All Analysis articles – Page 98
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Analysis
What Darling's pre-Budget report means for reward
The Chancellor’s pre-Budget report contained a number of measures that will affect reward and benefits. Nicola Sullivan spells out the planned changesChancellor Alistair Darling’s pre-Budget report last month will no doubt be remembered for its measures on bonuses, pensions and public sector pay. But such headline items may have overshadowed ...
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Analysis
Ensuring reward is fair for all staff
Employees accept there may be disparities in reward, but resentment arises if the differences are perceived as unfair, says Jenny KeefeAs prime minister Gordon Brown is fond of pointing out, the British have the principle of fairness as part of their national identity. The trouble is that fairness, in the ...
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Analysis
What can you get in a £1-a-week health cash plan?
With health cash plans costing as little as £1 a week, what do these actually cover? Sally Hamilton reportsIf you read nothing else, read this...A £1-a-week health cash plan can pay out far more than is paid in. Employers can use a cash plan to help reduce absence and meet ...
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Analysis
Incentive schemes bring business benefits
Significant business returns can grow from a carefully thought-out incentive scheme for employees, says Liz MorrellWith the recession hitting employers’ budgets, and pay and recruitment freezes being implemented across the nation, it might seem contradictory to be offering incentives to staff. Mark Childs, director of consultancy Total Reward Solutions, says: ...
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Analysis
The cost to pension plans of longer life expectancy
Employers must contemplate strategies to tackle the risk of longer life expectancies, says Matthew CraigIf you read nothing else, read this...A one-year difference between actual and expected life expectancy can increase scheme costs by just over 3%.Average life expectancy can vary by five or six years between schemes.Longevity swaps are ...
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Analysis
Special report: International Reward
Read our latest supplement on international reward:Interview with Jeremy Hill, chair of industry body IEBACalculating the right reward package for expatriate employeesCommunicating benefits globallyEnsuring pay levels are right for staff posted abroadSponsor's comment: The importance of expatriate healthcare compliance
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Analysis
Interview with Jeremy Hill, chairman of the International Employee Benefits Association
Jeremy Hill, chairman of international industry body IEBA, explains global change is afoot, says Sarah ColesSometimes it seems the only constant in the world of international employee benefits is change: change within the regulations and practices of each country, transformations in the global landscape of employee benefits, and continual reinventions ...
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Analysis
Calculating the right reward package for expatriate employees
Many factors must be taken into account for employers to calculate the right reward package for expatriate employees, says Sam BarrettLower taxes and prices abroad are great for a two-week holiday, but such differences can have serious consequences for employers looking to place staff overseas on assignments. While some expatriates ...
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Analysis
Communicating benefits globally
Communicating benefits across the world raises a number of issues that must be resolved, but the effort is worthwhile for international employers, says Peta HodgeAdopting an international strategy to communicate benefits across all the countries in which an organisation operates has many potential difficulties. A multinational company might be operating ...
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Analysis
Ensuring pay levels are right for staff posted abroad
Detailed research is needed to ensure pay levels are right for staff posted abroad, says Scott BeagrieDetermining pay levels for staff on foreign assignment presents many challenges for HR and reward professionals, particularly when the posting is to an entirely new region or territory for the organisation. They must ensure ...
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Analysis
Economical alternatives to company pool cars
Pool cars can be a costly way to provide staff vehicles and there are better alternatives, says Nic PatonIf you read nothing else, read this...Pool fleet cars need to be in use 50% of the time just to break even.Pay-as-you-go car clubs can be an alternative to pool vehicles, but ...
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Analysis
Traumatic year for reward draws to a close
This has been an eventful year for reward professionals, with economic, legislative and administrative challenges to overcome, says Tom WashingtonIf your year has gone by as fast as it has here at Employee Benefits, then it must have flown by quicker than MPs' expenses receipts through the government's accounts department. ...
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Analysis
Long-term incentive plans are a rewarding alternative
Long-term incentive plans may offer a more prudent method of executive reward, says Tom WashingtonIf you read nothing else, read this... Long-term incentive plans (L-tips) are designed to drive business performance, ultimately producing an increase in shareholder value.The award is based on staff meeting certain performance conditions that prove they ...
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Analysis
Eyecare benefits offer clear advantages
Eyecare perks beyond the legal minimum offer advantages to both employers and staff, says Sally HamiltonIf you read nothing else, read this...Employers are required by law to pay for eye tests for staff who use visual display units (VDUs) and, if required, glasses.Providing above this minimum can have advantages for ...
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Analysis
Rewards for long service boost staff morale
Long service should still be rewarded, says Nicola SullivanWith the notion of a job for life now firmly in the past, employers may wonder whether long-service awards are still relevant. In many cases, organisations may feel they can take a rain check on rewarding long service during a recession because, ...
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Analysis
Implications of early retirement law
Next year’s change to the early retirement age could have major implications, says Ceri JonesIf you read nothing else, read this... For employees to have the right to retire before age 55 after April 2010, an earlier normal retirement age must be written into their contract of employment. A collective ...
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Analysis
The impact of Obama’s healthcare revolution on private medical insurance
The US president’s proposed reforms could have big consequences for employer-provided medical insurance, says Nicola SullivanIf you read nothing else, read this..President Obama’s health reforms are still proposals, but they will impact employers.Employers could be fined for each employee they fail to insure. Organisations with 25 or fewer staff would ...
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Analysis
Voluntary benefits report 2009: Integrating voluntary benefits with total reward
Integrating voluntary benefits into a total reward strategy has advantages for both employers and employees, says Victoria FurnessDiscounted shopping vouchers and critical illness insurance may not seem to have much in common, but increasingly they are cropping up in the same benefits package as employers integrate voluntary benefits into a ...
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Analysis
Motivating staff during the festive season
After a difficult year, the festive season offers an ideal opportunity for employers to reward their workforce, says Nicola SullivanAfter a year spent battling the effects of recession, it would be understandable if employers’ attitudes towards rewarding staff at Christmas had more in common with Ebenezer Scrooge than Father Christmas.But ...
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Analysis
Voluntary benefits report: Less common salary sacrifice perks
A wide variety of perks can be offered via salary sacrifice, and if HMRC’s rules are met, tax and national insurance gains can be substantial, says Tom WashingtonChristmas is just around the corner and it is never easy to choose the perfect gift for loved ones without going over budget. ...