All Analysis articles – Page 139
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Analysis
Reducing jargon in benefits communication
In summaryWhilst using technical terms and abbreviations when conversing with your colleagues or likeminded professionals is fine, if you try to use the same terms in communications with staff you’re likely to come unstuck. A communication document full of terms they don’t understand is a fast way to make them ...
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Analysis
The benefits of outsourcing
In summaryOutsourcing benefits sometimes gets a bad rap, with the mere mention raising fears of redundancies. However, outsourcing certain benefits can make HR life much easier, reducing the time needed for admin tasks and allowing more room for strategic thought. Each organisation's needs will differ, so examine the business case ...
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Analysis
Profile on Ladbrokes' benefits package
In summaryFor sports enthusiasts a job at Ladbrokes is probably the Holy Grail, so by offering benefits that tap into that enthusiasm the company is onto a winner. Discounted football tickets and even a stake in a racehorse are often available to staff, alongside more conventional voluntary benefits, pension scheme ...
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Analysis
Feature - The dangers of offering salary sacrifice in flexible benefits
In summaryFor some, salary sacrificing for flex seems a little too good to be true, with warnings abound of the government eventually closing this 'loophole' which reduces tax and NI liabilities. This has led to fears of becoming reliant on the tax break and then losing it. Allowing staff to ...
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Analysis
Financial Advice supplement 2005 - Feature: Tax break - The Chancellor's time well spent
Points to remember As of 14 December 2004, employers have been able to provide employees with access to up to £150-worth of pensions advice each year, tax free. If that amount is exceeded, then the whole amount becomes subject to tax. Advice on other financial services, ...
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Analysis
New tax rules for childcare vouchers
Staff must get childcarers registered as soon as possible or risk losing the tax break, says Jenny KeefeArticle in fullSimple maths suggests that, with the average yearly cost of a full-time nursery place being £7,000, some working parents can struggle to make the sums add up. Yet just one-in-ten employers ...
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Analysis
Feature - Is free fuel the best option for your staff?
Heavy taxes mean free fuel is not always financially beneficial for employees, but calculating who to offer it to can be a tricky business, says Nicola SmithIf you read nothing else, read this ...Look at each employee's case on an individual basis - one size doesn't fit all.Hold regular reviews ...
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Analysis
Feature - Helping staff to get healthy
As the nation's obsession with obesity grows, Jenny Keefe talks up the benefits behind slim and healthy staffCase study: United BiscuitsArticle in fullIn recent months as Britons upwrapped their chips, and sank into their sofas to catch a few hours of telly, they must have seen the screaming headlines of ...
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Analysis
Feature - Encouraging staff to make pension contributions
Employees may be reluctant to pay into a pension scheme, but their contribution is vital if they are to save enough to keep them during retirement, says Debbie LovewellIf you read nothing else, read this ... To maximise employees' pension pots, both employer and employee contributions are necessary. Focused communication ...
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Analysis
Communicating benefits through line managers
With the popularity of flat hierarchies, the right communications pathways are crucial for front-line managers, says Alison ColemanCase study: Transport for LondonArticle in fullFor any internal workplace communication process to work, an organisation must have all of its line managers on board. This is especially true in the case of ...
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Analysis
Benefits and employee retention
Managing performance is vital if you've created great pensions and perks to stop your workforce bolting, says Peter WhiteCase study: The Football Association, Yahoo!Article in fullWhy are you introducing that splendid new benefits scheme?" asks the man with the quest for knowledge. "To aid recruitment and retention," replies the benefits ...
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Analysis
Feature - Benefits in America
In the US, defined benefit plans have been closing to new members for the best part of two decades, as firms push 401k defined contribution plans, says Jenny KeefeIf you read nothing else, read this ...The most popular pension in the US is the defined contribution 401k plan.Defined benefit plans ...
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Analysis
Feature - Pros and cons of the newest absence management scheme
Employee absence is endemic and is costing British industry nearly £600 per worker per year, but using medical services to patrol staff can backfire, says Jenny KeefeIf you read nothing else, read this ... The newest type of absence management scheme involves staff reporting illness to occupational health nurses who ...
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Analysis
Motivation supplement 2003: Update
Book staff's themed rewards Employees at Penguin are not just motivated by a love of books. Instead, the company uses opportunities arising from its business activities to create a varied and innovative programme, in many instances bringing its titles to life. The programme operates on two main principles: matching benefits ...
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Analysis
Motivation supplement 2003: Recognition Schemes - Valuing the power of praise and reward
Competing for staff in a tight recruitment market means employee recognition schemes have become more elaborate as companies vie to put together the most attractive employment package. But sometimes a simple approach is best and, used properly, words can be a powerful motivational tool. Although we might not always like ...
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Analysis
Trustees' guide to investment strategy - Spring 2003: Comment
A recent survey has shown that many trustees feel they need more training on strategic asset allocation and investment manager selection. Respondents also felt they don't understand the different approaches to investment. Our twice-yearly guide to investment strategy is for those part-time trustees who take their role seriously but do ...
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Analysis
Trustees' guide to investment strategy supplement - Spring 2003: News & Views
Government needs yet more consultation Much needed pensions simplification is being delayed until next year after the government said that it is carrying out market research on its proposed reforms. A qualitative survey of the green paper proposals on pensions reform, conducted by financial services market research specialist Consensus Research, ...
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Analysis
Trustees' guide to investment strategy - Spring 2003: Juggling flexibility with market returns
The stock market's current dire performance has concentrated the minds of many trustees on the risks they and their funds may run. Ultimately, it is their responsibility to decide how to mitigate these investment risks, without missing out too much on the upturn - whenever it may come. No-one should ...
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Analysis
Trustees' guide to investment strategy supplement - Spring 2003: Corporate Governance - Pay attention to excesses
Why should pension funds which are suffering shrinking equity investments allow the chief executives of the companies they invest in to get richer and richer? This is an easy question to answer for most trustees, who this year have been given the chance to check the top executive pay following ...
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Analysis
Trustees' guide to investment strategy supplement - Spring 2003: Hedge Funds - Peering over the hedge
Many trustees' suspicion at the complex and speculative activities of hedge funds has faded in the face of disastrous equity returns. Three consecutive years of negative equity returns between 2000 and 2002 have left some trustees, in the words of National Association of Pension Funds investment council director Ken Ayers, ...