All Healthcare and wellbeing articles – Page 235
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ArticleEmployer-paid PMI policies decline by 14,000
There were 3.94 million private medical insurance (PMI) policies at the start of 2015, compared to 3.97 million a year earlier, according to a study by market intelligence firm LaingBuisson.Its Health cover UK market report also found that employer-paid PMI policies fell by around 14,000 over 2014.The research also found:The ...
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ArticleHertfordshire County Council introduces health screening
EXCLUSIVE: Hertfordshire County Council has introduced salary sacrifice health screening for its 8,500 employees.The scheme was launched in June 2015 and is available through the council’s current reward package, Herts Rewards.Offered as a voluntary employee benefit through Bluecrest Wellness, the health screening will enable employees to access a range of ...
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ArticleAxa gains approval for Simplyhealth acquisition
The UK Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has granted approval for Axa UK’s acquisition of Simplyhealth’s private medical insurance (PMI) business.The transaction, which was first announced in May 2015, is aimed at strengthening Axa’s presence in the UK healthcare market.Following the sale of its PMI business, Simplyhealth will continue to ...
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ArticleInsurance premium tax to rise to 9.5%
Summer Budget 2015: The insurance premium tax rate will rise from 6% to 9.5%. The increase, which was revealed by Chancellor George Osborne in his Budget announcement yesterday (8 July), will come into force in November 2015.Osborne said: “Britain’s insurance premium tax is well below tax rates in many other ...
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Article43% say fit notes do not aid return to work
Almost half (43%) of respondents believe that the government’s fit note is not helping staff to return to work, according to research by manufacturers’ organisation EEF and Jelf Employee Benefits.The study, which surveyed 345 employers, also found that less than a quarter (22%) of respondents think that the fit note ...
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ArticleEAT introduces 18-month limit on holiday pay carry over
The Employment Appeal Tribunal (EAT) has ruled that employees can only carry over unused holiday due to sickness absence for a maximum of 18 months. The EAT also found that absent members of staff do not need to prove that illness was the reason for not taking the holiday.In the ...
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ArticleWB Power Services implements new eyecare benefit
EXCLUSIVE: WB Power Services has introduced eyecare e-vouchers for its 41 members of staff.The supplier of temporary and back-up power solutions already provides safety eyewear for its engineers, and will be offering optical care e-vouchers as an additional extra.This new benefit, provided by Specsavers Corporate Eyecare, will be available to ...
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AnalysisHow to align workplace health with the Public Health Responsibility Deal
If you read nothing else, read this…The Public Health Responsibility Deal was introduced in 2013 to tackle key health problems.It requires employers to commit to promote principles in their workplaces that tackle these issues.Employers can draw guidance from the principles and align their own health and wellbeing strategy to the ...
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ArticleBuyer's guide to health screening 2015
Health screening comprises a range of assessments and tests that can help identify health risks at an early stage. They can help to keep a workforce fit and healthy by allowing employers and employees to take steps to reduce any health problems that are identified.Identifying health risks or issues can ...
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ArticleJust 10% offer mental health training
Only one in 10 (10%) of employers offer mental health training to managers, according to research by Jelf Employee Benefits and manufacturers’ organisation EEF.The study, which surveyed 345 employers, also found that 80% of organisations do not measure the cost of absence.The research also found:Overall sickness absence levels remain low ...
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ArticleGroup risk report 2015
Smooth transitionHow do employers help staff return to work following cancer treatment?Group risk benefits in numbersA round up of the latest facts and figures around group risk benefits.Jim Lister: How almost all group risk legal problems can be avoidedAppropriate contractual drafting must be ensured.Where should group risk benefits sit in ...
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AnalysisTop tips for maximising the return on investment in dental benefits
If you read nothing else, read this…Employers can boost dental benefits take-up by highlighting the importance of good oral health to staff.Regular communication campaigns promoting the benefit should be complemented by leaflets, posters, webinars and benefits fairs.Onsite or near-site dental treatment can help to limit an employee’s time out of ...
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Article34% concerned about work-related stress
Just over a third (34%) of respondents are concerned about work-related stress, according to research by health and safety consultancy Arinite.Its study of 1,755 UK adults between the ages of 25 and 64 also found that a third are worried about the possibility of suffering from physical or mental health ...
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AnalysisWestfield Health: How to secure investment for employee health and wellbeing initiatives
Key pointsA powerful and convincing business case is key to winning management buy-in for health and wellbeing initiatives.Key decision-makers should be communicated with on an ongoing basis.Communication strategies should highlight the numerous long-term benefits that a health and wellbeing strategy can bring to a business.The business benefits of providing staff ...
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AnalysisDina Themistocleous: How to future-proof a workplace health strategy
Key points The focus of workplace health initiatives is shifting from being treatment-focused to promoting and maintaining good health.Contemporary prevention practice in occupational health tends to be limited to addressing lifestyle issues, which are unlikely to affect the headline causes of work-related ill-health.Most workplace strategies are assessed in the form ...
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ArticleOscar Mayer improves healthcare benefits for staff
EXCLUSIVE: Oscar Mayer has revamped its healthcare benefits for more than 2,000 employees.The food production organisation took the decision to introduce five new options as part of its 15-year benefits anniversary and a review of its My Millie benefits scheme.The new benefits were added to its voluntary health cash plan, ...
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ArticleSimplyhealth sells PMI business to Axa PPP Healthcare
Axa PPP Healthcare is to acquire Simplyhealth’s private medical insurance (PMI) business, subject to approval by the appropriate authorities. The sale by Simplyhealth follows a strategic review of the organisation’s activities, informed by an 18-month analysis of the marketplace and an insight project involving interviews with 5,000 people and 250 ...
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AnalysisAndy Bell: How to integrate mental health support into a workplace strategy
Key points Awareness of workplace mental health conditions is low, with work often seen as a threat to our health and something to avoid for people with mental health problems.But good work is beneficial for both mental and physical health. Supporting mental health at work is no longer an optional ...
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Article76% of employers unaware of Fit for Work service
EXCLUSIVE: More than three-quarters (76%) of employers are unaware of the Department for Work and Pensions’ (DWP) Fit for Work service, according to research by YouGov and medical insurance provider Cigna.The DWP Fit For Work awareness research, which surveyed 689 employer respondents who are senior decision makers in UK businesses, ...
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ArticleBuyers' guide to private medical insurance
The facts:What is private medical insurance (PMI)?PMI is a health insurance that covers employees for the treatment of curable, short-term medical conditions or accidents. Cover can include consultations, diagnostic tests and in-patient and outpatient procedures.What are its origins?The roots of PMI can be traced back to the late 19th century, ...