All Analysis articles – Page 138
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Analysis
Benefits envy
Ill-feeling can set in when benefits are distributed unfairly. Childcare, performance, long service, management bonuses and reward, and expatriate packages are all potential flash points for professional envy, says Jenny KeefeCase Studies - Toyota, Punch TavernsArticle in fullThere is an AA car loan advert doing the rounds at the moment ...
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Analysis
International focus: Argentina
If you read nothing else read thisBenefits in Argentina appear to have been restored to the same level as before the economic crisis and currency devaluation.Luncheon vouchers and healthcare remain popular, but company cars are less common than elsewhere in South America.Confusion surrounds the future of pensions, with some employers ...
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Analysis
Rebranding your organisation
Case studies: Shell, Barclays, IBMIn summaryA generous benefits scheme can help to reshape public perception of an organisation and entice new recruits. Some firms with a staid, or even murky, reputation, have successfully used benefits to reinvent themselves. Benchmarking against competitors and building benefits into the brand are a good ...
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Analysis
Buyer’s Guide feature – Contract-based pensions
Article in fullThe market for group personal pensions (GPPs) and employer-sponsored stakeholder pensions went largely on hold during 2004, as providers grappled with the challenges to their systems caused by the new tax rules due in April 2006. When these come on stream, however, they should give a boost to ...
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Analysis
Tendering for benefits
In summaryTendering for benefits products is commonplace in the public sector, but is still unusual among private sector organisations. By doing so, however, employers could gain a better service for their staff. Cost savings are also often up for grabs.Case study: PowergenArticle in fullTendering for products and services is something ...
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Analysis
Feature – How to measure flexible benefits’ return on investment
In summaryCase study: Lloyds TSBFlexible benefits schemes are frequently hailed as the key to recruiting and retaining staff. Yet few employers actually measure the return on investment they are gaining from their scheme. Carrying out regular staff surveys and focus groups is one way of measuring if a scheme is ...
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Analysis
International Supplement 2005 – Cover story: Avoid cross-border merry-go-rounds
Case studies: Brown Forman, BordersArticle in fullAs the old joke goes: it's a small world, but I wouldn't want to have to paint it. It's a feeling which benefits managers will know well. While an international benefits strategy seems like a sensible step in today's global economy, many organisations are ...
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Analysis
International Supplement 2005 – Feature: Cases of the weird and wonderful
Case Study: ORC LondonArticle in fullIn spite of the uncertainties of the economic and political climates, organisations continue to send significant numbers of employees on overseas assignments, to increasingly far-flung destinations. Typically, their role is to head up new operations, or fill skills gaps in existing divisions, and, as such, ...
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Analysis
International Supplement 2005 – Feature: Commuters under your wing?
Article in fullThe life of a jet-setting A-List celebrity holds a certain appeal. Being paid to travel the world can be far more alluring than spending your working life tied to a desk. The increasing availability of low cost travel means that it is easier than ever for staff to ...
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Analysis
What financial advice can employers give?
In summaryA fear of breaching Financial Services Authority (FSA) regulations means employers traditionally shy away from giving staff financial advice. While only authorised firms and individuals are allowed to advise on financial services products, however, employers can provide access to financial advice. In some cases, they may even be able ...
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Analysis
EB Comment: Can you afford to help fund Brown's windfall on A-Day
It is unlikely that any employer in the UK is going to escape untouched by the law changes. Even if you expect your advisers to take care of the technical pensions side, you will need to work out which of your staff you need to talk to, and find out ...
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Analysis
Financial education for share schemes
Article in fullTiming, accessibility and presentation. These are the watchwords to providing financial advice for a successful share scheme, although getting the mix right to ensure a high take-up is far from easy. While staff at the top will know they are on to a good thing, those on lower ...
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Analysis
The benefits of providing financial advice for staff
Article in fullIt is almost impossible to turn on the television or open a newspaper without seeing some mention of consumer debt escalating out of control, a looming pensions crisis or potential crash in the housing market. Even the government has begun to intervene - through the creation of bodies ...
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Analysis
Motivating your mid-performers
In summaryOrganisations have a tendency to focus most of their energy on the highest and lowest performers, often neglecting the majority who fall in-between. By not focussing enough energy on these mid-performers, they may easily slip down into your lower performance category and ultimately leave the company. Implementing reward and ...
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Analysis
Feature - Voting in pension trustees
If you read nothing else, read this ... The new Pensions Act 2004 will require at least one-third of every trustee board to be member-nominated, and this will move to 50% within the next few years. The Act also requires trustees to understand their own scheme, and the framework ...
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Analysis
Feature - Make homeworking a success
In summaryHistorically, homeworking was great for employers because it allowed them to reduce their office costs, but now there are other reasons for allowing your staff to work at home too. Staff retention, productivity and efficiency can all be improved by home working, as long as there’s support on hand ...
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Analysis
Feature - Staff smile at dental perks
If you read nothing else, read this ... The shrinking number of NHS dentists means more staff are likely to face high bills for private treatment. Employees highlight help with dental and optical costs as a preferred benefit. Some providers offer dental and optical-only healthcare cash plans. Although ...
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Analysis
Feature - Caring for carers
In summaryWhile there is legislation in place for parents of young children to request flexible working, those with responsibilities such as eldercare are not catered for. In order to retain people who juggle work with caring, employers need to be as supportive as possible, offering options such as flexible working ...
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Analysis
Buyer's guide feature - Income protection
Article in fullProviders insist income protection (IP) is one of the most important employee benefits, but demand still fails to match their claims. Market penetration has hovered around 10% for the last few years and providers are now looking at more innovative ways to increase its appeal. At the top ...
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Analysis
Feature - Benefits for relocated staff
If you read nothing else, read this ... Companies have become more cost conscious when dishing out perks to relocated staff. Families matter, so try and include benefits to help the trailing family with settling in. If you don't you could wreck the assignment. Don't forget practicalities like ...