The top 10 most-read stories on www.employeebenefits.co.uk between 8 August and 19 September 2016 were:
- Government consults on tax-efficient benefits
HM Revenue and Customs launched a consultation to examine the potential impact on employers and employees should the government change the way the benefits code applies when a benefit in kind is provided in conjunction with a salary sacrifice or flexible benefits scheme. bit.ly/2clp1oN
2. ITN appoints Sian Williams first mental health champion
Following an internal mental health awareness week, newsreader Sian Williams was appointed ITN’s first mental health champion. bit.ly/2cVI5ca
3. Marks and Spencer lobbied by MPs over planned pay changes
Labour MP Siobhain McDonagh led a demonstration against retailer Marks and Spencer in response to proposed changes in pay, including the removal of Sunday premiums and the introduction of standardised bank holiday payments. bit.ly/2bKBSvD
4. Nestle agrees pay and pensions deal for employees
Nestle has confirmed a pay and pensions deal for 7,600 UK employees with trade unions GMB and Unite. As well as changes to the organisation’s defined benefit (DB) pension scheme, the deal also includes a 3% pay rise for production workers for 2016 and 2017. bit.ly/2cVKkML
5. EXCLUSIVE: Centrica launches triage service to combat absence
Centrica has introduced My Health phone service, which enables staff to access the most appropriate medical pathway to treat underlying conditions that may cause absences. bit.ly/2d4IuX0
6. Pizza motivates staff more than money
Dan Ariely, a professor at Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business, found that offering a voucher for a free pizza motivates employees more than a £20 cash bonus. bit.ly/2csFffh
7. 63% of employers say managing employee stress and mental health is top priority
The 2016 EMEA health survey by Aon Employee Benefits also found that 93% of UK respondents feel that they are responsible for influencing employee health and changing staff behaviours. bit.ly/2bbvj7H
8. EXCLUSIVE: 49% cite flexible working as most coveted future benefit
Aside from financial reward, flexi-time/work-life balance (49%), team-building experience (46%), and a work-from-home scheme (43%) are the benefits respondents would most like to receive by 2025, according to research by Grass Roots. bit.ly/2bEyBNL
9. Prosys offers Pokemon Go-inspired remuneration to attract staff
Danish IT organisation Prosys offered new starters a monthly wage partly comprising of the virtual Pokemon Go currency PokeCoins in a bid to attract younger individuals for a sales team role. bit.ly/2dg56Y0
10. Marks and Spencer enhances pay and pensions deal
Marks and Spencer has enhanced the pay deal offered to staff, including the extension of top up payments and pension cash supplements for affected employees. bit.ly/2da81lJ