All Analysis articles – Page 94
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Analysis
Pensions roundtable: Make sure staff see the value of pensions
Employers and staff both need to see the true value of perks, says Matthew CraigIf employers are to get the full value from investing in pensions and benefits, staff have to appreciate their reward package, particularly the value it offers compared with obtaining the perks privately.If not, benefits spend may ...
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Analysis
Obesity is a heavy responsibility
If you read nothing else, read this…Over 20% of the UK population is classified as clinically obese.Obesity can lead to conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease and musculoskeletal problems.Addressing obesity and weight issues can lead to a reduction in sickness absence levels for employers and may result ...
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Analysis
Fresh growth for share incentive plans
If you read nothing else, read this...Share incentive plans (Sips) celebrate their tenth anniversary next month.If staff hold shares in a Sip and stay with their employer for five years, they will not incur tax or NI on the value of the shares.Although Sips offer, arguably, one of the most ...
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Analysis
Recognition of employees working remotely
If you read nothing else, read this...Poor communication, physical distance from the employer’s main location and a tendency to be overlooked by managers can lead to a drop in motivation for remotely-located staff.Employees based away from the main workplace may feel detached, and one way to combat this is through ...
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Analysis
Pensions roundtable: Savings culture needed in workforce
Encouraging a savings culture among employees will boost interest in pensions, says Matthew CraigEasy access to credit, boosted by advertising and today's culture of instant gratification, has led many people to run up significant debts.According to the study Financial wellbeing in the workplace, published by the Institute for Employment Studies ...
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Analysis
DC pensions need personal communication
If you read nothing else, read this...Increasing emphasis on face-to-face communication could be part of a wider trend among employers to be more actively involved in the governance of their contract-based defined contribution pension schemes.Employers may have overestimated the effectiveness of online communication; staff do not seem to rate it ...
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Analysis
Pensions roundtable: Sponsor's comment: Effective employee engagement can create a win-win situation
Everyone gains when staff are engaged with their benefits, says Ann Flynn, head of marketing communications, corporate pensions at Scottish WidowsThe recession is still at the forefront of all our minds. With low pay rises and little or no bonus for many, workers are feeling the pinch. Employers are under ...
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Analysis
Tax changes spur high earners to reconsider pensions
Tax changes for high earners will affect their pension plans and have sparked a search for more tax-efficient investments, says Sarah ColesAccording to the Institute for Fiscal Studies, the UK now owes 53.8% of its national income. So it is hardly surprising the former Labour government announced big income tax ...
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Analysis
How to calculate the savings from salary sacrifice
Potential savings from offering flexible benefits via salary sacrifice can be hard to calculate, says Jenny KeefeOnce employers have decided to set up a flexible benefits scheme using tax-efficient perks offered via salary sacrifice to fund the plan, they might think working out the potential savings is easy.Big savings can ...
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Analysis
Pensions roundtable: Sound business reasons to offer a good pension scheme
A good pension can attract talented staff and enhance an employer's reputation, says Matthew CraigIt is a truism to say people are the most important element in most modern businesses. Phrases such as "our people are our greatest asset" are heard countless times in the corporate world.It therefore follows that ...
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Analysis
KFC keeps staff recognition and bonuses on the menu
KFC’s culture of staff recognition and bonuses is helping to dispel some myths about the fast food sector as a rewarding career option, says Ben JonesThe fast food industry has not, historically, been seen as the most attractive place to build a career, particularly for those starting at the bottom ...
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Analysis
Charitable benefits are a good motivator
Charitable perks can do wonders for employee engagement and will enhance an employer’s image as a caring organisation, says Jennifer PatersonApart from their main functions of attracting, engaging and retaining staff, benefits can also be used to support an organisation’s wider strategies, such as corporate social responsibility (CSR). Here, staff ...
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Analysis
E.On focuses energy on unifying benefits package
E.On’s benefits team have been solving the puzzle of drawing together a cohesive perks package for a disparate workforce, says Sarah ColesNo one visits the employee benefits team at energy firm E.On without being given a benefits cube: a seemingly simple block bearing details of the benefits on offer, which ...
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Analysis
Employee feedback shapes flexible and voluntary benefits
If you read nothing else, read this…Giving staff input into what voluntary or flexible benefits they would like to receive can boost staff engagement and take-up.Employers can source this data using surveys, focus groups or conjoint analysis.Staff should be kept informed if employers then find they are unable to introduce ...
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Analysis
Special report 2010: Contract-based pensions governance
Interview with: Victoria Nye, chair of the Investment Governance Group sub-group for defined contribution pensionsCo-ordinated approach needed for defined contribution scheme governancePre-retirement priorities for defined contribution scheme membersMake sure defined contribution default funds are dependable
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Analysis
Health cover for employees working in danger spots overseas
If you read nothing else, read this...Staff may be sent to work on short-term assignments in dangerous locations for many reasons.It is worth checking out what cover is available from an employer's private medical insurance (PMI) policies, but business travel insurance may be the best bet for most short-term assignments.International ...
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Analysis
Dental benefits: insurance or cash plans?
If you read nothing else, read this...Dental insurance plans and dental cover offered through healthcare cash plans each have their pros and cons for staff.Basic offerings of all dental plans include: routine check-ups and treatment, accident and injury, and cover accessing NHS and private treatment.Some providers offer added-value services on ...
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Analysis
Do one-off incentive awards for selected staff boost motivation?
One-off incentive awards can have mixed results for overall staff motivation, says Jennifer PatersonMany reward budgets have been cut during the economic downturn, so employers have had to be creative in finding ways to show key staff they are appreciated. With pay freezes in place and a ban on bonuses, ...
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Analysis
The importance of measuring the success of benefits
If you read nothing else, read this…Identifying measurables of success can be tricky, but there are a number of advantages for employers in measuring the success of their benefits package.Statistics that can be used to determine the success of a package include: benefits take-up, engagement, absence levels and the national ...
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Analysis
Pre-retirement priorities for contract-based pension scheme members
As DC scheme members approach retirement age, key actions are needed to ensure they will receive the future income they require, says Matthew CraigHow a contract-based defined contribution (DC) pension scheme helps its members as they approach retirement is a critical test of its quality. This is because members need ...