All articles by Marianne – Page 31
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ArticleTibbalds increases employee ownership to 60%
Tibbalds Planning and Urban Design has increased employee ownership to 60%.The independent planning, urban design and architecture consultancy introduced majority employee ownership earlier this month when its employee ownership trust (EOT) bought shares from the organisation’s four founders: Hilary Satchwell, Jane Dann, Jennifer Ross and Sue Rowlands.The move is part ...
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Article59% unaware of employer pension contributions
Some 59% of employees are unaware of how much their current employer contributes towards their pension, according to research from life insurance, pensions and asset management provider Aegon.The study, which surveyed approximately 3,000 adults, also found that two in five (41%) of respondents do not know how much they are ...
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ArticleRoyal Mail staff to receive £50 million worth of shares
Royal Mail employees are to receive £50 million worth of free shares, business secretary Sajid Javid announced today.Its 1,500 members of staff already own 10% of the organisation.Javid said: “Employees currently comprise an important part of Royal Mail’s shareholder base. I believe there is merit in rewarding the employees of ...
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Article35% who have used pension freedoms are still working
Around a third (35%) of workers who accessed the pension freedoms in the first month after they came into effect in April 2015 were still working at the time, according to research by Hargreaves Lansdown.Its study, which surveyed 304 employees who drew pension benefits in the first weeks after the ...
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ArticleMost talked about news in May 2015
The agreement comprised cash contributions of £270m per year.The supermarket also consulted with employees on plans to close its DB pension scheme and replace this with a defined contribution (DC) scheme.“There is no doubt about it that the current scheme is one of the best, if not the best, on ...
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ArticleJust 10% offer mental health training
Only one in 10 (10%) of employers offer mental health training to managers, according to research by Jelf Employee Benefits and manufacturers’ organisation EEF.The study, which surveyed 345 employers, also found that 80% of organisations do not measure the cost of absence.The research also found:Overall sickness absence levels remain low ...
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ArticleDebra Stephenson to host Employee Benefits Awards
Actress and impressionist Debra Stephenson will host the Employee Benefits Awards 2015.During her career, Stephenson has had a successful run on talent show Opportunity Knocks, presented on Blue Peter, and is one half of The Impressions Show together with Jon Culshaw.She also played long-running character Shell in ITV’s Bad Girls ...
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ArticleOvo revamps flexible benefits scheme
EXCLUSIVE: Ovo has revamped its flexible benefits scheme for its 700 employees, in order to reflect its values and reward philosophy.The energy firm’s new online benefits strategy ‘My Rewards’, which uses Thomsons Online Benefits’ Darwin software, was introduced to better cater to its workforce which has doubled in size due ...
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ArticleGroup risk report 2015
Smooth transitionHow do employers help staff return to work following cancer treatment?Group risk benefits in numbersA round up of the latest facts and figures around group risk benefits.Jim Lister: How almost all group risk legal problems can be avoidedAppropriate contractual drafting must be ensured.Where should group risk benefits sit in ...
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ArticleAmbition hosts wellbeing week for staff
EXCLUSIVE: Ambition UK has hosted a wellbeing week for its 45 employees for the second year running.The recruitment firm provided a range of free health and wellbeing initiatives, including zumba, massages, a football match, pilates and a fitness boot camp during the week which took place from 11-15 May. This ...
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Article47% not planning to use pension freedoms
EXCLUSIVE: Almost half (47%) of UK adults are not planning to take advantage of the pension freedoms due to a lack of understanding, finance and confidence, according to research from Avacade Future Solutions.Its report, which surveyed 2,003 UK adults, also found that 37% of respondents aged over 55s who are ...
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ArticleScottish government pledges to improve productivity through living wage
The Scottish government has launched a voluntary code of conduct aimed at encouraging employers to improve employee productivity and diversity through measures such as paying the national living wage.Its Scottish Business Pledge, which comprises nine components and will be launched today (26 May) is aimed at encouraging employers to commit ...
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ArticleNational Rail strike suspended following new pay offer
The National Rail strike planned to begin on Monday 25 May has been suspended after employees accepted a revised pay offer.Staff were originally offered a £500 lump sum and three years of pay rises in line with inflation. This has now been revised.Union bosses had also raised concerns that railway ...
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ArticleTop 10 most read stories this week
The top 10 most read stories between 14-21 May on employeebenefits.co.uk:1. DLA Piper increases maternity benefits2. The evolution of family-friendly benefits3. Facebook sets pay and benefits standards for suppliers4. How sustainable is employee motivation in a zero or low pay rise environment?5. Willis Employee Benefits partners Benefex6. Oscar Mayer improves ...
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ArticleHerbert Smith Freehills adds mental health mentors
Law firm Herbert Smith Freehills has launched a mental health mentoring programme for its 1,714 staff at its London and Belfast offices.Its mental health mentor programme will provide access to a network of more than 60 individuals who can give advice, support and mentoring on mental health issues.The mentors from ...
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ArticlePremier Foods’ DB pensions deficit falls £400 million
Premier Foods’ defined benefit (DB) pension schemes combined deficit has fallen by almost two-thirds in the 15 months to April 2015.The firm, which owns the Oxo, Mr Kipling and Bisto brands, revealed in its preliminary results that its pension deficit shortfall had dropped from £603.3 million to £211.8 million over ...
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ArticleFinancial Ombudsman Service promotes Karen Smith
The Financial Ombudsman Service has promoted Karen Smith to organisational wellbeing manager from her previous role of reward and wellbeing manager.Smith has worked at the Financial Ombudsman Service since May 2007, and has held roles such as benefits and wellbeing consultant and HR officer, reward.
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ArticleCrown Estate becomes first property firm to be living wage accredited
The Crown Estate, which runs property and land owned by the Queen, is the first national property business to make a commitment to pay all its staff the living wage.All its employees, regardless of whether they are permanent employees or contractors, receive a minimum hourly wage of £9.15 per hour ...
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ArticleRalph Turner moves to Lloyd’s Banking Group
Lloyd’s Banking Group has appointed Ralph Turner senior pensions manager, trustee support (interim).He joins the bank from pensions communications firm Pension Geeks! where he held the title executive geek.Turner’s other previous roles include pensions and benefits director at Mars.
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ArticleRabson moves up at Linklaters
Nicola Rabson has been promoted to global head of the employment and incentives practice at law firm Linklaters. Rabson joined Linklaters in 2000 before becoming a partner in 2012. She previously worked for Charles Russell.