All articles by Kate Donovan – Page 14
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Article
Lloyds TSB extends payroll contract with Ceridian
Lloyds TSB has extended its contract with Ceridian to provide its outsourced payroll services for another five years.The new deal extends the existing seven-year relationship for a further five years, and follows a competitive review. As part of the agreement, Ceridian will be supplying Lloyds TSB with a fully-managed payroll ...
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UK pension schemes move into surplus
UK pension schemes are in surplus for the first time since accounting standard FRS17 was introduced in June 2001.The date that the aggregate UK pension accounting surplus was recorded, marks a more than £50bn improvement in FRS17 scheme net valuations in two months, according to research by Aon Consulting.Over the ...
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RSM International formalises secondment programme for staff
RSM International has formalised its international secondment programme for staff across its 73 member firms worldwide, to give guidance to those wishing to work at another member firm.The audit, tax and consulting network has over 24,000 staff working in 630 offices worldwide, and the programme has been designed to develop ...
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Employers could face prison for hiring illegal workers
Employers could face a prison sentence and/or an unlimited fine if they knowingly employ illegal workers.The Home Office has begun talks with employers on implementing new legislation to combat illegal workers as part of its Illegal Working Action Plan.Civil penalties will be levied on organisations which have been negligent in ...
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Little value perceived in pensions legislation
Pensions-related legislation, such as simplification, the Pensions Act 2004 and age discrimination legislation, is not perceived as beneficial either for schemes or for the pensions industry by a large number of occupational plans.According to Capita Hartshead's 14th Annual Pension Scheme Administration Survey 2007, less than a third of occupational schemes ...
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Dorset County Pension Fund appoints new investment managers
Dorset County Pension Fund has appointed new investment managers, following a review of its investment management arrangements.The review, carried out by Bfinance, aimed to improve the fund's overall performance by introducing an unconstrained approach for the fixed interest element of its portfolio. The fund has appointed European Credit Management (ECM) ...
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Grant Thornton sends staff to volunteer in Costa Rica
Grant Thornton has sent six employees to volunteer in Costa Rica to help build sustainable housing for local families as part of its corporate responsibility programme.The staff were selected as a result of their demonstrated team-work skills and enthusiasm. Only those who had worked for the organisation for at least ...
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Pensions Regulator publishes three-year corporate plan
The Pensions Regulator has published its corporate plan for the next three years, setting out its business strategy to meet its statutory objectives.One of its key plans for 2007-2008 is to work alongside the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) to reinforce the government's aim of reducing the maximum length ...
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Article
Wellbourne Medical to launch on-site skin cancer screening
Wellbourne Medical is planning to launch an on-site skin cancer screening service for employers to offer to staff.Its MoleVision product uses skin imaging technology operated by a trained nurse to scan moles for the early detection of melanomas. If the scan is clear, patients are informed immediately and are given ...
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Article
Pensions Regulator publishes clearance guidance
The Pensions Regulator has issued a reminder about how defined benefit (DB) scheme deficits should be treated in corporate transactions.The reminder relates to the option of obtaining clearance from the Pensions Regulator as an appropriate course of action where events take place which are financially detrimental to the ability of ...
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Gardner Systems launches healthcare cash plan
Gardner Systems has launched an employer-funded healthcare cash plan to help staff maintain their health and fitness.Through the plan, the Liverpool-based IT firm's 20 employees will be eligible to receive financial assistance for dental and optical health checks as well as health screening; discounted membership to health and fitness clubs, ...
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Article
Small fleets unconcerned by green issues
Employers with fleets of less than 100 company cars do not see environmental issues as a key concern.instead, some of their key issues include: driver licence checking; making employees aware of the smoking ban; risk management issues; keeping on top of fleet administration and reducing overall vehicle operating costs. Environmental ...
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Employers under pressure to offer breastfeeding breaks at work
Employers are to be petitioned to offer to breastfeeding breaks for new mothers during the working day.The official launch of the Breastfeeding Manifesto will take place on Wednesday, when campaigners will request that the government introduces legislation to protect mothers who breastfeed babies in public and at work.Number four of ...
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HMRC consultation open on Amaps
HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) has published an open letter asking for comment on three possible changes to the current structure of Approved Mileage Allowance Payments (Amaps).In looking at possible ways that the current structure of Amaps might be changed, HMRC indicates it will be looking at: an option for ...
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Article
Post Office HR chief moves to Bradford & Bingley
Ian Anderson has left†the Post Office where he was executive director HR to go Bradford & Bingley as†HR director.After four years at the Post Office, Anderson decided he wanted a fresh challenge.The role at Bradford and Bingley has been newly created for Anderson, and he aims to drive the people ...
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Emap podcasts Sip info
Media group Emap has produced a podcast to communicate this year's launch of its free shares share incentive plan (Sip).The podcast, which was available for employees to download or stream from the firm's intranet site, was produced in Emap's Kiss FM radio studio. Stewart Grant, group benefits manager, said it ...
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Analysis
Product in focus - Dental care
The state of NHS dentistry means dental perks are often seen as a major tonic by workers, and with a wide range of products on offer employers are bound to find one to suit, says Kate DonovanDental insurance reimburses policyholders for some of the cost of maintaining good oral health. ...
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Smoking ban laws leave some grey areas
With the smoking ban about to be phased in across the UK, there is still a lack of clarity on some issuesWith the Smoke-Free (Premises and Enforcement) Regulations having already come into force in Wales last month, and due to take effect in England on 1 July, some details about ...
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GNER to use email alerts as perks' promotional tool
Train company GNER is to introduce email alerts to communicate products offered through its voluntary benefits scheme called Choices to its 3,000 employees.The alerts will promote seasonal activities and events from August. John Hayhurst, manager HR services, said: "We want to do more event-focused updates [for example] promoting days out ...
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Clydesdale & Yorkshire Bank adds pre-paid debit card
Clydesdale & Yorkshire Bank has added a pre-paid debit card to its voluntary benefits scheme for its 11,500 employees.Staff can apply for, and load money onto, the card online. This can then be spent at a number of high street retailers and leisure firms including: Asda, Argos, TGI Fridays and ...