All articles by Jennifer Paterson – Page 172

  • Article

    Atkin and Co launches online pensions tool

    2010-09-03T09:08:59Z

    Atkin and Co have launched a virtual pensions manager and document storage tool called SchemeHub.The web-based programme allows managers and trustees to access scheme documents immediately, review action points from meetings and monitor progress. It also provides assistance to the administration function with email reminders for tasks such as pension ...

  • Article

    More than 100 council chief execs earned over £150,000 last year

    2010-09-03T09:05:23Z

    Around 129 council chief executives in England were paid more than £150,000 per year in 2009/10, according to a study of the most recent published accounts of local councils by public sector union GMBGMB examined the most recent published accounts for 2009/10 for 151 county councils, unitary authorities, London and ...

  • Article

    BBC staff vote to strike over pension changes

    2010-09-02T09:50:46Z

    BBC staff have voted to strike in a row over changes to their pension arrangements.In ballots calling for strike action, which closed at lunchtime on 1 September, more than 90% of the BBC's members of the National Union of Journalists (NUJ), Bectu and Unite supported calls both for strike action ...

  • Article

    Half of UK staff have never reviewed their pension plans

    2010-09-02T09:34:00Z

    Almost half (48%) of UK employees have never reviewed their pension plans, according to annual consumer research by Baring Asset Management.One in five (21%) of respondents have reviewed their pension plans in the last year, with a further 12% unsure of the last time they underwent a review.Of those who ...

  • Article

    Only a quarter of employers feel prepared to manage the risk associated with reward

    2010-09-01T09:00:00Z

    Only a quarter of HR professionals believe their organisation is well prepared to manage the financial risks associated with rewarding staff according to research conducted by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD).The survey CIPD's Managing reward risks: An integrated approach also found that 15% of respondents think that ...

  • Analysis

    Maternity cover under international private medical insurance

    2010-09-01T00:00:01Z

    If you read nothing else, read thisMost international private medical insurance (PMI) plans include maternity cover.Typical offerings in maternity cover include scans, pre-natal and immediate post-natal check-ups, and childbirth.Maternity cover is offered in low-, middle- or high-level packages that cover from £5,000 to £10,000 of the standard costs.Having a baby ...

  • Article

    Magnet renews its fleet contract

    2010-09-01T00:00:01Z

    Kitchen retailer Magnet has renewed its 650-vehicle hire contract with the Leasedrive Velo Group for a further four years.The contract covers its company cars and 40 user-chooser drivers.Lisa Wright, HR director at Magnet, said: "Leasedrive Velo has always provided excellent service levels, pro-active management and continually strives to deliver a ...

  • Article

    One in three working parents struggle with childcare costs

    2010-09-01T00:00:01Z

    More than a third (36%) of working parents have considered staying home because they feel unable to cope with childcare costs.According to a survey by Computershare Voucher Services (CVS), which polled 1,000 working parents, 71% of respondents who use childcare vouchers also spend less than one hour each week planning ...

  • Article

    Imagine Co-operative Childcare rebrands

    2010-09-01T00:00:01Z

    Imagine Co-operative Childcare will re-brand at the end of September under the name Co-operative Employee Benefits, broadening its product range beyond childcare vouchers.The first new product it will introduce to market will be bikes for work but the provider is also looking to introduce payroll giving, retail discounts and green ...

  • Article

    University of Chester switches childcare voucher providers

    2010-09-01T00:00:01Z

    The University of Chester has transferred its childcare voucher scheme from Computershare to Apple Childcare Vouchers.The university’s 1,500 employees will have access to the new scheme this month and Apple will be looking to increase the take-up levels through marketing campaigns and onsite visits.The transfer came about to improve the ...

  • Article

    Clinton Cards introduces childcare voucher scheme

    2010-09-01T00:00:01Z

    Clinton Cards has introduced a childcare voucher scheme.The new scheme, which is provided by KiddiVouchers, will be available to the retailer's 10,000 UK employees.Staff were made aware of the scheme through posters and leaflets, as well as information on the organisation's intranet.Kirsty Ashman, group HR manager of Clinton Cards, said: ...

  • Article

    Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council switches childcare voucher providers

    2010-09-01T00:00:01Z

    Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council has switched childcare voucher providers.The council moved to KiddiVouchers after its three-year contract with previous provider Computershare Voucher Services came up for renewal.Stephen Bridgehouse, HR advisor at Tameside MBC, said: “One of the factors considered when choosing our new provider was the process employed to manage ...

  • Article

    Social Housing Pension Scheme to launch defined contribution arrangement

    2010-09-01T00:00:01Z

    A defined contribution (DC) scheme will be introduced to all members of the Social Housing Pension Scheme on 1 October 2010.Administered by The Pensions Trust, the scheme serves more than 60,000 members and 700 different housing groups within the National Federation of Housing Associations and Housing Corporation.To date, 208 employers ...

  • Article

    Just 6% of employees covered by group income protection

    2010-09-01T00:00:01Z

    Only 6% of the UK's working population are covered by group income protection (GIP), according to a roundtable report from industry body Group Risk Development (Grid).This accounts for 1.77 million employees out of 28.98 million.The roundtable summary also found GIP could save the government almost £4 billion per year.In light ...

  • Article

    Tax-efficient mobiles to be offered via salary sacrifice

    2010-08-31T23:00:00Z

    IT distributor Micro Peripherals is to launch an HM Revenue and Customs-approved mobile phone salary sacrifice scheme in partnership with mobile network provider Three (3).Staff can pay for a mobile via salary sacrifice for a set contract period of 24 months. They can obtain almost any type of phone, including ...

  • Article

    NEC Group revamps flex scheme

    2010-08-31T23:00:00Z

    NEC Group has switched providers for its flexible benefits scheme, has moved from a paper-based to online plan and extended the scheme to all employees.The group, which operates four entertainment venues in Birmingham, went live with its online flex portal, now provided by Staffcare, in August, with staff selections taking ...

  • Article

    Exclusive Mercer research: Technology plays key role in salary sacrifice

    2010-08-31T23:00:00Z

    More than a third (37%) of organisations are planning to introduce technology platforms to automate their salary sacrifice arrangements in the next 12 months.According to Mercer's Salary sacrifice and technology - evolution research, many organisations will also streamline existing arrangements, while providing greater benefit choice and improved communication through online ...

  • Analysis

    Employer profile: Vinci Construction UK

    2010-08-31T23:00:00Z

    Vinci Construction UK has succeeded in unifying benefits for its stable of companies while battling the effects of recession, says Jennifer PatersonWhen the recession touched down and speedily escalated in the latter months of 2008, headlines across the UK proclaimed that the construction industry was one of the worst hit. ...

  • Article

    Research: One-third of employers engage staff with face-to-face communication

    2010-08-31T23:00:00Z

    Although nearly one-third (32%) of employers believe face-to-face communication is still the most effective way to engage staff, two thirds use online communication.Aviva UK's Health of the Workplace Four research shows the intranet plays a key role in the communication of employee benefits.Read more articles on voluntary benefits

  • Article

    Kingsley Napley puts flexible benefits online

    2010-08-31T23:00:00Z

    Law firm Kingsley Napley has launched online total reward statements and moved from a paper-based flexible benefits scheme to an online flex portal for its 200 staff.Rosemary Hull, HR officer at the firm, said it had decided to outsource the scheme to a third party because management of the plan ...