All articles by Debbie Lovewell-Tuck – Page 4
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OpinionLovewell's logic: Does Zoom's return to the office really spell the end for remote working?
The hybrid/remote working debate reared its head again this week, following the news that video communications company Zoom has ordered employees back to the office. Stating that it believed a structured hybrid approach to be most effective, the organisation has mandated that employees based within 50 miles (80km) of an ...
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Article77% of SMEs say hybrid working has increased profitability
More than three-quarters (77%) of small- and medium-sized organisations (SMEs) believe adopting flexible-working practices has made their business more profitable, according to research by hybrid-working firm IWG.Its research also found that 74% of respondents said their workforces are happier and more satisfied with their work-life balance, while 63% agreed that ...
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ArticleTribunal rules law firm must pay out on 13 counts of unfair dismissal
An employment tribunal has ruled that a defunct Newcastle-based law firm must pay 13 former employees 90 days’ remuneration for unfair dismissal after failing to give sufficient notice of redundancy ahead of the firm ceasing trading.Short Richardson and Forth closed on 30 September 2022, before entering into voluntary liquidation on ...
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Article84% say employer sick pay support is most important benefit
More than four-fifths (84%) of employees say employer sick pay support is the most important benefit an employer can offer, according to research by financial wellbeing firm Wagestream.Its survey of 2,000 low- and variable-income employees from a sample of 500 employers also found that 83% of front-line workers said they ...
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ArticleStanlow Oil Refinery workers accept 300% bonus pay increase
Construction workers employed at the Stanlow Oil Refinery in Cheshire have secured a 300% increase in bonus pay.The 450 employees operating under the National Agreement for the Engineering Construction Industry, work for several different contractors at the site. Following negotiations, their hourly bonus rate was increased from 80p to £2.37.Workers ...
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ArticleSmith and Nephew completes £260m pensions buy-in
Smith and Nephew UK Pension Fund has completed a £260 million buy-in deal.The transaction with Rothesay, which secures the benefits of 1,885 pensioners and dependants, as well as 2,315 deferred members, is the final transaction securing the fund’s objective of insuring all of its members’ benefits. The fund is sponsored ...
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OpinionLovewell's logic: Do lazy girl jobs have a place in today's workplaces?
It isn’t very often a phrase stops me in my tracks. Over the past few weeks, however, the Tik-Tok trend for “lazy girl jobs” has done just that. Coined by several content creators, the term is used to refer to jobs that are deemed undemanding but well paid. Typically, these ...
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OpinionLovewell's logic: Should the Flexible Working Bill go further?
When the Flexible Working Bill received Royal Assent last week, many commentators, particularly parental rights campaigners, hailed this as a huge step forward.In a nutshell, the new legislation makes several changes to the way flexible working requests will work in practice, including:Giving employees the right to make two flexible working ...
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OpinionLovewell's logic: Are employers meeting employees' ESG expectations?
At a time when the cost-of-living crisis means higher pay is a focus for many employees, it is testament to the ever-increasing focus on sustainability that nearly half (48%) of employees hailing from generation Z say they would consider leaving a job if their employer did not demonstrate action on ...
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OpinionLovewell's logic: It's good to talk
When was the last time you spoke to each member of your team? And how about colleagues from other departments across the business?This week, it was really brought home to me how easy it is to feel that you have been in touch with colleagues and friends, without actually speaking ...
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OpinionLovewell's logic: Celebrating with the best
Today (Friday 23 June) marks one of my favourite events in the Employee Benefits calendar: the Employee Benefits Awards and Summer Party.All year round, we cover some of the fantastic initiatives and strategies employers have put in place for their employees, so relish the chance to celebrate these in person. ...
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OpinionLovewell's logic: Who is caring for unpaid carers?
How many employees in your organisation have unpaid care responsibilities? Between 2010 and 2020, more than 1.9 million people in paid employment became unpaid carers each year, according to Census data. One in seven carers, meanwhile, juggle work and care, according to Carers UK’s report State of caring, published in ...
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OpinionLovewell's logic: Extending support for neonatal care
The birth of a child can be life changing. Having the time to adjust to new family dynamics and get to know their newborn is, therefore, vital for new parents. However, not every pregnancy and birth goes as parents envision.Every year, more than 90,000 babies are cared for in neonatal ...
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OpinionLovewell's logic: Should the office be the default working environment?
The working-from-home debate was reignited this week following Chancellor Jeremy Hunt’s comments that the office should be the default location for workers, unless they have good reason to work from home.Speaking at the British Chambers of Commerce conference, Hunt said that despite the exciting opportunities offered by working from home, ...
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OpinionLovewell's logic: Why dying matters
This week (8-14 May) was Dying Matters Awareness Week. Part of Hospice UK’s Dying Matters campaign, the week was launched with the aim of encouraging people across the country to come together to speak about death, dying and grief in the workplace.According to research by Marie Curie, Respecting and supporting ...
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ArticleConfessions of a benefits manager: Candid cannot swerve company cars
I try to have as little to do with company cars as possible. That is because to get involved in cars is to be in the wrong, and I just hate that. You see in the US, company cars are a super special perk way beyond the reach of an ...
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OpinionLovewell's logic: Is the UK failing on pay despite high minimum rates?
The UK now has some of the highest minimum pay rates in the world, according to a report published by think-tank The Resolution Foundation this week. Its Low pay Britain 2023 report found that, among the world’s rich nations, only France, Korea and New Zealand currently have higher minimum wages, ...
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ArticlePersonnel Today Awards open for entries
The Personnel Today Awards 2023 are now open for entries, as the annual celebration of the very best in HR and learning and development (L&D) launches for its 25th anniversary year.Hosted by our sister brand, Personnel Today, HR and L&D teams, individuals and suppliers are invited to make submissions across ...
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OpinionLovewell's logic: The changing shape of employee wellbeing
When I first entered the world of employee benefits more than 20 years ago, many organisations’ approach to health and wellbeing was markedly different. Back then, the focus was on more traditional healthcare benefits, such as private medical insurance (PMI) and health cash plans. Wellbeing benefits were often viewed as ...
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OpinionLovewell's logic: Will the living pension overcome undersaving?
Herbert Smith Freehills, Citizens UK, Aviva, and Phoenix Group this week became among the first employers to sign up to the new Living Pension Employer standard, launched by the Living Wage Foundation. They were joined by The Good Things Foundation and Wealthify.The living pension is a voluntary savings target of ...