All articles by Jennifer Paterson – Page 125

  • Article

    Government opens consultation on bank bonuses

    2011-12-07T10:23:50Z

    The government has introduced a consultation aimed at tackling unacceptable bank bonuses by improving pay transparency within large banks.The proposals would extend transparency arrangements at the largest UK banks and the UK banking operations of large foreign banks by requiring the eight highest-paid non-board executives to disclose their remuneration arrangements.Mark ...

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    Morgan McKinley research: Expectations still high in the City for bonuses

    2011-12-07T10:15:27Z

    Two-thirds (67%) of employees in the financial services sector still expect to receive a bonus in the 2011/12 round compared to 88% last year, according to research by Morgan McKinley.The Bonus expectations survey found that 14% think their bonus will be higher than last year, while 32% expect it to ...

  • Article

    North East Ambulance Service reduces absence with physiotherapy scheme

    2011-12-06T10:52:00Z

    North East Ambulance Service (NEAS) has reduced its long-term sickness absence since it rolled out a physiotherapy scheme for staff.Because musculoskeletal disorders are an occupational hazard for ambulance staff, NEAS investigated the options available to minimise the impact of these injuries.The organisation launched a pilot scheme with physiotherapy provider Physio ...

  • Article

    Siemens adds cancer checks to flexible benefits scheme

    2011-12-06T10:50:25Z

    Siemens has added breast exams and skin checks to its flexible benefits scheme, My Choice, for 2012, as part of a wider approach to health and wellbeing.Isy Raza, My Choice specialist at Siemens, said: “As a company, we are aware of the rising incidence of breast and skin cancer, and ...

  • Article

    OECD report: Gap between high and low earners continues to grow

    2011-12-06T10:45:52Z

    The gap between the highest and lowest paid has reached its highest level in over 30 years, according to a report by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).The report, Divided we stand: why inequality keeps rising, found that the average income of the richest 10% is now about ...

  • Article

    Southern Housing Group appoints Capita Hartshead to manage DB pension scheme

    2011-12-05T10:24:29Z

    Housing association Southern Housing Group has appointed Capita Hartshead to manage its defined benefit (DB) pension scheme, which has 527 members.The five-year contract will include actuarial services, consultancy, pension scheme secretariat services, investment consulting, scheme administration, and pensioner payroll and fund accounting.Alene Wilton, corporate services director at Southern Housing Group, ...

  • Article

    Mercer research: Deficit of FTSE 350 defined benefit pension schemes rises

    2011-12-05T10:24:10Z

    The deficit of FTSE 350 defined benefit (DB) pension schemes has risen £20 billion over past month, according to research by Mercer. The Pensions risk survey found that the aggregate FTSE 350 DB pension scheme deficit stood at £80 billion at 30 November 2011, compared to £60 billion at 31 ...

  • Article

    Domestic and General to save £42,000 by offering flu jabs to staff

    2011-12-05T10:21:03Z

    Domestic and General is aiming to save over £42,000 this winter by offering flu vaccinations to its employees.Research from its HR team showed that between 1 September 2010 and 31 March 2011, a total of 400 employees were absent due to cold and flu-related illnesses.This represented 5,292 lost working hours ...

  • Article

    High Court rules index switch for pensions is lawful

    2011-12-02T11:55:00Z

    The High Court has rejected a claim by public sector unions that the government’s decision to switch from the retail prices index (RPI) to the consumer prices index (CPI) for future pension increases was unlawful.The judicial hearing began on 25 October 2011 to challenge the switch, which was announced by ...

  • Article

    London Overground Rail Operations enhances staff pay during the Olympics

    2011-12-02T10:10:00Z

    London Overground Rail Operations is enhancing its rate of pay by 25% for employees that work shifts during the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.The deal will see 85% (almost 1,000) of its staff, including front-line station, conductor, train care, fleet maintenance and revenue staff, see a pay increase of ...

  • Article

    Trader Media Group extends payroll services provision to staff in Ireland

    2011-12-02T09:55:00Z

    Trader Media Group has extended its payroll services for its employees in Ireland.The publisher of automotive titles has 1,700 employees, 1,400 of which are in the UK.It rolled out the service, which is provided by Ceridian UK, for its UK staff in 2010.Joanne Walker, human resources director at the Trader ...

  • Article

    BP, BT, M&S and Tesco among winners at IFS Proshare awards

    2011-12-01T11:09:58Z

    BP, BT, Henderson Global Investors, Marks and Spencer, and Tesco were among the big winners of the 2011 IFS Proshare Annual Awards.John Collison, head of employee share ownership at IFS Proshare, said: “The quality of this year's nominations was truly impressive in almost every category which made this IFS Proshare ...

  • Article

    Female staff win equal pay case against Birmingham City Council

    2011-12-01T11:00:31Z

    A group of 174 female former employees of Birmingham City Council have won a Court of Appeal decision on equal pay claims.The employees, who worked as cleaners, cooks, catering and care staff, were aiming to recover compensation for bonuses they claimed they were excluded from. The bonuses had handed out ...

  • Article

    Heath Lambert and Gallagher Risk and Reward re-brand as Gallagher Employee Benefits

    2011-12-01T10:57:18Z

    Heath Lambert Employee Benefits and Gallagher Risk and Reward have re-branded as Gallagher Employee Benefits (GEB).GEB is now the UK employee benefits brand of Arthur J Gallagher International, the insurance, employee benefits and risk management adviser.The re-branded firm will focus on delivering advice and solutions across a range of areas ...

  • Article

    Close Brothers research: Most UK employers unsure of auto-enrolment staging date

    2011-12-01T10:51:00Z

    More than three-quarters (77%) of UK organisations do not know when they have to begin auto-enrolling their employees into a qualifying pension scheme, according to research by the financial education division of Close Brothers.The research, which was conducted among 2,000 employers across the UK, found that 12% of organisations have ...

  • Article

    EXCLUSIVE: Trowers and Hamlins introduces financial education workshops

    2011-12-01T00:00:01Z

    Law firm Trowers and Hamlins is introducing a series of financial education workshops called ‘Making the most of your money’ as part of a three-tiered approach to ensure its 500 employees are looking after their finances.The first step was a series of presentations in October by Friends Life around the ...

  • Article

    Sainsbury’s supports staff on Carers Rights Day

    2011-12-01T00:00:01Z

    Sainsbury’s has joined forces with Carers UK to support employees who care for an ill or disabled loved one.Because 2 December is Carers Rights Day, the supermarket chain is distributing Carers UK’s advice guide, which offers information on juggling work and care.Sainsbury’s has also sponsored 50,000 copies of the guide, ...

  • Article

    Canada Life research: A third of employees want better work-life balance

    2011-12-01T00:00:01Z

    More than a third (37%) of employees would like a better work-life balance, according to research by Canada Life.The Canada Life research into employee absence, which surveyed 1,226 people in August 2011, asked what incentives could be offered to prevent employees taking time off work.For most respondents, flexible working was ...

  • Article

    Johnson Fleming awarded Pension Quality Mark for its own scheme

    2011-12-01T00:00:01Z

    Johnson Fleming has been awarded a Pension Quality Mark (PQM) Plus for its group personal pension (GPP) plan.Awarded by the National Association of Pension Funds (NAPF), the PQM recognises DC pension schemes with contributions of at least 15%, with a minimum employer contribution of 10%.The group pensions, risk and healthcare ...

  • Article

    Aviva partners Emirates Insurance Company for expatriate PMI offer

    2011-12-01T00:00:01Z

    Aviva UK Health has set up an arrangement with Abu Dhabi-based Emirates Insurance Company to provide expatriates in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) with compliant private medical insurance (PMI) products.The partnership means that employers with staff based in the UAE will now be offered one of four bespoke international PMI ...