All Healthcare and wellbeing articles – Page 241
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Case StudiesGSK improves workstations to tackle musculoskeletal disorders
At most of GlaxoSmithKline’s (GSK) UK sites, illness and injuries caused by musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) have historically been one of the main causes of sickness absence of more than seven days. Tackling MSDs is, therefore, a longstanding strategic priority because it helps us to maintain a healthy and happy workforce, ...
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ArticleCMA changes to private healthcare could cut PMI costs
Measures introduced in the Competition and Markets Authority’s (CMA) final report into increasing competition in the private healthcare market could result in lower private medical insurance (PMI) premiums and new PMI product design.Its Private healthcare market investigation final report has announced measures including a crackdown on benefits and incentive schemes ...
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ArticleCMA report will change private healthcare market
The Competition and Markets Authority’s (CMA) Private healthcare market investigation final report, published in April, announced a number of measures to address a lack of competition and consumer detriment issues in the market.Joanne Anderson, senior healthcare consultant at Towers Watson, said: “We expect the changes to stimulate further developments in ...
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ArticleImproving staff health can contribute to business performance
There are clear business benefits to supporting employee health and wellbeing, according to a report by the Confederation of British Industry (CBI).Its report, Getting better: workplace health as a business issue, published with healthcare provider Medicash, outlines how improving employee health can contribute to better business performance through lower absence, ...
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ArticleGary Brewer: Should the government give employers tax breaks on group PMI?
In the current economic climate, any practical assistance is welcome and the government should be applauded for such an intervention if it helps provide respite for hard-pressed organisations.At William Grant and Sons, we already have a group private medical insurance (PMI) scheme in place extending across all employees and, in ...
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ArticleDavid Heaton: Should the government give employers tax breaks on group PMI?
The logic of the new tax-free spend of £500 on treatment recommended by the forthcoming Health and Work Service (HWS) is that it encourages employers to get sick employees back to work more quickly, so extending the relief to all employer-provided private medical insurance (PMI), up to a reasonable value, ...
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ArticleLucy Wright: Should the government give employers tax breaks on group PMI?
Many employers offer private medical insurance (PMI) in their employee benefits package, which is popular with staff. Traditionally, this has often been regarded as a benefit solely for the convenience of the employee and, as such, attracts tax.However, with the increasing importance of attendance management on operational performance and the ...
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ArticlePMI and dental most common flexible benefits
Private medical insurance for employees’ partners and dependants and dental insurance are the most commonly offered benefits via a flexible benefits scheme, according to The Benefits Research 2014, which surveyed 256 respondents in March 2014.These are followed closely by buying or selling holiday, health screening and critical illness insurance.The top ...
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ArticleHealth screening and GPPs most popular new benefits
Health screening and group personal pension (GPP) plans saw the biggest growth as new benefits introduced by employers over the past year, according to The Benefits Research 2014, which surveyed 256 respondents in March 2014.Just under half (44%) of respondents introduced new benefits to their organisation in the past 12 ...
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AnalysisHow dental benefits can reduce employees' time away from work
An employer can offer dental cover via a health cash plan or dental insurance. Helping staff to maintain a good oral health routine may lessen the likelihood of them needing emergency treatment and taking extra time off work.Roger Matthews, chief dental officer at Denplan, says: “There is a recordable loss ...
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Article45% consider mental ill health a major cause of long-term absence
Almost half (45%) of respondents consider stress and mental ill health a major cause of long-term absence among their employees, according to research by industry body Group Risk Development (Grid).Its Group risk employer research study, which surveyed 500 UK employers, found that 25% of employer respondents also considered stress and ...
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Article20% take time off work due to stress
One in five (20%) respondents have taken time off work due to a stress-related illness in the past 12 months, according to research by MetLife Employee Benefits.Its research, which surveyed 2,134 respondents aged 18 and above, found that one in 10 respondents have taken more than six days off work ...
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ArticleEmployers support government's Health and Work Service
More than half (58%) of respondents intend to build referrals to the government’s incoming Health and Work Service (HWS) into their absence management policies, according to research by Jelf Employee Benefits.Its research, which surveyed 124 employers, found that just 7% of respondents do not intend to make referrals, while a ...
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Express Newspapers cuts PMI costs
Express Newspapers has reduced its private medical insurance (PMI) premiums by 10%.The publishing firm, which has titles including the Daily Express, the Sunday Express, the Daily Star and the Daily Star on Sunday, appointed PMI Health Group to broker its PMI scheme for its 600 employees. One of its sister ...
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AnalysisBuyer’s guide to private medical insurance
The factsWhat is private medical insurance (PMI)? PMI is health insurance to cover employees for the treatment of curable short-term medical conditions. Cover can include consultations, diagnostic tests and in-patient and out-patient procedures.What are the origins of PMI?The roots of PMI can be traced back to the late 19th century, ...
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Case StudiesCapital One builds enticing employee value proposition
The EVP focuses on benefits in the context of total reward. It covers the standard benefits offered by the organisation, such as private medical insurance, pensions and bikes for work, and also ensures that staff are given details about their working environment, development opportunities and health and wellbeing initiatives.Jill Cunnison, ...
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ArticleHay Group reviews benefits to fund auto-enrolment
EXCLUSIVE: Hay Group has undertaken a full review of its employee benefits to help fund the cost of auto-enrolment.The global management consultancy, which has around 350 employees, reached its auto-enrolment staging date on 1 February 2014.Charlotte Koch (pictured), head of HR at Hay Group, said: “Auto-enrolment allowed us to take ...
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ArticleEmployers see absence rates improve
More than a third (34%) of respondents have seen absence rates improve over the past 12 months, according to research by industry body Group Risk Development (Grid).Its research, which surveyed 500 UK employers, found that only 16% of respondents have seen their absence rates worsen in the past 12 months.It ...
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ArticleStaffordshire council reduces absence
Staffordshire County Council has reduced its absence levels. after introducing a range of initiatives aimed at lowering staff sickness levels.Its latest Achieving excellence quarterly performance report showed that since December 2013, the average number of days lost through sicknesshas falled to 7.06 days per employee. Prior to December, this stood ...
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Article70% lack confidence in staff absence data
One in seven (70%) of respondents are not confident about the accuracy of their employee absence data, according to research by Aon HewittIts Employee Benefits and trends survey, which questioned more than 340 benefits and HR professionals, found that 6% of respondents reported ‘low’ confidence in the system or method ...