All articles by Ian Silvera
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Analysis
Motivational sporting events to follow in 2014
In fact, more than one-third (34%) of delegates at the Employee Benefits Summit in 2012 offered themed events for staff during the games.If you read nothing else, read this…An employee motivation scheme can be themed around a major national or international event, such as the Winter Olympics.A scheme should have ...
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Analysis
Top luxury company car models with low carbon dioxide emissions
If you read nothing else, read this:Tax breaks are encouraging employers to offer low-emission cars in their fleets.Luxury car makers are producing models that fulful green requirements.It is important for employers to consider a car’s whole-life costs.Demand for electric cars remains low, but is expected to rise.But carbon dioxide (C02) ...
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Case Studies
LEBC stages early in order to fully understand auto-enrolment
LEBC auto-enrolled 40 employees in its pension scheme on 1 July and so far just one has opted out. It introduced the People’s Pension from B&CE for auto-enrolment purposes, which it offers alongside its existing group personal pension plan (GPP).Glynn Jones, divisional director at LEBC, says: “We have gained experience ...
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AnalysisAuto-enrolment tips for smaller employers from larger firms
If you read nothing else, read this…Employers should be realistic about their auto-enrolment budget.Planning ahead can help avoid potential problems.Postponement can give smaller employers breathing space.More than half (55%) of employers that responded to Employee Benefits/Capita Pensions Research 2013 and have auto-enrolled their workforce recommend that smaller employers start planning ...
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Article
Consultation on bankers' bonuses launched
The European Banking Authority (EBA) launched a consultation in July on the instruments that banks can use to satisfy the standards of its bankers’ bonus cap legislation.The EBA’s draft Regulatory Technical Standards, which includes the requirement for banks to pay 50% of variable remuneration in non-cash instruments, is expected to ...
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Opinion
Peter Murphy: Landmark ruling for DB schemes and sponsor
The ruling by the Supreme Court in the Nortel and Lehman versus The Pensions Regulator (TPR) case has been hailed as a landmark decision with significant consequences for lenders and the restructuring community. But is it as important for trustees of defined benefit (DB) pension schemes and their sponsors? At ...
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Opinion
Malcolm McLean: Younger staff should pay more attention to pensions
Worrying what their financial standing might be in 40 or 50 years’ time is not something you would have thought would trouble most young people unduly.Although one recent poll did suggest there is a growing anxiety among some in their 20s about possible income shortfalls and healthcare problems for their ...
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Article
HR4UK launches tax-paid reward scheme
HR4UK has introduced a tax and national insurance-paid employee reward scheme to its Employment Handbook system.The Rewards voucher cheque scheme is designed to enable employers to provide their staff with motivational incentives with the basic rate tax already paid, removing the typical associated paperwork or follow-on tax bill, plus the ...
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Article
Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious
Something for the weekend…Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No…it’s a nanny.Etihad Airways has launched an in-flight flying nanny childcare assistance programme for families.The airline has partnered with Norland College, a training centre for nannies worldwide, to deliver a specialist childcare training programme for 500 cabin crew.The flying ...
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Article
Government announces TUPE change proposal
The government has announced proposed changes to the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations (TUPE) rules.The move comes in response to a consultation on TUPE regulations earlier this year.The government has confirmed that:Employers will be able to renegotiate terms and conditions provided for in collective agreements one year after ...
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Article
1.4m more employees earn below the living wage
The number of people who earn below the living wage has risen by 14%, from 3.4 million in 2009 to 4.8 million, according to a new report by the Resolution Foundation.The Low Pay Britain 2013 report, which is based on official statistics and analysis, also revealed that:The living wage was ...
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Article
Friends Life launches social network tool
Friends Life has launched a social network employee benefits tool.Called E-community, the new interactive online employee benefits portal has been designed to create an e-community for employees enrolled in a Friends Life pension scheme, to enable them to gain a better understanding of their retirement savings options, as well as ...
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Article
Hertfordshire Council to launch benefits portal
Exclusive: Hertfordshire County Council is to move its benefits offering onto an online portal on 9 September 2013.The move is part of a re-branding exercise designed to make its benefits package more accessible to all employees.The Herts Rewards scheme, provided by Asperity Employee Benefits, will initially be available through the ...
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Article
Employee benefits consultants not always offered perks
More than a third (35%) of employee benefit consultants are not offered an employee benefits package by their own employers, according to research by MetLife Employee Benefits.Its research, which surveyed 121 benefits consultants in January 2013 also found that 33% of respondents are offered employee benefits in addition to an ...
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Article
Kodak pension plan finalises acquisitions
The UK Kodak Pension Plan (KPP) has completed its acquisition of the Kodak Personalised Imaging and Document Imaging businesses.KPP acquired the organisations from Eastman Kodak Company and subsequently created a new organisation, Kodak Alaris.The new company will focus on strategic, ongoing investments for these organisations.The move follows KPP filing the ...
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Article
Private sector pay sees bonus bump
The report said: “It is plausible that the underlying private sector pay growth has remained close to 1% since the start of the year.”The MPC expected any increases during the rest of 2013 to be down to deferred bonuses.This data was reflected in a separate report by the Office for ...
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Opinion
Richard Fleet: High auto-enrolment contributions disadvantagous
I refer to your article Calculating the cost of auto-enrolment (August 2013).The summary opines that: “An investment is being made, so employers should make sure that there is value in that investment by communicating with, and educating, employees.”I have to take issue with this. There is no question of this ...
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Article
The top 10 most visited stories on Employee Benefits this month
Man City FC to launch recognition programmeCalculating the cost of auto-enrolmentRecommendations published on benefits tax rulesHSBC implements new all-employee benefits strategyTPR investigating 89 employers for auto-enrolment non-complianceHolidays wreak havoc among employeesFirst auto-enrollers less likely to wait for staging dateRoyal Mail reduces DB pension liabilitiesLondon Overground launches online voluntary benefits planIn-house ...
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Article
InterContinental Hotels chain completes £440m pension buy-out
InterContinental Hotels has completed a £440-million buy out for the Intercontinental Hotels UK Pension Plan.The deal means that the benefits payable to the defined benefit (DB) pension plan’s 3,000 members, including any missing beneficiaries that emerge in the future, have been insured by Rothesay Life.The move means the plan’s members ...
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Article
Camden and Islington NHS aims for payroll savings
Camden and Islington NHS Foundation Trust has appointed a new payroll and pension services provider, through which it is on track to deliver savings of 55% on the cost of its payroll provision.The trust has awarded Equiniti ICS a five-year contract to provide fully managed services to the organisation’s defined ...