All articles by Louise Fordham – Page 2
-
ArticleCommunication remains key in the changing pensions landscape
Almost a third (30%) of respondents to the Employee Benefits/Close Brothers Pensions research 2015 say the most frequent concern that staff have around retirement is a lack of knowledge about how much they need to contribute into their pensions in order to achieve their retirement goals.If an employee reaches their ...
-
AnalysisHow can group risk benefits support staff wellbeing?
If you read nothing else, read this…Initiatives that demonstrate employers are putting mental wellbeing on the agenda can encourage more open dialogue about mental health in the workplace.Employers can incorporate a preventative approach within health and wellbeing strategies by utilising the aditional services offered through group risk provision.Early notification can ...
-
AnalysisHow can providers and advisers help employers to develop a group risk strategy?
If you read nothing else read this…Discussing benefits outside of the renewal cycle allows time for more in-depth strategic considerations.Group risk providers offer a range of additional services alongside core products that can help employers support their staff.Employers can draw on the combined expertise of advisers and providers to develop ...
-
ArticleThe importance of timing
‘Timing is everything’ is a well-worn cliché. Nevertheless, sometimes the importance of timing should not be underestimated. For example, where an employee is struggling to cope with a physical or mental health condition, an employer promptly approaching its group risk benefits provider can ensure that appropriate support is available as ...
-
AnalysisCommunicating the value of group risk benefits
If you read nothing else, read this…To feel the full value of group risk benefits, employers should be aware of the advantages such benefits provide and the range of additional services that are available.An effective communications strategy will utilise a range of channels that reflect how employees want their benefits ...
-
ArticleEuropean Court rules on travel as working time case
The European Court of Justice (ECJ) has ruled that the time workers without a fixed or habitual place of work spend traveling from home to their first appointment of the day and from their last appointment of the day to their home to be working time for the purposes of ...
-
OpinionClaire Ginnelly: What to consider with the rise in insurance premium tax
In the Summer Budget 2015, Chancellor George Osborne announced that the standard rate of insurance premium tax (IPT) will increase from 6% to 9.5% from 1 November 2015.IPT is a tax on insurers and is added to general insurance products, such as car, home and travel cover, as well as ...
-
ArticleSame-sex spouse loses equal pension bid
The Court of Appeal has upheld a ruling against a retired employee in his bid to see his civil partner, now husband, receive the same pension pay-out in the event of his death as a spouse of the opposite sex.In the case of Walker vs Innospec and others, in which ...
-
Article
Top 10 most read stories this week
The top 10 most read stories on www.employeebenefits.co.uk between 22 and 28 October 2015.1. Monsoon Accessorize tops HMRC’s wage breach list.2. Aldi to increase staff pay.3. Government extends plans to close gender pay gap.4. Government consults on pension member-borne commission.5. Hungryhouse launches voluntary benefits scheme.6. Employer recruits tweeting chicken.7. 92% ...
-
ArticleUber offers purr-fect wellbeing booster
Something for the weekend…This week employees in North America have had the opportunity to take advantage of a warm and furry measure to combat stress and boost wellbeing in the workplace.To celebrate National Cat Day on 29 October, taxi firm Uber ran an UberKITTENS initiative for workers across 50 cities.For ...
-
ArticleEmployer recruits tweeting chicken
Something for the weekend…What kind of benefits should an employer offer to poultry employees? This is a question that Employee Benefits never imagined it would be asking, but it is in fact one that Australian fast food chain Chicken Treat may have to consider.The firm has taken on a new ...
-
ArticleTop 10 most read stories this week
1. LinkedIn US to introduce unlimited holiday.2. PWC launches return-to-work programme.3. Parliamentary committee urges Pension Wise improvements.4. Altmann puts defined ambition and automatic transfers on hold.5. Pizza delivery nets driver $1,000 tip.6. Natixis launches wellness week.7. Royal Mail staff gifted 1% shareholding.8. Kingfisher develops pensions app to engage staff.9. 70% ...
-
ArticleIdeal Carehomes increases staff pay
Ideal Carehomes, part of the LNT Group, has increased pay for staff ahead of the implementation of the national living wage, which is due to come into effect in April 2016.All employees will now be paid a minimum of £7.50 an hour, 30p higher than the upcoming £7.20 national living ...
-
Article45% unaware of absence support
Nearly half (45%) of respondents are not aware or do not know whether any sickness absence support is available from their employer, according to research by Canada Life Group Insurance.Its survey of 1,000 full and part-time employees found that just 9% of respondents believe that staff health and wellbeing is ...
-
ArticleJust 2% report significant shared parental leave take up
Just 2% of respondents have experienced significant take up of shared parental leave (SPL), according to research by My Family Care and law firm Hogan Lovells.Its survey of 70 employers found that more than a third (38%) of respondents have witnessed increased interest and growing momentum around SPL.The survey also ...
-
Article
Government presses pause on defined ambition and automatic transfers
The government has put plans to implement defined ambition, collective benefits, and automatic transfers on hold to be revisited at a later date.The aim of the automatic transfers process, also known as pot follows member, is to enable members to more easily keep track of their pension savings as they ...
-
Article
5: Government presses pause on defined ambition and automatic transfers
The government has put plans to implement defined ambition, collective benefits, and automatic transfers on hold to be revisited at a later date.The aim of the automatic transfers process, also known as pot follows member, is to enable members to more easily keep track of their pension savings as they ...
-
Article
6, main box: European Court rules on travel as working time case
The European Court of Justice (ECJ) has ruled that the time workers without a fixed or habitual place of work spend travelling from home to their first appointment of the day and from their last appointment of the day to their home to be working time for the purposes of ...
-
Opinion
6: Column - What will employers need to consider in light of the rise in insurance premium tax?
In the Summer Budget 2015, Chancellor George Osborne announced that the standard rate of insurance premium tax (IPT) will increase from 6% to 9.5% from 1 November 2015.IPT is a tax on insurers and is added to general insurance products, such as car, home and travel cover, as well as ...
-
Article
12, Big question: Ellen Broome: Should parental leave be extended to grandparents?
The short answer to this is yes. In the Family and Childcare Trust’s research Improving our understanding of informal childcare in the UK, published in July 2012, we called for grandparents to be given the right to share maternity leave and we are delighted the government has listened and announced ...