All articles by Debi O'Donovan – Page 3
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ArticleDebi O’Donovan: Data will change the benefits landscape
But there is still a way to go, with even bigger changes predicted by the industry’s forward-thinkers.Speaking to leading benefits directors at the Employee Benefits Summit last month, it was clear that most had not yet felt the impact of not being able to pay for pensions via commission in ...
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AnalysisWhy hard data on employee benefits has become so crucial
If you read nothing else, read this…Cost is driving HR to use data to justify benefits decisions.In the future, readily accessible data will change the way benefits programmes are designed.Data is everywhere, but a balance must be struck between drowning in data and not having enough and therefore making blind ...
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Case StudiesUnilever builds global staff benefits data tool
Peter Newhouse, head of global reward at Unilever, says: “It is probably the biggest database of its kind anywhere. This is ‘always-on’ feedback.”It is now used in more than 100 countries, covering about 15,000 management staff. Unilever is currently extending it to white-collar non-management staff, with about 44,000 people now ...
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ArticleDOD’s blog: Is tax legislation hampering workplace pensions?
Yesterday the Labour party put forward proposals to lower the earnings threshold at which staff will be auto-enrolled into pensions to £5,772. In this way, more low-paid staff would be brought into workplace pensions savings.This follows tens of thousands of employees earning less than £10,000 a year finding that they ...
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Article
Event: How technology in the workplace and advised market will develop
This event, run by Employee Benefits’ sister brand The Platforum, showcases the latest in technology and digital developments, which would be of interest to all those building corporate platforms and portals aimed at employees via the workplace, including those suppliers offering flexible benefits and workplace savings platforms.The agenda will cover:Many ...
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Article
DOD’s blog: Have you had an 'aha' moment lately?
And last week’s annual get-together was no different.Everyone will have a different list of takeaways, but I was struck by these two points from our speakers:Firstly, Sarah Purnell, head UK reward and benefits at Tesco, said: “Heightened awareness and adjusted expectations will be here for quite some time.”She was referring ...
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Analysis
Employee Benefits Summit 2014 - speaker slides
Are organisations finally championing health and wellbeing in their business?Wendy Cartwright, former HR director, Olympic Delivery AuthorityDOWNLOAD SLIDESThe outlook for reward and benefits as the economy improvesSarah Purnell, head of UK reward and benefits, TescoDOWNLOAD SLIDESDC pension default investments – meeting the needs of membersMartin Flavell, human resources director, FinmeccanicaDOWNLOAD ...
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ArticleDebi O’Donovan: How far does CSR extend?
Everyone has their own way to check whether what organisations say about themselves holds true.For example, any corporate entity can paint itself green and say it is environmentally friendly. But if its actions do not match its words, it will soon be found out. Probably by its own staff first.So ...
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Article
Employee Benefits Connect well received in US
Speakers from BlackRock, Hallmark Cards and Loews Corporation presented case studies during the day-long conference.The programme was praised by delegates.Mary Beth Giroux, senior benefits administrator at Coach, said: “All the information was very helpful, and it was very thought-provoking.“There was a lot of information that I took away from it, ...
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ArticleEmployee Benefits magazine – May 2014
Corporate social responsibility has become a vital part of business strategy. Part of a good CSR is also treating your own staff well, as well as considering the impact of your reward practices on CSR. Read Footprint of responsibility, page 30.Employees want to use mobile technology and apps to access ...
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ArticleTesco and Finmeccanica to speak at Employee Benefits Summit
Speakers include Sarah Purnell, head of UK reward and benefits at Tesco, and Martin Flavell, human resources director at Finmeccanica.In recent years, both these organisations have won Employee Benefits Awards for their benefits strategies.They will have the opportunity to discuss the latest trends and upcoming challenges affecting employers and employees, ...
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ArticleAuto-enrolment has minor impact on flexible benefits plans
However, 17% did revise their communications around flexible benefits to take auto-enrolment into account.About one-tenth of respondents did have to make adjustments to either their processes (14%) and/or their design (9%).But no respondents removed, or even considered removing, their flexible benefits plan because of auto-enrolment.Read more of the Employee Benefits/Towers ...
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ArticleDOD’s blog: Should HR get more involved in politics?
On Wednesday I stood for several hours in a queue on Trafalgar Square, London, in order to cast my vote in the South African elections (us overseas nationals get to do it a week in advance of our compatriots back home). The passion, dedication and persistence of people from around ...
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Article28% used flex plan to manage auto-enrolment
However, nearly half of employers that offer flexible benefits did not use their flex plan to manage the implementation of auto-enrolment.Of those that still need to auto-enrol staff, 22% plan to manage the process separately from their flexible benefits plan.Read more of the Employee Benefits Flexible benefits research 2014
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ArticleDebi O'Donovan: Tax breaks still drive benefits behaviour
Tax breaks drive behaviour in our world. Although there is plenty of information out there about these benefits, trying to draw them together takes some legwork (or fingerwork on online search engines). Hopefully, our special report on tax-efficient benefits will give you the pointers you need.As we go to press, ...
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ArticleDOD’s blog: Do benefits offerings fit with core values?
Last week, I had the privilege of running our first Employee Benefits Connect event in New York.As I listened to the fabulous line up of speakers from leading US companies, it struck me how many mentioned the need to link benefits strategies with their company’s core values.While this isn’t an ...
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ArticleDOD’s blog: What employers are doing about the changes to pensions
Over the past few weeks, I have had several industry people ask me how employers are reacting to the announcements made in the Budget last month, in particular, in relation to the withdrawal since 27 March of the need for retiring staff to buy an annuity.There seems to be the ...
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Analysis
What staff need to know about capital gains tax on employee share plans
If you read nothing else, read this…Many large employee share plan payouts are expected this year.Good employers will ensure staff are informed about the possible tax implications.Gains of more than £11,000 can be mitigated in three key ways: transfer to a spouse, to an individual savings account or to a ...
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Article
Employee Benefits Live will take place in London on 24-25 September 2014
Employee Benefits Live is the largest dedicated reward and benefits event in Europe.Contact our sales team to find out about becoming an exhibitor or a sponsor-speaker.Brought to the industry by leading publication Employee Benefits, Employee Benefits Live offers an extensive editorial-driven conference and exhibition over two days.It provides an invaluable ...
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ArticleCongratulations to the 2014 Hot 100 benefits managers
These are people who, during 2013, were featured in our magazine or on our website for the great work they are doing with their organisations’ benefits packages; or people who have spoken at our events or taken part in our roundtable discussions; and those who have judged or won gongs ...