Analysis
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AnalysisAre employers’ eldercare plans meeting staff needs?
This year’s introduction of statutory carer’s leave highlights the needs of employees with caring responsibilities. But while a week’s unpaid leave will help, a wide range of eldercare benefits are now available for employers wanting to do more.
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AnalysisDo employers have a role to play in overcoming the UK childcare crisis?
Employers can offer onsite nurseries, workplace nursery schemes, and subsidised and emergency care provisions to help with childcare.There are a variety of different flexible working options that employers could offer those who are struggling.Support for working parents can help with attraction, retention, skills shortages and diversity, equity and inclusion efforts.The ...
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AnalysisBuyer’s guide to fertility benefits
Credit: bezikus/ShutterstockWhat are fertility benefits?Fertility benefits are wide-ranging and include comprehensive support and treatment for individuals. The benefits cover the key areas of medicines, procedures and assisted conception, such as in vitro fertilisation (IVF) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI).Employers use the services of providers to offer fertility and parenthood-planning care ...
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AnalysisWhat actions can employers take to close the gender pensions gap?
More employers could introduce gender inclusive paid parental leave to prevent and try to close gender pension gaps.The Pensions (Extension of Automatic-Enrolment) (No. 2) Bill will remove the lower earnings limit, enabling more employees to pay into a pension.In order to help close the pensions participation gap, more education on ...
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AnalysisHow to ensure parental leave policies are inclusive
Employers should start by exploring what potential and current employees are looking for in an inclusive parental leave policy.The use of gender inclusive language in parental leave policies helps to avoid primary caregiver assumptions and ensures all employees feel included.Regularly reviewing policies and seeking employee feedback are also important actions ...
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AnalysisWhat will the Flexible Working Act mean for working carers?
From 2024, employees will be able to request flexible working hours and patterns twice in a 12-month period and will not have to explain any potential effect on their employer. Organisations will have to consider all requests and provide a reason before rejection within two months. ...
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AnalysisHow can employers support staff that also have full-time caring responsibilities?
The Carer’s Leave Act will provide employees caring for a dependent with a long-term care need with one week of flexible unpaid leave a year.Flexibility around job positions, hours and locations, as well as promoting this in job adverts, is crucial to help recruitment and retention.Employee assistance programmes, financial assistance ...
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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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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 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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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 can employers support LGBTQ+ employees?
Need to know:In ensuring that they are supporting employees from within the LGBTQ+ community, employers need to talk to and gain feedback from their employees to establish their needs and identify areas where they feel support is lacking.The inclusion of LGBT+-friendly benefits, such as gender transitioning treatment, fertility and parental ...
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AnalysisWhat will the top reward trends be in 2023?
The cost-of-living crisis and looming recession has led to a stronger focus on support which will follow into the new year, with some employers looking at cost-effective options.Due to the struggle for talent and the rising costs of living, pay awards are expected to be higher next year than in ...
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AnalysisWhat role does maternity coaching play in a carer support strategy?
Need to know:Maternity coaching can provide emotional and practical support to make it easier to balance work and parental commitments.Support around return to work is important, especially as 17% of women leave employment completely in the five years after childbirth.Online services, mentoring and buddying can provide coaching support where budgets ...
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AnalysisHow can benefits support new fathers in the workplace?
Employers may want to think about how they can use flexible working to support employees following the birth of a child.One way in which employers can support new fathers is through encouraging open discussion in the workplace to help recognise the challenges that come with being a working parent.Bringing paternity ...
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AnalysisHow can employers compensate for the government’s lack of support for working carers?
Need to know:Implementing a working carers’ policy that details all the support relevant to employees with caring responsibilities can encourage staff to speak openly about their needs.Flexibility is essential, with options including paid and unpaid leave, flexible and part-time hours, sabbaticals and even allowing carers to take their annual leave ...
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AnalysisWhat support can employers give to young adult carers in the workplace?
Need to know:Good communication and open dialogue with young carers is the most effective way of identifying the challenges they face.Offer benefits and support for their career progression and learning opportunities.Employers need to be aware of their legal responsibilities to staff caring for those with disabilities or who need time ...
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AnalysisHow will the 'Great Resignation' change employees' attitudes to employee benefits?
Need to know:The 'Great Resignation' is underway, forcing employers to work even harder to attract and retain staff.Pay is one way but employee benefits and reward packages are another major focus.Flexible working, mental health and social value are all in demand but some are questioning the use of more ‘gimmicky’ ...
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AnalysisHow can employers measure the effectiveness of support for working carers?
Need to know:The pandemic has highlighted the pressures on working carers, and the value of offering workplace support.Paid or unpaid care leave, flexible working or flexitime and having access to private time or space to make calls are among the benefits working carers value the most.Flexibility is key, as is ...
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AnalysisHas the pandemic highlighted the need for more comprehensive eldercare support in workplaces?
Generally, it’s more important to have benefits schemes that match life stages and provide practical resources to match life and family needs.Most employee assistance programme providers offer eldercare support, be that online resources for targeted legal, financial and care services, or just having someone else to talk to.One of the ...