All Analysis articles – Page 131
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Analysis
Future Strategy 2006 - Outsourcing
Outsourcing individual HR processes is nothing new, but a fresh trend is emerging to outsource entire HR departments, says Victoria FurnessArticle in fullLike a controversial housing development, outsourcing is one of those contentious subjects that divides communities and provokes an emotive response from affected parties. Often the knee-jerk response when ...
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Analysis
Future Strategy 2006 - Motivation schemes must gauge what matters
In a world without any real employee loyalty, motivation schemes must go beyond the 'wow' factor if they are to encourage staff retention, says Alison ColemanArticle in fullIncentives, rewards and motivational techniques play a key part in boosting staff motivation and productivity levels, but with the dynamics of employment relations ...
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Analysis
Future Strategy 2006 - The benefits of homeworking
Barbara Oaff considers the utopian dream of homeworking, with more flexibility and less pollutionArticle in fullIt was 25 years ago that author Alvin Toffler pioneered the term 'The Information Age'. This, he argued, would become the 'Third Wave' in human history. It would be as important as the moves from ...
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Analysis
Future Strategy 2006 - Communications get creative
Organisations are engaging staff using increasingly creative content via mixed media to tailor make their message, says Victoria FurnessArticle in fullIt is hard to believe that the corporate intranet was once considered a state-of-the-art means of internal messaging. But now with most organisations using the medium to communicate benefits information, ...
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Analysis
Future Strategy 2006 - Individualised performance pay no guide to the future
David Shonfield explains the low-inflationary environment presents challenges to individualised payArticle in fullWhen thinking about the future, it is unwise simply to extrapolate from the past. Because individualised performance pay has become such an important element in reward over the past 20 years there is a natural tendency to assume ...
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Analysis
Future Strategy 2006: Employee share schemes
The merits of employee share plans are being called into question due to market performance and new accounting rules, says Sonia SpeedyArticle in fullStories of secretaries walking away with £30,000 from their employee sharesave schemes were standard in the 1990s bull market.But more recently employee share schemes have come in ...
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Analysis
Future Strategy 2006 - Adaptability of voluntary benefits drives demand
Voluntary benefits' underlying value lies in their ability to be greatly adapted, says Bea OaffArticle in fullWine and chocolate; books and CDs; holidays and days out; mobile phones and dishwashers; dental cover and car insurance - today, voluntary benefits cover anything and are available everywhere. But is there a danger ...
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Analysis
Future Strategy 2006 - Work-life balance crucial for expats
Work-life balance is becoming an increasingly important issue for expats, and family matters are often central, says Alison ColemanArticle in fullAs the pace of globalisation continues to accelerate for UK businesses, flexibility will be the theme that underlines their international benefits strategies.Until recently, firms may have required large numbers of ...
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Analysis
Buyer's Guide to employee assistance programmes
When a group of American post-World War II production line workers realised the benefits of holding regular meetings to discuss the problems of alcohol abuse, they had no idea of the importance of their discovery. They had laid the foundations for an employee-focused programme that decades later would be extended ...
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Analysis
Uncovering workplace health risks
Barbara Oaff questions how to avoid the onset of workplace ailments and minimise their impact, but says that the first vital steps are to identify the work-related illnesses and diseases that could present dangerCase Studies: Nestle, NRB Engineering ConsultingArticle in fullWork has always come with a health warning. Advances in ...
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Analysis
Executive stress
Senior managers drive an organisation, but what if stress and healthcare issues undermine performance? Then learn to act on the early warning signs, says Kirstie RedfordCase study: Toshiba Information SystemsArticle in fullLooking up from the lower ranks, senior executives seem to have it made. They have the power to take ...
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Analysis
Feature - In depth: Variable pay on the up
With variable pay, base salary is not so high and in poor years staff need to re-earn bonuses, says Laverne HadawayCase Study: Severn Trent WaterArticle in fullVariable pay does exactly what it says on the tin. Also known in some circles as non-consolidated pay, it contrasts with base pay, which ...
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Analysis
Feature - Focus on healthcare: PMI and cash plans - complementary or conflicting?
Organisations are striking a balance between private medical insurance and cash plan offerings, as outright choices have become far too simplistic, says Stephanie SpicerIf you read nothing else, read this ...PMI will benefit a smaller number of employees but usually to a far greater degree, a healthcare cash plan will, ...
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Analysis
Star employer brands
Burgeoning choice and higher staff expectations have made the hunt for top talent ever harder, as branding acquires a vital recruitment role, says Debbie LovewellFeatured employers: GCHQ, Penguin, ICI, CorusArticle in fullIn today's image-obsessed world, branding plays a part in almost every decision that an individual makes. The role of ...
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Analysis
Feature - Focus on pensions: Bonds explained
You may get staff questions about bonds, and most insurance companies offer a corporate bond fund option in their defined contribution schemes, says Ceri JonesIf you read nothing else, read this ...Corporate bonds are loans to companies from investors. The firm repays the original sum upon maturity and pays regular ...
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Analysis
Global benefits management
More and more employers are realising that managing benefits in other countries can present them with significant cost controls overall, says Neil MerrickIf you read nothing else, read this ...Parent companies are keeping a much closer watch on how benefits are managed in other parts of the world. Most are ...
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Analysis
Feature - Focus on cars: Controlling risk after the company party
With the festive season upon us, and anti drink-driving campaigns rolling out across the nation, organisers are encouraged to be safety conscious, says Nick GoldingIf you read nothing else, read this ...Ensure there are strict company policies in place on drink-driving matters. Police will breathalyse drivers where possible during December ...
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Analysis
Focus on shares: Lawful financial advice
When referring to employee share plans, employers cannot give anything resembling financial advice, so†Sonia Speedy shows how to stay on the right side of the lawIf you read nothing else, read this ...Employers can only provide factual information about how share schemes work and what the potential benefits are.Firms cannot ...
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Analysis
Employee Benefits Wellbeing Supplement 2005 - Stressed out
With fewer than 10% of companies having a policy to tackle stress, it's little wonder the condition is proving to be a blight on British industry as organisational apathy continues to subject staff to serious health risks, says Sam BarrettCase Study: London UndergroundArticle in fullStress is the disease of the ...
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Analysis
Employee Benefits Wellbeing Supplement 2005 - Interview: Sport England
With the government recognising that by increasing levels of fitness there are benefits to organisations and individuals, Sport England is set to help promote activity in the workplace, says Jamin RobertsonArticle in fullAfter a long day in the office and a lengthy commute home, the lure of a drink in ...