All articles by Nick Golding – Page 8
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Analysis
Employers are beginning to realise benefits of training
While there are clear advantages in offering training, employers have been slow to communicate it as a valuable benefit says Nick GoldingWhenever workplace training is mentioned, there will always be a group of employers that believe staff equipped with new-found knowledge will show their gratitude by going off to work ...
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Article
Asda launches SMS sharesave application
ASDA has revamped the application process for its sharesave scheme to enable staff to join via SMS text message, in order to boost employee participation levels.When the system launches this month, employees at the retail giant will be able to text a dedicated phone number supplied by the scheme's provider ...
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Article
Rushcliffe Borough Council debates flex after Pru's exit
Rushcliffe Borough Council has been forced to re-examine the viability of its flexible benefits scheme after its provider Prudential Flexible Benefits Solutions withdrew from the market.The council said it will continue its scheme in the present form until July, after which date Prudential will no longer support the plan.Tom Grainger, ...
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Article
O2 to launch online flexible benefits
Telecommunications firm O2 is to launch an online flexible benefits scheme for its 12,000 UK employees.Staff will be able to select their first round of benefits through the scheme in May, and their choices will then come into effect in July.O2 plans to initially run a short flex year from ...
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Analysis
Can eco-friendly LPG cars succeed?
Lack of government support and a paucity of infrastructure investment from fuel firms is dashing the hopes of eco-friendly LPG vehicle users, says Nick GoldingIf you read nothing else, read this ...LPG has not taken off in the popularity stakes due to limited backing by the government, manufacturers and fuel ...
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Article
Budget predicted to tax staff car parking spaces
Current tax breaks on employee car parking spaces could be removed in this year's Budget on 21 March.Car parking is currently a tax-free benefit, but tax experts have predicted that it could soon be taxed as a benefit in kind.By taxing employees who park at work the government could actively ...
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Article
Employers left in lurch by HBOS exit
Employers have been forced to seek new providers for their voluntary benefits schemes following a decision by HBOS to close its worksite marketing arm.Hotel group Malmaison and Hotel du Vin plans now plans to refresh its voluntary scheme. Sean Wheeler, group director of people development across both hotel chains, said: ...
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Analysis
New tax breaks introduced to boost employee share plan take-up in Germany
The German government has proposed new tax breaks to boost take up of employee share plans and increased perks for working parents, says Nick GoldingIf you read nothing else, read this ...The German government has proposed to increase tax breaks to make employee share schemes more lucrative.A declining birth rate ...
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Analysis
Do armed forces' perks deserve the criticism?
Armed services' housing may have come under fire from the British media, but perks issues are at the front line of MoD thinking, says Nick GoldingArticle in fullOf late, benefits that are awarded to the armed forces have hit the headlines for all the wrong reasons. Instead of attracting new ...
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Analysis
High earners appreciate benefits beyond wages
A common reward myth states that staff at the top are only motivated by money, but perks also have a key role to play, says Nick GoldingWhen it comes to incentivising high earners, the normal rules of motivation may not always apply. While there is rarely ever one perk that ...
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Article
UnumProvident launches absence management tool
UnumProvident has launched an absence management assessment and accreditation tool to help larger employers identify their strengths and weaknesses around tackling the issue.During a week-long assessment period, which costs from £10,000 for organisations based on one site, employers will be examined on 16 key areas including: workplace culture, health promotion ...
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Article
Employers liable for drivers caught using mobile phones
Employers could be held liable if employees are caught using a mobile phone while driving on business.Under new laws that come into effect on 27 February, the penalties for drivers who are caught using a mobile phone will increase from £30 to £60. They will also receive three points on ...
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Article
HSA pilots green cars
Corporate healthcare provider HSA is piloting the use of green fuelled cars in its 160-strong fleet in an bid to reduce the amount of CO2 emissions.Cars such as the Honda Civic Hybrid are being tested with the intention of making green cars a long-term option for its company car drivers.Mark ...
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Analysis
Are Amaps a threat to fleets?
Tax-friendly authorised mileage payment allowances have affected company car uptake, so will the government clamp down on lost revenue, asks Nick GoldingIf you read nothing else, read this ...Authorised mileage allowance payments (Amaps) permit employers to reimburse personal car drivers for business miles tax free at 40p for the first ...
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Article
EC limits on CO2 emissions for cars set to boost fleet costs
New proposals by the European Commission (EC) to limit CO2 emissions for cars and vans manufactured in Europe to 130 grams per kilometre or less by 2012, could lead to higher price tags for companies purchasing fleet vehicles.The legislation, which will also affect cars that are imported to Europe for ...
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Article
John Lewis Partnership to launch free legal advice for staff
The John Lewis Partnership is to introduce free access to telephone legal advice for employees, following a benchmarking exercise and successful six-month long pilot last year.The retail firm trialled the perk across three John Lewis stores and three Waitrose branches last summer, and received take up of just under 10%.Adam ...
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Article
Lloyds TSB Registrars to push flex and pensions admin
Lloyds TSB Registrars is now offering flexible benefits through its voluntary benefits arm Bringme and has plans to launch a pensions administration service later this year.Bringme has completed the transfer of Lloyds TSB Group's flexible benefits scheme onto its own administration system. It now has plans to market flexible benefits ...
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Article
Cadbury sports new wellbeing plans
Cadbury Schweppes has launched an employee health and wellbeing initiative after the scheme was piloted by Cadbury Trebor Bassett.Its 'Fit for life' campaign, which mirrors that run by Cadbury Trebor Bassett, comprises four main strands: personal wellbeing, nutrition, balance and relaxation, and activity. These include benefits such as a free ...
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Article
Mitchells & Butlers pilots bonus sacrifice
PUB CHAIN Mitchells & Butlers piloted a bonus sacrifice scheme for its 500 head office staff last month which it hopes to roll out to the rest of its 45,000 UK employees later this year.Through the scheme, employees could sacrifice up to 100% of the gross value of any bonus ...
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Analysis
The future of flexible benefits
Nick Golding asks whether flex will still be relevant in the future despite changing workforce demographics and working practicesArticle in fullCase study: Standard LifeWorking practices in the UK are constantly evolving. We only need to be reminded of life before emails, the internet and mobile phones to wonder how we ...