All Analysis articles – Page 99
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Analysis
Effective communication around flexible benefits
Attention-grabbing communication is an essential tool to make flex schemes work, says Alison ColemanThe successful introduction of a flexible benefits scheme relies on the right communications strategy, which can prove elusive. Leaflets and handbooks packed with complicated, jargon-laden explanations of the scheme, what it includes and how it works, may ...
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Analysis
Voluntary benefits report 2009: Getting local businesses involved in staff discount schemes
Discount schemes are popular with staff, but careful negotiations are needed to get local businesses on board, says Georgina FullerDos and don’ts of setting up a local discount scheme:Do approach local businesses directly and be clear and concise about what you would like to offer.Do make sure you ask staff ...
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Analysis
Choosing a flexible benefits platform
Employers should not be seduced by flashy graphics when choosing a flex platform, but they must ensure it performs the functions they want efficiently, says Jenny Keefe.A flexible benefits website with sleek looks is easy to fall in love with. But employers need to do a little homework before rushing ...
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Analysis
Tackling depression in the workplace
Employers must take steps to check and help their workforce's mental wellbeing, says Nicola Sullivan.If you read nothing else, read this...The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) recommends employers conduct stress audits. A basic stress audit involves asking staff, either throughout an organisation or in a particular department, to answer key ...
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Analysis
How employers can cut reward costs without reducing the benefits on offer
Providing the same benefits at a lower cost can simply be a case of making changes behind the scenes, says Tom WashingtonHow employers can save money:- Employers are exploiting a competitive healthcare and group risk market to negotiate better premium pricing.- Longer-term healthcare and group risk contracts are also becoming ...
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Analysis
Special report 2009: Voluntary benefits and tax-efficient plans
Find out how to integrate voluntary benefits into a total reward provision; how IBM offers voluntary benefits to its 20,000 UK staff; what less common salary sacrifice perks employers can offer, and how to get local businesses involved in employee discount schemes.Integrating voluntary benefits into total rewardVoluntary benefits at IBMLess ...
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Analysis
How annual management charges can reduce pensions savings
Annual management charges can have a significant impact on the growth of investments if a pension scheme is set up on a commission basis, so employers may need some hard negotiations, says Matthew CraigIf you read nothing else, read this...Employees face higher annual management charges (AMCs) for group pension schemes ...
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Analysis
Mitigating fleet driver risk
Cutbacks during the recession have put company car drivers under pressure, possibly increasing risk levels, says Sarah ColesIf you read nothing else, read this...- The risks attached to driving for work increase if drivers are working harder, and must be mitigated by policies and training.- Structured risk management programmes can ...
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Analysis
Childcare arrangements for working parents – what benefits employers can offer
Tax and NI relief changes to childcare vouchers are on the way, but employer-provided childcare benefits remain a vital employee benefit, says Peta HodgeThe childcare market suffered a significant blow last month when prime minister Gordon Brown announced the tax and national insurance (NI) breaks on childcare vouchers would be ...
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Analysis
News analysis: Childcare crisis looms
The government's decision to withdraw tax and national insurance relief on childcare vouchers could have major repercussions, says Nicola SullivanThe future of employers' childcare provision for staff has been cast into doubt after the government announced that the tax exemption on childcare vouchers would be abolished.Many employers are concerned they ...
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Analysis
Using driver to improve fleet efficiency
Driver training can make company car users safer and save their employers money, says Nic PatonAccording to statistics published by the Department of Transport, almost one in three UK road accidents involves a company vehicle, while 200 deaths or serious injuries a week involve someone driving for work.In January this ...
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Analysis
How to run a company car fleet tax-efficiently
Recent tax legislation has opened up new potential savings for company car fleets, says Nic PatonCase study: DeloitteIt may well be, to quote Benjamin Franklin, that nothing is certain in life except death and taxes. But for company car fleet managers at least, recent legislation means that, with careful planning ...
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Analysis
The most environmentally-friendly models of company car
Manufacturers are working overtime to increase the range of green cars available, says Ashley MartinCompany fleets are increasing the use of green cars, with business travel proving the most welcoming arena for take-up of new, more efficient models and alternative technologies.Many manufacturers are racing to bring out new low-emission petrol ...
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Analysis
Tailoring employee share scheme particpation to suit workforce demographics
Share schemes have had a rough time, and employers must tailor participation to suit their own workforce, says Laverne HadawayIf you read nothing else, read this...Stock market falls have shown just how risky share schemes can be for staff, so they must beware of putting too much of their savings ...
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Analysis
Using voluntary benefits to motivate staff
Discounts offered through a voluntary benefits scheme can help keep staff motivated when budgets are tight, says Victoria FurnessMoney may be the root of all evil, but it is also widely recognised as a big driver of employee performance and motivation. So in the current economic climate, with job cuts ...
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Analysis
The pensions buyout market
The pensions buyout market is starting to recover after a sharp decline, but employers are keen to find the right de-risking options, says Nicola SullivanThe pensions buyout market is in a state of flux. It reached its peak as the economy headed towards recession, gobbling up the risk associated with ...
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Analysis
Commission versus base pay
Finding the right balance between basic pay and commission is crucial to rewarding salespeople, says Tom WashingtonIf you have ever had dealings with a persuasive, perhaps forceful, salesperson, the chances are they were thinking more about the money they stood to earn from the sale than finding the right deal ...
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Analysis
Offering private medical insurance through a healthcare trust
Switching private medical insurance cover to a healthcare trust can save money for large organisations, says Debbie LovewellIf you read nothing else, read this…Healthcare trusts are most suited to larger organisations that provide private medical insurance to a number of employees.Trusts are typically set up as a subsidiary of an ...
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Analysis
What changes to the state second pension will mean for employers
Impending changes to the state second pension will have consequences for employees at all levels, says Sarah ColesIf you read nothing else, read this...At the moment, the state second pension (S2P) is linked to earnings, providing a compulsory earnings-linked pension for everyone in work.From 2012, it will gradually switch to ...
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Analysis
News analysis: Merger and acquisition activity on the rise
Merger and acquisition activity appears to be on the increase again, and benefits professionals face a major task when organisations unite, says Ben JonesWith the possible takeover of Cadbury’s by US food giant Kraft and a proposed merger of Orange and T-Mobile hitting the headlines recently, mergers and acquisitions (M&A) ...