All articles by Debbie Lovewell-Tuck – Page 60
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Analysis
Get a little bit more from group income protection
In a push to increase take up, group income protection schemes are commonly being bundled with additional healthcare cover, but Debbie Lovewell questions whether the extras really add valueEmployers have historically focused on cost when buying group income protection as there has been little differentiation between providers' various product offerings. ...
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Article
Pre-Budget report: Government clamps down on pensions tax avoidance
Employers will no longer be able to circumvent tax rules for large contributions to an occupational pension scheme by routing them through another company, under measures announced in the pre-Budget report.Organisations which make contributions to a registered pension scheme generally receive relief for this against their taxable profits. This is ...
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Article
Pre-Budget report: Consultation launched on benefits-in-kind tax
The government is to launch a consultation on how best to collect tax on benefits in kind and expenses through payroll in November, which would remove the need for a separate end-of-year process.This will include a consultation on removing the £8,500 a year threshold at which most benefits in kind ...
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Case Studies
Employer Profile: Vodafone
Vodafone operates in the cut-throat telecoms sector and as it broadens its range of services, it needs more flexibility around perks, says Debbie LovewellThe mobile phone industry is a hotbed of competition. Consumers now face an almost daily barrage of information on cost-saving deals or the latest handsets as retailers ...
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Analysis
Get a better idea of ad hoc bonuses
Ad hoc bonus schemes that reward staff for ideas or business solutions are not widespread, but if employers want to implement one they must think about scheme design, says Debbie Lovewell.We've all encountered or heard of managers who, faced with the prospect of motivating a team to complete a project ...
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Article
Product in focus: Wellbeing services
A vast new array of wellness products are coming to market, principally designed to help staff before they become sick, says Debbie LovewellIncreasing awareness of health and wellbeing issues among the UK population has led to the development of a new side to the healthcare benefits industry. Employers are no ...
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Case Studies
Employer profile: Hewlett-Packard
Hewlett-Packard needs to remain competitive in a fast-moving industry so applies flexibility within its global total reward strategy, says Debbie LovewellHewlett-Packard (HP) and Shrek may not seem like the most likely pairing, yet, it is the former’s technology that enabled the third installment of the movie series to be brought ...
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Analysis
Are employers pushing staff to increase pension contributions?
With many employees still failing to save enough for retirement, particularly in contract-based pension plans, employers are often tasked with encouraging higher staff contributions says Debbie LovewellIt's a simple fact: a significant number of employees are not saving enough to adequately fund their retirement. Unfortunately, the solution is not simple. ...
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Article
Product in focus: Long service awards
Acknowledging long service can be a cornerstone of reward practice, but changing demographics and career paths has altered the nature of schemes, says Debbie LovewellLong service awards are designed to recognise an employee’s loyalty and service to an organisation. Traditionally, these have often taken the form of a gold watch ...
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Article
Societe Generale rolls out global reward statements across 35 countries
Societe Generale has rolled out total reward statements to employees in 35 countries in a bid to demonstrate the value of the investment bank's reward package and to make it stand out as an employer of choice.The roll out, which began in the Asia Pacific region on 11 May and ...
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Article
Vodafone offers financial support to staff affected by floods
Vodafone is offering one-off interest-free loans of up to £5,000 to employees who have been seriously affected by the recent floods.The mobile phone giant is based in Newbury, Berkshire, which suffered from flooding along with the surrounding areas where a number of its staff live.The short-term loans are intended to ...
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Article
McDonald's staff purchase discounted bikes
Employees at McDonald's have bought more than 650 bikes through its cycle discounts scheme, which closed last month.Staff were able to purchase discounted bicycles and accessories for themselves, as well as for family and friends through the 'On your bike' scheme which was open for two months from 1 May.Approximately ...
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Article
CBI warns of inequalities in compensation
Companies must do more to address the increasing inequalities between the highest and lowest earners in order to avoid a potential political back lash against free market policies, according to Richard Lambert, director general of the CBI.Speaking in London yesterday on 'Business in society and the new political landscape', Lambert ...
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Article
Emap relaunches flexible benefits with free allowances and overhauls pension
Emap is to overhaul its benefits package by relaunching its flexible benefits scheme with free allowances for staff at the same time as moving to a contract-based pension from a trust-based defined contribution (DC) scheme.The changes, which come alongside Emap's plans to move its flex year into line with the ...
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Case Studies
Employer Profile: Barclays
Financial services firm Barclays invests in perks to help staff give back to the community, says Debbie LovewellFor many, helping a charity is as simple as dropping several coins into a collecting tin or buying the Big Issue. While the idea of being more actively involved in charitable causes may ...
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Article
Summit news: HR must build up network to contribute to business strategy
HR should be networked into a business if it is to play a key role in contributing to business strategy.Speaking in the closing session of the Employee Benefits Summit in Jerez, Peter Reilly, director of research and consultancy at the Institute of Employment Studies, said: “You need to be networked ...
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Article
Summit news: Employers should not rush total reward
Employers should not feel forced into implementing total reward until they are sure that their organisation is truly ready.This was the over-riding message from the panel debate on ‘Measuring the impact of total reward’ on the second day of the Employee Benefits Summit in Jerez. Debra Corey, director of compensation ...
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Article
Summit news: Employers should tailor total reward to fit
Employers should avoid striving to adhere to best practice around total reward strategies, and instead look at the best fit for the concept to their organisation.Speaking in the opening session on day two of the Employee Benefits Summit in Jerez, Michael Armstrong, author of A handbook of employee reward, warned ...
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Article
Summit news: Talented staff are making extra demands
Talented staff are increasingly making demands for extra benefits, yet employers are being warned that reward strategies aimed at the retention of these employees can divide the workforce.Speaking during a panel debate on Strategies for recruiting, managing and retaining talent at the Employee Benefits Summit, held in Jerez, Spain, David ...