All articles by Marianne – Page 35
-
Article200,000 more UK staff protected by group risk schemes
The number of employees in the UK covered by group risk insurance grew by 200,000 in 2014, according to a study by Swiss Re.Its Group watch 2015 report, which analysed and summarised group risk business results at the end of 2014, found that the overall UK group risk market grew ...
-
ArticleStarbucks pays US employees' university fees
Starbucks Corporation has extended its College Achievement Plan to offer to fund university tuition for more than 140,000 eligible US staff.The coffee chain set up its College Achievement Plan, in association with Arizona State University (ASU), to offer Starbucks employees the chance work for a degree qualification, alongside working at ...
-
AnalysisHow to create a summer motivation strategy
If you read nothing else read this…Summer can be a good time to motivate employees by highlighting benefits such as childcare provision, health and wellbeing programmes and retail discounts and vouchers.Financial wellbeing is equally important during the summer months.Personal recognition or a ‘thank you’ can help boost staff motivation.The summer ...
-
Case StudiesSummer parties motivate staff at Astellas Pharma Europe
The pharmaceutical organisation, which employs 15,000 people across 40 countries, engages its UK staff with an annual summer party, which employees can invite their family to. The parties are also themed. For example, the theme of its 2014 party was the ‘Wild West’.Robert Wigmore, senior manager, reward and human resources ...
-
ArticleDon't miss the 2015 Employee Benefits Awards and summer party
The 13th annual Employee Benefits Awards 2015 will take place on 12 June at the Artillery Garden at the HAC in London.Through its 23 categories, the awards enable reward and benefits professionals to gain recognition for the outstanding work they have undertaken over the past year.The awards and summer party ...
-
ArticleEA Gibson launches employee ownership trust
Shipbroking firm EA Gibson has launched an employee ownership trust.The firm is now 100% owned by its employees following a buy out from oil and gas supply firm Hunting.Employees in an employee-ownership trust organisation can receive income-tax-free bonuses of up to £3,600 per tax year.The organisation was advised by Graeme ...
-
ArticleHome Group recognition scheme boosts corporate values
Housing charity Home Group offers its staff recognition e-cards to send to one another for helping to better represent its core values and increase employee engagement.So far, 12,000 of these have been sent to employees. The organisation also conducted workshops in-house with employees and managers about how to better live ...
-
ArticleLegislation and tax changes that took effect from 6 April 2015
On 6 April 2015, a number of changes to tax and legislation impacting employee benefits came into effect.The full list of changes are:Pensions:Individuals over the age of 55 now have access to their defined contribution (DC) pension savings in full. Employees can take their savings as cash, enter drawdown or ...
-
ArticleEmployee Benefits digital magazine - April 2015
Read the full digital April edition of Employee BenefitsWhy should organisations take steps to shelter themselves against employee benefit-related risk? Read how they can do so in Protective measures.Some employee benefits attract tax and national insurance exemptions, so it is essential that employers keep up to date with the rules ...
-
ArticleWindsor Castle staff balloted on industrial action over pay
Windsor Castle is facing industrial action over employees’ pay.This is the first time such action specific to the royal households has been carried out.The Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS) opened a ballot for staff of Windsor Castle on 31 March. It will close on 14 April with action planned ...
-
ArticlePeople in the South West spend most time in retirement
People in the South West of England are likely to spend the most amount of time in retirement (18.7 years), compared to counterparts in other areas of the UK, according to research by Club Vita, part of Hymans Robertson.The study, which surveyed 1,526 UK adults who have not retired, also ...
-
ArticlePunter Southall integrates wearable technology with income protection
Punter Southall Health and Protection Consulting (PSHPC) is to distribute and administer the first group income protection product linked to wearable technology.The product from the organisation’s Havensrock brand brings employee wellness and traditional income protection together. It is offered in partnership with Aviva.It also aims to engage all staff in ...
-
Article
EY to offer enhanced shared parental leave
EY is to offer an enhanced shared parental leave (SPL) policy for eligible members of staff. The professional services organisation will offer additional pay on top of the statutory entitlement for 39 weeks by offering eligible staff 6 weeks leave at full pay, followed by 33 weeks at half pay. ...
-
ArticleDLA Piper increases maternity benefits
EXCLUSIVE: DLA Piper is offering an enhanced shared parental leave (SPL) policy for its 2,100 employees. The global law firm has also increased its maternity benefits from 14 weeks on full pay, followed by statutory pay until the 39th week, to 22 weeks on full pay. Its enhanced SPL policy ...
-
ArticleJohn Lewis appoints DC pension provider
The John Lewis Partnership has appointed Legal and General as bundled administration provider to the defined contribution (DC) section of its pension scheme.The appointment is part of the retailer’s implementation of its new hybrid pension arrangement, comprising both DC and defined benefit (DB) sections.In February, John Lewis announced plans to ...
-
ArticleFriends Life partners Foster Denovo on pensions advice
Friends Life and Foster Denovo have partnered to provide employees with advice relating to the pension freedoms which are due to come into effect on 6 April.Through the arrangement, employees who contact Friends Life about their new options with retirement savings will be referred to Foster Denovo if they request ...
-
ArticleE.On informs staff about childcare and pension reforms
EXCLUSIVE: E.On has been educating its 11,000 employees about shared parental leave, the forthcoming changes to tax-free childcare policy and what the newly implemented pension freedoms mean for them.The energy organisation sent out emails to its employees about its parental leave policy, as well as placing a summary on its ...
-
ArticleRoffey Park informs staff about pension freedoms
EXCLUSIVE: Roffey Park Institute has informed all 80 employees about the pension changes that came into effect on 6 April.The leadership institute educated staff about the pension freedoms via a verbal summary given by line managers and an internal email.The email, which was sent to staff on 2 April, offered ...
-
Article72% of staff interested in eldercare perks
EXCLUSIVE: Almost three-quarters (72%) of people are interested in receiving eldercare as an employee benefit, according to research by Allianz Global Assistance.Its study of 200 UK adults also found that 27% said balancing work and home life is their biggest concern when caring for elderly relatives.The research also found:More than ...
-
Article63% of staff prefer to manage pensions online
Just under two-thirds (63%) of respondents who belong to a workplace pension scheme would prefer to manage their retirement savings online or via an app, according to research by Aegon.Its survey of 2,000 UK adults, including 1,532 pension scheme members, also found that 64% of respondents would use a facility ...