Analysis – Page 4
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AnalysisHow can employers offer more than the minimum level of support for working parents?
If you read nothing else, read this…With different working patterns for parents, a variety of support measures will help recruit and retain valued staff.Shared parental leave and flexible-working policies can help parents balance their work and home life commitments.Parental networks, coaching and online information hubs can provide over and above ...
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AnalysisThe evolution of family-friendly benefits
If you read nothing else, read this…Some employers have integrated shared parental leave regulations into their family-friendly benefits policy.The end of childcare vouchers could cause a decline in workplace support for working parents in some organisations.Employers should have open conversations with staff to find out what benefits would help to ...
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AnalysisHow will the changes to childcare vouchers affect staff?
If you read nothing else, read this…From autumn 2015, working parents will be able to sign up to the childcare scheme, which offers 20% of the cost paid by the government.If they are already in a voucher scheme, employees are able to continue using it for as long as their ...
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AnalysisWhat can employers do to meet the demand for eldercare?
If you read nothing else, read this…Employers and employees appear to be becoming more aware of the importance of eldercare.A number of benefits can help to support staff, such as emergency eldercare.Employers should provide emotional support, flexible working, practical advice and hotlines.This is set to become more of an issue ...
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AnalysisCost considerations around workplace childcare
If you read nothing else, read this…78% of people with dependent children were in employment, so employers need to consider workplace support where required. Cost and implementation time are often cited by employers as reasons why they do no offer their staff childcare support. It is easy for employers to ...
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Analysis
Implications of the October 2015 childcare voucher changes
If you read nothing else, read this…Tax-free childcare will be introduced in October 2015.Working parents who are not in receipt of childcare vouchers at that date will go into the new scheme.The change will have significant tax and cost implications for both employers and working parents if neither prepares for ...
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AnalysisHow flexible working can boost staff wellbeing
If you read nothing else, read this…The right to request flexible working was extended to all UK employees on 30 June 2014.Flexible working options allow staff to be more flexible about managing their health, whether it be controlling the times they take medication, frequent the gym or cycle to work.Flexible ...
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AnalysisWhat employers should consider around flexible-working requests
A 2011 Journal of Child and Family Studies report by Sanders MR, Haslam DM, Calam R, Southwell C and Stallman H, ’Designing effective interventions for working parents: a web-based survey of parents in the UK workforce’ (Journal of Children’s Services, 6, 3, 186-200), found that 85% of parents in employment ...
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Analysis
What is driving demand for eldercare as a workplace benefit?
If you read nothing else read this…The number of people needing care will outstrip the family members able to provide it.Eldercare is the fatest-growing perk in flexible benefits plans.Demand is driven by the UK’s ageing demographic, the growing number of users of health and social care, and the ’sandwich generation’.Not ...
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AnalysisFamily-friendly benefits for the school summer holidays
If you read nothing else, read this…Childcare vouchers are a popular family-friendly benefit that employers offer staff.Flexible working and discount vouchers can be equally valuable.Employers should ensure they do not discriminate against staff without children.But employers can offer considerable support to help them cope, and at relatively little cost.Childcare vouchers ...
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AnalysisWhat makes an organisation a family-friendly employer?
If you read nothing else, read this…Retail or leisure discounts help put money back into families’ pockets.Healthcare benefits, such as private medical insurance and health cash plans, may allow staff to extend cover to family members.Changes to the childcare vouchers scheme and shared parental leave, both coming into force in ...
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AnalysisHow to get the most from emergency childcare spend
If you read nothing else, read this…Employers should carry out research to ascertain what percentage of employees will use emergency childcare and calculate the time and money they can save staff by offering an in-house scheme.The scheme should be communicated properly and made as accessible to employees as possible.Employers could ...
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AnalysisVoluntary benefits for parents pay off
IF YOU READ NOTHING ELSE, READ THIS…Providing family-friendly voluntary benefits helps to retain staff.Parental coaching is a growing trend among employers that are keen to retain their top talent.Childcare vouchers are a popular benefit to support working parents.Childcare has been identified as a key priority for the government over the ...
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AnalysisEmergency childcare can pay off
IF YOU READ NOTHING ELSE, READ THIS…There is no legal obligation for employers to provide emergency childcare to employees.A range of emergency childcare options is available to parents in the workplace, but their suitability depends on the employer’s budgets and the employees’ needs.One of the biggest benefits of operating a ...
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Analysis
Key facts about childcare vouchers
If you read nothing else, read this… Employees can use childcare vouchers for any registered nursery or childminder, as well as after-school and summer clubs, for children up to the age of 16. Vouchers can be refunded, but they cannot be transferred between employers. Both working parents are entitled to ...
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Analysis
News analysis: Who pays for childcare?
Proposals for a new government-funded childcare scheme have fuelled a debate about the future of childcare vouchers.The National Childcare Contribution Scheme (NCCS), suggested in February by the Social Market Foundation (SMF) in its report A better beginning: Easing the cost of childcare, would allow working parents to borrow money from ...
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Analysis
Emergency childcare is worth the investment
If you read nothing else, read this... Emergency childcare gives employees access to nannies, childminders, nurseries and school holiday clubs when their regular childcare arrangements break down. Employers should determine which type of back-up care is best suited to their employee population. The service is effective in protecting productivity, attracting ...
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Analysis
Employees' benefits rights when taking maternity leave
If you read nothing else, read this… By law, employers must continue to provide non-cash benefits throughout an employee’s maternity leave. This includes benefits offered via a salary sacrifice arrangement, even if an employee is not currently earning a salary to sacrifice. Employers must pay full pension contributions during any ...
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Analysis
Benefits can ease mothers back to work
If you read nothing else, read this… Employers can offer a range of perks to entice parents to return to work after a period of parental leave. These benefits include: childcare vouchers and back-up emergency provision; onsite nurseries and discounts at offsite nurseries; ante- and post-natal workshops, sessions or classes; ...