All articles by Jessica Bird – Page 9
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ArticleClifford Chance finds mean 44% social mobility pay gap in first report
Magic circle law firm Clifford Chance has voluntarily reported its social mobility pay gap for the first time, finding a mean 44% difference in pay between the professional and working classes in 2021.This gap dropped to 26% between the intermediate and working classes, and 24% between the professional and intermediate ...
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Case StudiesCharterhouse adapts metabolic age initiatives to fit the new normal
At accountancy firm Charterhouse, the journey towards helping employees reduce their metabolic age is just beginning, and has had to adapt quickly to face the challenges created by the Covid-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic.Prior to the move to home working, Charterhouse had undertaken metabolic age measurements for its staff, led by provider ...
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AnalysisHow can employers help staff improve their metabolic age?
Need to know:Metabolic age is a holistic way of quantifying health, taking into account physical as well as mental wellbeing.Having an empirical measurement can help frame and communicate a holistic wellbeing strategy.Education and communication should centre on a fun, healthy approach, and team activities should not focus too much on ...
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OpinionCharles Cotton: Supporting employees through times of uncertainty
The Coronavirus has plunged businesses into uncertainty and there are reports that millions of jobs could be lost globally as a result of the pandemic. As well as suddenly dealing with financial worries, individuals are concerned about their loved ones getting the virus or contracting it themselves.Many businesses will not ...
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OpinionChrista Sedlatschek: Why employee mental wellbeing is good for business
The World Health Organization (WHO) believes that mental health is ‘a complete state of wellbeing’; people with good mental health are capable, resilient, productive and have good social support.Work is good for us in many ways: it gives us structure, purpose and a sense of identity, all of which promote ...
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AnalysisWhat is the role of occupational health in supporting mental wellbeing?
Need to know: Occupational health provisions have typically been seen as dealing with physical health and safety, but employers should understand and promote their role in supporting mental wellbeing.Having a codified approach to mental health can place it on the same footing as physical health and safety, which has knock-on ...
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Case StudiesNottingham Faculty of Engineering sees interconnected support as future of wellbeing
The University of Nottingham's Faculty of Engineering houses approximately 1,000 employees, including academics, technical staff, administrative roles and researchers.Across these roles, there are vastly different mental wellbeing needs. This is only being exacerbated by increased uncertainty, self-isolation and home working during the current Coronavirus pandemic.The university as a whole provides ...
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OpinionCarl Laidler: Employee health and wellbeing is pivotal to business sustainability
It has been reported that more active management of sick leave could save the UK economy £56 billion each year in lost time and productivity. Indeed, the usual symptoms of illness, including feeling burnt out and disengaged, massively impact productivity levels.However, it is not just the individual who is less ...
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ArticleGovernment will pay 80% of wages for staff unable to work due to Coronavirus
In a press conference held this afternoon (20 March 2020), Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Chancellor Rishi Sunak and Deputy Chief Medical Officer Jenny Harries announced new measures to protect British businesses and employees during the Covid-19 (Coronavirus) outbreak.The British government will pay 80% of wages for employees unable to work ...
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ArticleWorking from home: Spotify survival guide
Working from home can be lonely, particularly when self-isolation is thrown into the mix.To help employees cope with this period of isolation, Employee Benefits has compiled a list of Spotify playlists, aimed at beating the blues, boosting productivity, and making self-isolation a little less isolating.The perfect work playlistHighlights: Feelgood and ...
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Case Studies
Infographic: Coronavirus responses in practice
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OpinionCoronavirus: The view from the market
As the world of work adapts to a new normal, Employee Benefits has collected thought leadership, advice and commentary from across the market, to help readers make sense of the challenges ahead.Maintaining wellbeingAveril Leimon, executive coach at White Water Group: "Self care is vital; this is not the time to ...
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OpinionMartin Perry: Working from home - learning from the sporting elite
At the moment, as Coronavirus sends more and more of the workforce into isolation, everyone is finding they need to adapt to new circumstances; psychologically, that can be demanding. In the sporting industry, for example, we have seen elite sportspeople required to adapt as matches are played behind closed doors, ...
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OpinionMini Setty: Guidelines for home working during Coronavirus
Coronavirus has wrought immediate and enormous changes to working practices across the UK. As the government advises businesses and workplaces to encourage staff to work from home wherever possible, employees and employers alike are understandably rushing to ensure they understand their rights and responsibilities under law.Employers have to take reasonable ...
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OpinionMark Hodgkinson: Government reforms must support disabled employees in crisis
Chancellor Rishi Sunak and prime minister Boris Johnson have unveiled a £350 billion emergency measures bill to support those in dire financial straits due to the Coronavirus crisis. Included in the bill are measures to pay statutory sick pay from day one, rather than day four, for people affected by ...
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OpinionCharles Pitt: Protecting wellbeing and mental health during Coronavirus
Since the start of the Coronavirus crisis, the British Safety Council has put in place a plan to protect its people and its customers. Supporting our employees' wellbeing and mental health is just as important to us as limiting the spread of the virus. Much of what we have done ...
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OpinionDiane Lightfoot: Coronavirus and disability – keeping employees safe
As the number of confirmed cases of Coronavirus grows, employers are rightly concerned about the impact that the virus could have on their workforce.Some employees may be more susceptible to catching infections than others. This includes those with certain disabilities or conditions, and those who may be taking medication which ...
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Case StudiesOxford Bus Company moves to holistic platform to get best value from benefits
For transport organisation Oxford Bus Company, creating an effective and appealing benefits package is key to staying fighting fit in the war for talent, which is particularly fierce in this industry. However, where implementing expensive benefits could mean raising fares and driving away customers, it is important to balance cost ...
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Case StudiesAster balances cost with value to create wide-reaching benefits package
Among the 1,300 members of staff employed by housing association Aster, jobs span from typical head office functions, through to 400 remote trade roles. This diverse workforce has widely varied needs, from the benefits on offer to communications, engagement and awareness.Variety, choice and flexibility are, therefore, key. Holly Coe, head ...
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AnalysisHow to build an attractive benefits package on a budget
Need to know:Although flexibility and choice are important, there are some low-cost, go-to starting points, such as employee assistance programmes (EAPs).It can be worth investing in slightly more expensive products or platforms, to derive the best value in the long run.Communication, packaging and position are just as important as having ...