All Analysis articles – Page 103
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Analysis
Alternatives to private medical insurance
Private medical insurance may seem a likely target for reducing expenditure on perks, but some newer hybrid products may offer a more economical alternative, says Tom WashingtonIf benefits practitioners are looking to reduce employee-related costs by reviewing expenditure on perks, private medical insurance (PMI) is likely to come under the ...
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Analysis
Driving down fleet car costs
Executive summaryNovember's pre-Budget report confirmed the last pieces of the company car taxation jigsaw to bring them in line with the government's CO2 agenda. So now might be a good time for employers to revisit their fleet strategy.If employees can be switched into lower CO2-emitting cars, there is a compelling ...
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Analysis
Ensuring the safety of company car users
There is little legal compulsion for employers to ensure their company car users are sufficiently fit and healthy to drive, but there are plenty of good reasons why they should do so, says Katrina McKeeverThere is little in law to compel employers to check the health of their drivers when ...
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Analysis
News analysis: Will lower-paid workers be worse of in 2012?
Some lower-paid workers could be worse off when the new pension reforms come into effect in 2012Low-paid staff may not all benefit from changes set to come into effect under 2012 pensions reform legislation due to the impact of auto-enrolment on means-tested benefits. But, despite this, pensions experts have largely ...
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Analysis
Optimising the value of benefits
In tough times, optimising the value of benefits will boost staff appreciation and engagement, but does not have to cost the earth, says Debbie LovewellAs the recession takes a stronger grip across the UK, cash-strapped consumers fearful for their jobs are on the hunt for whatever bargains they can find. ...
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Analysis
How employers can prepare for 2012 pension reforms
Updated on 10 Decemember 2012:For the most up-to-date facts, analysis and news please go to our dedicated pensions auto-enrolment section.Read Special report on auto-enrolment (written December 2012)Updated on 15 January 2012:Read updated reports on how to prepare for the 2012 pension reforms:News:Government confirms new staging dates for auto-enrolment (written January ...
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Analysis
Remunerating international benefits advisers
How employers can expect to pay benefits brokers, whether by commission or fees, is likely to reflect the idiosyncrasies of the country in which they are buying perks, says Katrina McKeeverBenefits consultants and brokers often play a key role in helping international benefits professionals to source products and services in ...
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Analysis
Enhanced transfer values
Employers that want to incentivise staff to move out of a defined benefit pension scheme by offering them an enhanced transfer value deal must be aware of the potential pitfalls, says Nicola SullivanAs the credit crunch increasingly wipes the value off of pension scheme assets, many employers offering defined benefit ...
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Analysis
Using cognitive behavioural therapy to tackle work-related stress
Work-related stress is a notoriously difficult problem to deal with, but the growing availability of cognitive behavioural therapy means employers may be able to do more to help, says Nicola SullivanCognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), often associated with acute mental health conditions, is finding its way into the workplace, where it ...
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Analysis
Employers adapting defined benefit pensions to avoid scheme closure
Employers are increasingly having to adapt defined benefit pension schemes to avoid their total closureMarks and Spencer's (M&S) move to limit the cost of its defined benefit (DB) pension scheme has highlighted the pressures currently faced by many large employers. The retail giant, which closed its DB scheme to new ...
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Analysis
Tailor financial education to suit employees' life stages
Segmenting the workforce to suit every stage of employee’ lives is one way of targeting financial education effectively, says Tom WashingtonIn reality, providing completely bespoke, personalised financial education for each employee is impossible, as their needs will be so varied. Offering one-to-one meetings with an independent financial adviser is the ...
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Analysis
Developments in green fleet
The stumbling blocks to employers running a green fleet have been steadily removed thanks to manufacturers' improved technology and a wealth of tax incentives, says Tom WashingtonSince the government introduced a CO2 emissions-based benefit-in-kind (BIK) tax aimed at cutting pollution in 2002, the fleet market has been slowly evolving to ...
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Analysis
Providing benefits during maternity leave
Employers must quickly get to grips with the new maternity leave rights, says Victoria FurnessThe government's drive to be seen as more family-friendly in recent years - with the introduction of policies such as extended maternity leave - is having an unwanted effect: life has got more complicated for employers ...
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Analysis
Optimise flexible benefits through segmentation
Targeting flex communications is increasingly important, says Lloyds TSB's Tim FevyerThere is a clear business benefit in offering more choice to employees. Tailoring packages to better meet the needs of a diverse workforce means that employers are better positioned to recruit, retain and engage the people they need to take ...
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Analysis
Managing DB pension investment strategies in a downturn
After a big drop in the value of defined benefit pension scheme assets last year, employers and trustees may consider reviewing their long-term investment strategies, says Katrina McKeeverLast year's global financial meltdown sparked a rollercoaster ride for defined benefit (DB) pension plans. The UK's 200 biggest privately sponsored pension schemes ...
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Analysis
What to consider when deciding which share plan to offer staff
There are many factors to consider when deciding which share plan to offer, says Katrina McKeeverAll-employee share schemes enable staff to share in the success of their employer, benefiting from any rise in the share price. According to figures from HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), about five million UK workers ...
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Analysis
Employer-funded healthcare cash plans
Healthcare cash plans have traditionally been paid for as a voluntary benefit by staff, but an increasing number of employers are seeing the value of funding the perk for their employees, says Tom WashingtonThe healthcare cash plan market typically performs well in tough economic times because of the perk's relatively ...
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Analysis
Benefits in Canada
Economic and demographic pressures are forcing Canada's employers to rethink their benefits provision, with a growing move towards defined contribution pensions and flex, says Sarah ColesAn ageing workforce, stratospheric healthcare inflation, a sliding stock market and an impending recession are all having an impact on the provision of benefits in ...
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Analysis
Employers should check cost-effectiveness of benefit advisers' commission
Benefits advisers can be remunerated in various ways, so employers should check the cost-effectiveness of how they pay for their services, says Sam BarrettThe advice and support required to implement a well-designed benefits package that fits an organisation’s business strategy, meets the needs of its employees and offers value for ...
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Analysis
Using benefits to support low-paid staff
Lower-paid staff can be particularly vulnerable during a recession, but carefully targeted benefits can help them cope, says Nicola SullivanTimes of economic crisis pose financial challenges for many, however, those on low salaries are often the most likely to feel the pinch. Employers can make a number of provisions through ...