All articles by kscott – Page 120
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ArticleIndiana University introduces six weeks of paid parental leave
US-based Indiana University (IU) has introduced a new paid parental leave policy for staff, which will allow eligible employees to take up to six weeks of fully-paid leave.The new policy, which comes into effect on 1 July 2017, will enable both mothers and fathers whose child is born or adopted ...
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ArticleEXCLUSIVE: 43% do not provide regular benefits communications
EXCLUSIVE: More than two-fifths (43%) of employer respondents do not provide regular updates on their employee benefits offering to staff, according to research by Chase de Vere and Lightbulb.The survey of 300 senior HR decision makers also found that 23% of respondents provide employee benefits because they believe a competitive ...
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ArticleAsda, DS Smith and Samsung shortlisted for best benefits communication
Asda, DS Smith, Samsung, and The Mid Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust are among the organisations shortlisted in the best benefits communications, large employer category at the Employee Benefits Awards 2017.This award recognises the most effective benefits communication strategies implemented by large employers with more than 5,000 staff.The full category shortlist ...
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OpinionFerdinand Lovett: Workplace pensions and the gig economy
Classifying an individual as a worker instead of a self-employed contractor, as in the recent Uber and Citysprint tribunal cases, really matters from a pensions perspective.This is because the definition of 'worker' in the pensions auto-enrolment legislation is almost identical to the one used in employment rights legislation, with little ...
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ArticleNew Zealand government offers $2bn pay settlement to 55,000 care staff
The New Zealand government has offered to increase pay for 55,000 employees in the care and support sector as part of a $2 billion (£1.1 billion) five-year pay equity settlement.The pay increases, which would come into effect from 1 July 2017, would see affected care staff awarded a pay increase ...
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ArticlePenguin Random House UK to pay work experience candidates the national living wage
Publishing organisation Penguin Random House UK will pay all work experience participants the national living wage and offer accommodation support for candidates that live outside of London.The London-based organisation will provide a salary of £262.50 a week to participants on its two-week work experience programme, which includes 450 work experience ...
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ArticleCelebrate success at the Employee Benefits Awards and Summer Party
Excitement is building for the Employee Benefits Awards and Summer Party 2017, which will take place on Friday 9 June at the Artillery Garden at the HAC, London.The annual event, now in its 15th year, enables HR, reward, benefits and compensation professionals to come together and recognise best practice across ...
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ArticlePensions Ombudsman rejects Standard Life employee's transfer value complaint
The Pensions Ombudsman has rejected a complaint by a Standard Life employee, which claimed that the organisation mishandled his request for a new cash equivalent transfer value (CETV).The complainant, referred to as Mr T, was a deferred member of The Standard Life staff pension scheme. In March 2016, he requested ...
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The month in numbers: April 2017
A look at some of the facts and figures relating to employee benefits in April 2017:86% of voluntary living wage accredited employer respondents believe that accreditation has enhanced their reputation as an employer (Source: Living Wage Foundation/Cardiff Business School)74% of employee respondents believe that a traditional office working environment detracts ...
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Article12m people covered by group risk schemes in 2016
More than 12 million individuals were covered by group risk schemes at the end of 2016, according to research by Swiss Re.Its Group watch 2017 report, which is based on data collected from 16 providers in the group risk market in the UK and 18 employee benefits consultancies, also found ...
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ArticleTotal pay increases by 0.2% in real terms
Total pay, including bonuses, increased by 0.2% in real terms in Great Britain between December 2015-February 2016 and December 2016-February 2017, according to research by the Office for National Statistics (ONS).Its UK labour market: April 2017 report, also found that regular pay, excluding bonuses, increased by 0.1% in real terms ...
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ArticleRoyal Mail to close defined benefit pension scheme to future accrual
Postal organisation Royal Mail has confirmed that it will close its defined benefit (DB) pension scheme to future accrual.The organisation will close the Royal Mail pension plan to future accrual from 31 March 2018, subject to trustee approval.The closure follows a consultation process, which formed part of the organisation’s 2018 ...
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ArticleAssurant and Countrywide shortlisted for best voluntary benefits
Assurant and Countrywide (pictured) are among the organisations shortlisted in the the best voluntary benefits category at the Employee Benefits Awards 2017.This award celebrates the most effective use of a voluntary benefits plan and staff deals within an organisation.The full category shortlist is:Assurant, My Benefits (Entered by Computershare)Countrywide, Under One ...
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Article69% believe eyecare benefits can look after and save eyesight for staff aged over 40
More than two-thirds (69%) of employer respondents believe providing an eyecare benefit for staff aged over 40 is relevant for helping to look after and save eyesight, according to research by Specsavers Corporate Eyecare.Its survey of 1,007 employees and 502 employers also found that 52% of employer respondents believe that ...
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ArticleTop 10 most read stories this week
The top 10 most read stories on www.employeebenefits.co.uk between 6 and 12 April 2017 were: Luxurious office to deliver champagne and sushi to staff desksSalesforce conducts $3m salary adjustment following equal pay assessmentGlaxoSmithKline and Liverpool Victoria shortlisted for benefits team of the yearEXCLUSIVE: Hologic launches online financial education programmeGovernment consults ...
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OpinionAndy Melia: Employee volunteering has benefits beyond corporate social responsibility
Employee volunteering gives staff the opportunity to connect with a community, build their knowledge of the needs and challenges in society and deliver value through sharing skills and expertise. This can help to generate trust in the business and help staff to feel more involved in the towns, cities or ...
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ArticleCity of London Corporation achieves 9% take-up of stair climbing challenge
The City of London Corporation achieved a 9% take-up rate for its first employee stair climbing challenge.The challenge, which took place between 23 January and 17 February 2017 in conjunction with StepJockey, aimed to encourage employees to collectively climb to the summit of Mount Everest using the stairs within the ...
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ArticleFinancial Conduct Authority consults on new financial advice factsheet for employers
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has launched a consultation on proposed guidelines designed to clarify the regulatory framework around financial advice, including the development of a factsheet for employers and pension trustees.The consultation is based around four of the recommendations made in the Financial Advice Market Review (FAMR), which was ...
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ArticlePalm Beach County to introduce six weeks' paid parental leave for staff
Palm Beach County is to introduce paid parental leave for state staff.The new benefit, which will come into effect at the end of April, will enable eligible employees to take six weeks of parental leave at full pay for the birth, adoption or fostering of a child. The benefit will ...
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ArticleMore than 500,000 employers complete their auto-enrolment duties
More than half a million (503,178) UK employers have completed their pensions auto-enrolment duties as of 31 March 2017, according to research by The Pensions Regulator (TPR).Its Declaration of compliance report, which is based on information submitted by employers when they complete their declaration of compliance documentation, also found that ...