensions engagement for employees
It can be hard to get staff to take an active interest in pension schemes, but promoting greater engagement will bear fruit for employers, says Jenny KeefeFirstly, there are those who do not have a retirement fund, such as model Jodie Kidd. “I don’t have a pension,” she says. “I ...
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Analysis
Interview with Tim Jones, chief executive of the Personal Accounts Delivery Association
Tim Jones, chief executive of the Personal Accounts Delivery Authority, is leading Britain towards the 2012 pensions changes. He is confident the scheme will run smoothly, says Nicola SullivanAs chief executive of the Personal Accounts Delivery Authority (Pada), Tim Jones is one of the key people behind making personal accounts ...
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Analysis
Proposed changes to parental leave
Proposed changes to parental leave could result in increased leave and pay for both mothers and fathersOn 30 March, the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) unveiled radical proposals, in its Working Better report, to change parental leave .It proposes that parents should each get four months parental leave (mothers ...
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Analysis
Getting the most out of absence management systems
Absence can be an expensive business for employers, but are reporting tools designed to tackle the problem always worth the investment, asks Tom WashingtonFor organisations struggling to navigate the current economic turbulence, it is essential to ensure key staff are present and productive. Absence is a thorny issue for many ...
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Analysis
Pass on management costs of pension schemes
All employers are looking for ways to reduce the cost of administering their pension schemes. Ceri Jones suggests there has never been a better time to make a bold move.This is the driver behind the current trend to move from trust-based DC schemes to contract-based schemes, such as group personal ...
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Analysis
Get staff to see the true value of perks
Executive summary As the recession bites, employers are becoming more demanding of their employee benefits packages, wanting more tangible business benefits. Benefits only work if staff value them. Good communication can dramatically boost employee satisfaction and, in turn, commitment to the organisation. Communication needs to be targeted at staff whose ...
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Analysis
Annuities affect staffing plans
Falling annuity rates mean many employees can’t afford to retire, reports Sarah ColesThe brief renaissance in annuity rates is over. After hitting a six-year high this summer, the decline set in again, and in the three months from October 2008 to January 2009 alone they fell a startling 5%. This ...
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Analysis
It pays to review healthcare benefits
Executive summaryThe introduction of new drugs and procedures means that medical inflation is running at around 8.5% a yearAround 80% of costs are driven by the 15% to 20% of people with chronic conditions.There are a number of ways to keep a cap on private medical insurance costs, from reducing ...
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Analysis
Employers must examine eye care for staff
Employers need to look carefully at eye care for their staff, says Stephanie SpicerIn the grand scheme of cost control, eye tests may not flash too brightly on the radar of most finance directors. This may be short-sighted – employers have obligations to their employees concerning their eye care, but ...
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Analysis
Special report: Tax efficiency on employee benefits
Executive summary: Using tax and National Insurance (NI) breaks available on the provision of benefits can save employers money and help to improve cash flow. It is especially pertinent as NI is due to rise by 0.5% for both employees and employers in April 2011. The first most obvious way ...
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Analysis
How to communicate flexible benefits
Getting the right message to the right people via the right media is a key to success for flexible benefits schemes, says Jenny KeefeWith so many methods of communication available, the basic rules of communicating flexible benefits can be forgotten. But getting the basics right will pay off, and there ...
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Analysis
Pensions within flexible benefits schemes
Many employers have been reluctant to include pensions in their flex schemes, but there are advantages in doing so, says Katrina McKeeverOver the past two decades, as flexible benefits schemes have grown in popularity in the UK, employers have generally fought shy of including pensions within flex.Traditionally, they have cited ...
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Analysis
The evolution of benefits technology
Advances in technology have revolutionised the delivery of benefits in recent years and the evolution process is continuing, says Victoria Furness.The past decade has seen a huge leap in the evolution of technology. Devices that would have seemed fanciful 10 years ago, such as iPods, digital cameras and increasingly sophisticated ...
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Analysis
Employers use cost cutting measures to avoid redundancies
As the recession tightens its grip employers are taking a cold look at reward and considering a number of cost cutting measures to avoid making redundancies says Nicola SullivanKey areas to consider are:Reduced working hours Paid sabbaticals Pensions Bonuses Contractual perks Consultation process What to consider when making changes ...
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Analysis
Salary sacrifice benefits
The range of benefits that can be offered under salary sacrifice arrangements has expanded in recent years and the advantages for employer and employee are considerable, says Tom Washington.Salary sacrifice arrangements around tax-efficient benefits allow staff to swap part of their gross salary for a non-cash benefit provided by their ...
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Analysis
Calculating the value of pension funds
Putting a value on an employer's defined benefit pension scheme is a complicated matter and figures can vary widely according to the measure used and its intended purpose, says Katrina McKeever.An employer which wants to know how much its defined benefit (DB) pension scheme is worth on any given day ...