All Analysis articles – Page 6
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AnalysisHow can employers support working carers through the school holidays?
Need to know:Employees are set to struggle with juggling work and childcare as the annual school summer holidays approach.Employers can help by offering flexible work arrangements, discounted leisure and dining vouchers, and signposting staff to government support.Employers that can be seen to help will benefit from more productive and motivated ...
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AnalysisHow to position group risk benefits to support long-term health issues
Communicating the value of group risk products and the areas in which they protect staff is key.Group risk schemes often offer added services that can further support staff.Early intervention can increase return-to-work rates following a long-term health issue, so it is key to communicate who staff can contact and when.Group ...
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AnalysisWhy musculoskeletal support should be a priority for employers
Repetitive movements, using a computer, poor posture and sitting at an inadequate desk without back and neck support can lead to poor musculoskeletal health and related sickness absences.Acute back pain, for example, becomes chronic after 21 days, which can significantly impact an employee’s physical and mental health, and their ability ...
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AnalysisSupporting staff following a relationship breakdown
Need to know:A relationship breakdown can be traumatic, adversely affecting an employee’s mental health and performance.A wide range of support tools are available including employee assistance programmes (EAPs), concierge services, legal advice and flexible working.Making separation a life event can make it easier for employees to make changes to benefits ...
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AnalysisWhat is the current state of play with pensions dashboards?
Need to know:The Department for Work and Pensions announced a delay to the delivery of the pensions dashboard programme in March 2023.Employers should use this additional time to make sure they have their data up-to-date, in order and correct.Employers should also consider their communications and resources; once the dashboard project ...
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AnalysisWhat can the UK learn from childcare policies around the world?
Childcare in other developed nations is typically subsidised and invested in by governments to a greater extent than it is in the UK.Looking at childcare provision in other countries, greater investment from government can bring down overall costs for employers to offer working parents more support.Some UK organisations have taken ...
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AnalysisWhat financial wellbeing support should be offered around salary advance schemes?
It is important that salary advance schemes are explained properly so that staff fully understand how these operate and the costs involved.Many scheme providers will include financial education and guidance on how best to benefit from the scheme.Having access to data and monitoring usage each month can help identify if ...
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AnalysisHow to ensure a mental wellbeing strategy delivers on its promises
Employers need to recognise that mental health support is a shared responsibility which needs to be a genuine priority, underpinned by a clear strategy that both understands and addresses causes and contributors.Tangible benefits, services, policies and practices that support employees are essential to ensure that mental wellbeing is part of ...
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AnalysisHow have pension freedoms impacted retirement planning?
Need to know:Increasing education about pensions is key to helping employees make the right decisions about accessing their pension savings early.The ability to access pension funds early could prompt changes to the way that pension providers invest for their members.New initiatives, such as the Living Pension, provide an opportunity for ...
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AnalysisHow can a benefits proposition support different faiths in the workplace?
Need to know:Employers need to think about ensuring workers from all faiths can thrive if they want to engage and retain talent.Measures that could help might include flexible leave policies for religious festivals, prayer rooms and tolerant dress codes.Benefits professionals will need to ensure they offer suitable pension investments and ...
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AnalysisWhat impact has the pandemic and economic crisis had on pay gaps?
The UK government suspended pay gap reporting in 2019/20 due to the pandemic and delayed enforcement for 2020/21, giving organisations an additional six months to publish their data.Those in insecure work, such as zero hours contracts and temporary employment, suffered greater falls in earnings and hours during the pandemic than ...
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AnalysisHow to support the wellbeing of mental health first aiders
In order to be able to effectively support someone with their mental health, mental health first aiders (MHFA) need to ensure they are protecting their own wellbeing and not pouring from an empty cup.An essential part of the MHFA training should be a clear understanding of the role and its ...
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AnalysisHow can employers support parents with babies that need neonatal care?
Need to know:The Neonatal Care (Leave and Pay) Bill will allow parents with babies needing neonatal care to take up to 12 weeks paid leave.The Employer with Heart charter is awarded to organisations that have extra provisions in place for employees with babies who are born prematurely.Support such as an ...
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AnalysisHow to implement flexible pension policies
Flexible pension policies can help employees shore up short-term financial wellbeing, while still saving for the future.In difficult periods, the ability to flexibly drop or pause pension contributions could be invaluable.Flexible policies should be combined with effective communication and education to ensure staff understand the impact of their choices.The word ...
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AnalysisTeam versus individual recognition in the time of hybrid working
Team and individual recognition schemes may follow some of the same guidelines, but there are key differences when it comes to implementing these successfully.Employers must consider what forms of team and individual recognition work for their culture, and understand how this is changing during the rise of hybrid working.Connectivity and ...
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AnalysisWhat role do share schemes play in the current economic climate?
While share schemes may not solve immediate financial worries, they can help boost long-term financial stability.Aligning staff with shareholders can improve motivation and engagement, reducing absence and turnover at a time when talent is at a premium.Proper communication of both the negatives and positives will help ensure staff get the ...
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AnalysisBuyer’s guide to car salary sacrifice schemes
Car salary sacrifice arrangements remain a popular employee benefit; in its January 2023 Leasing Outlook, the British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association (BVRLA) found a 20.5% year-on-year increase in company cars funded through salary sacrifice to quarter three in 2022.What are car salary sacrifice schemes?A car salary sacrifice scheme allows ...
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AnalysisWhat are the benefits of educating employees around pensions investments?
Need to know:There are plenty of benefits to getting employees engaged with their pensions investments, but employers should to be clear about what behaviour they want to encourage.Investments can be made meaningful by using layman's terms to explain the funds, and what they mean for employees.Bringing environmental, social, and corporate ...
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AnalysisHow is the cost-of-living crisis affecting what employees want from their benefits packages?
The cost-of-living crisis has employees demanding pay rises in line with inflation, but many employers are unable to afford this long-term.Benefits that support financial wellbeing and education, including day-to-day budgeting and discounts, can help pay stretch further without raising pay.Employers should focus on practices that are sustainable and work for ...
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AnalysisHow can employers help staff avoid burnout while managing productivity?
Burnout symptoms include increased frustration and irritability, indifference towards work, being withdrawn and tearful, higher levels of absence, and less inclination to learn and develop.Having regular conversations about mental health with employees, understanding more about the reasons behind burnout, and highlighting what support is available, is key.A workforce with stronger ...