All articles by Jennifer Paterson – Page 15
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ArticleBank of America Merrill Lynch aids staff weight loss
EXCLUSIVE: Bank of America Merrill Lynch (BAML) employees have lost a total of 74.6 kilograms (kg) since the bank launched a weight management programme in January.The programme, ‘Weight a Minute’, aims to encourage employees to proactively review their eating habits, increase fitness activity and to make these changes sustainable.During the ...
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ArticleWorkplace walking campaign launches
National charities Living Streets and Mind have teamed up to help employers keep their workforce well and motivated during Walk to Work Week, which runs from 12 to 16 May.The campaign aims to encourage organisations to help employees build some walking into their day to benefit their physical and mental ...
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ArticleGovernment consults on changes from abolition of DB contracting out
The government has launched a consultation on proposed changes resulting from the abolition of defined benefit contracting-out of the additional state pension for people in workplace pension schemes.The government confirmed the change in the 2013 Budget.Defined benefit contracting-out will end when the current two-tiered system of basis and additional state ...
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ArticlePaula Evans uses consultancy experience in Fujitsu role
“I joined to be the UK pensions manager, and over that time I have had responsibility for various things, such as global mobility,” she says.Before Evans moved to an in-house role, she was a pensions consultant for several consultancies, including Hewitt Associates (now Aon Hewitt), HSBC Actuaries and Consultants, Hymans ...
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ArticleDavid Brackwell focuses on wellbeing at Fujitsu
“The role I initially came into was managing various health benefits, such as private medical insurance and occupational health, and health and safety,” he says.A couple of years ago, Brackwell began to look after wellbeing, a remit that has since been broadened to include diversity and inclusion.“The wellbeing programme and ...
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ArticleGovernment to amend definition of money purchase for pensions
The government has published proposed final amendments to the definition of money purchase pension schemes.The Department for Work and Pensions launched a consultation in October 2013 to attempt to clarify the definition of money purchase included in section 29 of the Pensions Act 2011.The consultation followed the Supreme Court’s July ...
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ArticleTop 15 stories on the website last month
1. Employee Benefits Awards 2014 shortlist announced 2. Budget 2014: More flexibility to be allowed when taking DC pension savings 3. Employer-supported childcare vouchers to go 4. Court rules IBM breached employer duties in pensions restructure 5. Government increases cap on tax-free childcare 6. Employee Benefits Hot 100 2014 7. ...
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Case StudiesFujitsu UK and Ireland tailors benefits to staff needs
Paula Evans, head of pensions and benefits, UK and Ireland at Fujitsu, says: “Our leadership team gives us really clear direction on how we achieve through our employees. We have a clear focus around employees, customers and results. If we are delivering in those spaces, and if we are looking ...
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ArticleBacardi and Samsung shortlisted for pensions award
Bacardi and Samsung are among the employers that have been shortlisted for the award ‘Best pensions communications – small employer’ at the Employee Benefits Awards 2014.For this award, the judges were looking for a successful communications strategy, which helped to boost employee knowledge, and understanding, of pensions and the need ...
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ArticleSome occupations saving into pensions for the first time
Thousands of UK employees in jobs where it is not traditional to save into a pension scheme, including sales assistants, technicians and dinner ladies, are building up retirement savings for the first time, according to research by the Office for National Statistics (ONS).Its latest Annual survey of hours and earnings ...
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Article60% incurred no extra costs from RTI
Almost two-thirds (60%) of respondents have not incurred any additional costs as a result of complying with the real-time information (RTI) programme, according to research by the Chartered Institute of Payroll Professionals (CIPP).The CIPP Payslip statistics comparison report found that 33% of respondents had incurred additional costs, while 7% did ...
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AnalysisTop tips for introducing on-site fitness classes
If you read nothing else, read this…Employers should determine employee interest before introducing fitness classes in the workplace.A suitable location with adequate capacity for class attendees is key. Health and safety should be the primary consideration for employers’ class programme strategies.However, setting up an on-site fitness or wellbeing class is ...
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ArticleEmployers focus on improving staff engagement
The Benefits Research 2014, which was conducted in March 2014 among 256 respondents, found this was the case for just under three-quarters (72%) of respondents.Engagement has topped the list of issues shaping respondents’ benefits strategies since 2011, when 71% of respondents said this was the case, followed by 73% in ...
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ArticleRegisters of Scotland enhances eyecare benefits
Registers of Scotland has enhanced the eyecare benefits it provides to staff.The land and property register has launched an e-voucher system, provided by Specsavers Corporate Eyecare, which includes an eye test, £65 towards glasses, if required, and £35-worth of store vouchers.The system allows employees to order and redeem vouchers electronically. ...
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OpinionJonny Gifford: The role of corporate social responsibility in business
It’s about ethical, values-based leadership, human rights, fair wages (at both ends of the spectrum), governance, transparency and diversity.In the short term, it can be more profitable to disregard ethics. But there are strong business benefits in rooting HR and benefits strategies in CSR, even though they can be harder ...
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ArticleTui UK and Ireland launches health challenge
EXCLUSIVE: Tui UK and Ireland has launched a walking challenge to promote fitness and wellbeing among its employees.The walking challenge, called Step To It, was launched at the end of April, and is aligned with National Walking Month, which runs from 6 May to 2 June.Carolyn Parker, HR business partner ...
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ArticleGlobal employee engagement continues to rise
Global employee engagement levels increased to 61% in 2013, up from 60% in 2012 and 58% in 2011, according to research by Aon Hewitt.Its 2014 Trends in global employee engagement report, which represents the perspectives of seven million employees across more than 6,000 organisations in 155 countries, found the regions ...
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ArticleAmazon to fund education for UK employees
Amazon has launched an initiative to offer its UK employees up to £8,000 towards furthering their education.The Amazon Career Choice programme, which will fund up to £2,000 per year over four years, pre-pays 95% of tuition and associated fees for nationally recognised courses.The initiative is intended to make it easier ...
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ArticleManchester City FC shortlisted for health benefits
Manchester City Football Club and London Overground are among the employers that have been shortlisted for the award ‘Best healthcare and wellbeing benefits – small employer’ at the Employee Benefits Awards 2014.This award showcases employers that have put in place a strategy that helps promote health and wellbeing in the ...
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ArticleShared parental leave is opportunity to enhance family-friendly policies
Almost two-thirds (59%) of respondents see the government’s shared parental leave policy as an opportunity to enhance the family-friendly policies they offer to staff, according to research by law firm Hogan Lovells.Under the new plans, which take effect from April 2015, parents will be able to share 12 months of ...