All Analysis articles – Page 124

  • Analysis

    Vox pop: Industry practioners on staff wellbeing

    2006-11-01T00:00:00Z

    Nick Golding quizzes a cross section of industry practitioners on the amount of responsibility that employers should take for their employees' wellbeing."It's in an organisation's best interests to promote good health. The role that an employer can usefully play is to assist individuals in accessing any available health and wellbeing ...

  • Analysis

    Government emphasises workplace wellbeing

    2006-11-01T00:00:00Z

    Amid rising UK obesity levels and an increase in drink-related health problems, the government has appointed Dame Carol Black as national director of health and work to push the state's message on wellness, says Vicki TaylorArticle in fullMessages about health and wellbeing now bombard us from all directions. Television schedules ...

  • Analysis

    Don't run down heavy monitoring

    2006-11-01T00:00:00Z

    Line managers can be a valuable knowledge base to help curtail long-term absence, as organisations look to trigger points to monitor recovery, says Nick Golding.Article in fullPeriods of genuine long-term sickness absence can be just as much of a problem for employers as bogus short-term absences. Not least because, after ...

  • Analysis

    Comparing quotes from international health insurers

    2006-11-01T00:00:00Z

    Not all international health insurers include tax charges in their initial quotes, so comparing quotes across the board can be highly misleading, says Kirstie Redford.If you read nothing else, read this ...Different countries charge varying tax rates on insurance premiums.Not all international health insurers include tax costs or other additional ...

  • Analysis

    Evolving PMI market could lead to better deal

    2006-11-01T00:00:00Z

    The private medical insurance (PMI) market is rapidly evolving with an ever-greater emphasis on offering health and wellbeing perks, either as part of policy or as add-ons. So employers may find that reviewing their policy could result in a better deal, says Vicki Taylor.Article in fullThe private medical insurance (PMI) ...

  • Analysis

    How to manage Flexible benefits

    2006-11-01T00:00:00Z

    Editorial What is flexible benefits? Building the business case for flexible benefits The benefits of salary sacrifice How to implement flexible benefits Tax and legal issues Keeping flex fresh Flex in action…Contributor: Victoria FurnessEditorialInterest in flexible benefits schemes shows little sign of waning. There are still many organisations which have ...

  • Analysis

    Seasonal benefits

    2006-11-01T00:00:00Z

    Seasonal events may seem like a way of motivating staff, but beware of cultural and religious issues, says Jamin Robertson.Article in fullIn sporting circles, it is said that rain is a great leveller in terms of status. In the world of work, the same may be said of Christmas parties.Most ...

  • Analysis

    Managing benefits during a restructure

    2006-11-01T00:00:00Z

    Retaining and motivating key staff during a restructure can be a challenge, unless the right benefits package is offered, says Vicki TaylorArticle in FullThe last few months have seen a steady stream of high-profile organisations announcing changes to their workforce due to company restructuring, including Aviva, Thames Water and the ...

  • Analysis

    Outsourcing payroll and its effect on voluntary healthcare benefits

    2006-11-01T00:00:00Z

    Sally Hamilton looks at how voluntary healthcare benefits are affected when payroll is outsourced and whether it is easier for companies to offer benefits as standard insteadIf you read nothing else, read this ...Outsourcing payroll can trigger plans to refresh a voluntary benefits package.Healthcare plan providers view it as a ...

  • Analysis

    Health kick can nurse ailing balance sheets

    2006-11-01T00:00:00Z

    Employers are often well positioned to school their workers on wellbeing issues, even if it is only by passing on basic information - and this may result in some impressive returns, says Debbie LovewellArticle in fullYet, a high number of the UK population are still failing to do so. Figures ...

  • Analysis

    The advantages of educating employees around pension schemes

    2006-11-01T00:00:00Z

    Educating scheme members about an organisation's pension schemes can boost take up and help to offset any potential risk of employer liability, says Debbie Lovewell.If you read nothing else, read this ...Some providers have added financial education services to their group defined contribution (DC) products.Educating members about their DC pension ...

  • Analysis

    A-day changes continue to cause problems

    2006-11-01T00:00:00Z

    Despite the arrival of new laws to untangle pensions, months after A-Day many employers are still tied up in knots, says Nick Golding.Article in fullPension managers may seem a little more sceptical than usual, as many are still battling to implement a myriad of changes relating to pensions tax simplification ...

  • Analysis

    Do ECOP schemes promote unsafe car choice?

    2006-10-01T00:00:01Z

    If you read nothing else, read this ...The European New Car Assessment Programme (Euro NCAP) rates new cars on a range of safety factors, such as seat belt reminders and the seriousness of head injuries sustained in a collision.Restricting an employee car ownership plan (Ecop) driver to a limited range ...

  • Analysis

    Relaunching a salary sacrifice scheme

    2006-09-30T23:00:00Z

    Relaunching existing tax-efficient benefits schemes to staff is not only cheaper than bringing in new benefits, it is much less hassle, says Nick GoldingCase study: NestleArticle in fullAlthough, on the face of it, you are giving people something they already have, with careful marketing and effective repackaging, take-up rates can ...

  • Analysis

    Offering pensions through salary sacrifice

    2006-09-30T23:00:00Z

    Offering pensions through salary sacrifice can result in savings but may not suit all staff, says Jamin RobertsonArticle in fullLured by the National Insurance (NI) and tax savings on offer, employers have been drawn in large numbers to set up salary sacrifice arrangements for pension plans. Employee Benefits/Aegon Trustee Solutions ...

  • Analysis

    Can group self-invested personal pensions rival GPPs?

    2006-09-30T23:00:00Z

    Case study: HypoVereinsbank (HVB)Self-invested personal pensions (Sipps) have been riding on a wave of popularity and now the group Sipp is muscling in on the act making its own headlines and attracting employers' attention.The increased investment flexibility and more lenient pension contribution limits afforded by pensions simplification legislation have helped ...

  • Analysis

    Getting the most from staff surveys

    2006-09-30T23:00:00Z

    Staff surveys can be invaluable in identifying employees' top perks but employers must be prepared to act on the results, says Nick GoldingCase study: Mills & ReeveArticle in fullAt some point in our lives, whether at Christmas or on a birthday, we have all unwrapped a present, feigned a smile ...

  • Analysis

    The future for salary sacrifice schemes

    2006-09-30T23:00:00Z

    Salary sacrifice arrangements are a growing trend, but what does the future hold, asks Vicki TaylorArticle in fullOrganisations introducing new tax-efficient benefits would be forgiven for being apprehensive about the government’s commitment to the longevity of schemes.Since the shock removal of the home computing initiative (HCI) in April’s Budget statement, ...

  • Analysis

    Can EAPs cut long-term healthcare costs?

    2006-09-30T23:00:00Z

    If you read nothing else, read this ...A study of London civil servants revealed a link between chronic work-related stress and conditions related to heart disease.Employee assistance programmes (EAPs) are designed to provide information and access to counselling services on a range of issues, including stress.There is no guarantee that ...

  • Analysis

    Occupational health changing to focus on wellness and prevention

    2006-09-30T23:00:00Z

    A sea of change is occurring in occupational health as its emphasis shifts towards wellness and the prevention of ailments, says Sam BarrettOccupational healthcare is undergoing an image change. While it used to be focused around looking after sick employees, its emphasis now is on helping companies to keep their ...