All articles by Nicola Sullivan – Page 65
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Article
Interview with Sarah Jackson from Working Families
Both employers and employees can have reservations about flexible working arrangements, but Sarah Jackson of the charity Working Families believes they bring benefits for all parties, says Nicola SullivanFlexible working arrangements are often hailed as an antidote to employees’ stresses and strains in trying to balance their work and home ...
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Non-monetary rewards make workers more likely to stay
Employers that offer their employees non-monetary rewards should achieve higher rates of retention than those that do not.A survey of 1,000 employees by GfK NOP found that a higher percentage of staff planning to quit their jobs within the year work for line managers who do not provide non-monetary rewards ...
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Analysis
Review healthcare perks for maximum value for money
With the current bleak economic outlook, it is becoming increasingly important for employers to justify their benefits expenditure, particularly when it comes to healthcare perks, which are often costly to provide and, in some cases, are not always fully used by staff.Employee Benefits/HSA Healthcare research 2008 shows 26percent of employers ...
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Harrow Council revamps eyecare scheme
Harrow Council has introduced a new eye care scheme for staff as part of efforts to improve employee wellbeing.Under the scheme introduced in April employees who use a visual display unit screen for their job are assessed by the council's occupational health department, and are then sent to Specsavers for ...
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Purple Foodservice Solutions switches fleet provider
Purple Foodservice Solutions has switched its fleet provider.†The provider of food to British service personnel now provides its ten-strong management and logistical planning team with a range of diesel cars, from manufacturers such as Audi, BMW and VW.†All vehicles are provided by leasing firm Tusker on three-year leasing contracts and ...
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Analysis
Ways in which employers can have a safer fleet
The introduction of the Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act 2007 in April this year has put the issue of driver safety under the spotlight for many organisations. Employers are particularly keen to avoid the penalties that will be imposed on those which do not comply with existing regulations. Where ...
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Government postpones increase on fuel duty
Employers have gained a brief respite from increasing fleet costs after Chancellor, Alistair Darling, announced that the planned 2p increase in fuel duty is to be postponed.The increase, which was due to come into effect on 1 October, has now been postponed until next spring. Main fuel duty rates will ...
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Treasury stands by plans to increase vehicle excise duty
The Treasury is standing by its plans to increase car tax on the most polluting cars bought since 2002.Members of Parliament voted against an amendment to to the Finance Bill, which was proposed by the Conservatives, to prevent vehicle excise duty applying to all cars registered since 2001. The move ...
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Analysis
How will employers deal with the fuel crisis
With fuel prices spiralling, employers are being forced to think of ways to help them and employees cope.Soaring fuel prices are forcing compensation and benefits professionals to review their fleet policies. Fuel prices topped a list of issues impacting on fleet policies when provider Alphabet surveyed fleet managers in May. ...
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Communicating paternity benefits to male staff
Male staff may not be aware of their entitlement to childcare benefits or might feel awkward about claiming them, so employers should ensure they know the facts, says Nicola SullivanIn the first few months of their children's lives, some men may feel they are forced to play a secondary role, ...
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Health and wellbeing measures help employers in war for talent
Companies that address workplace health and wellbeing attract talent and are more likely to have higher levels of staff retention.The majority of employees (83%) say employers' attitudes towards health are an important factor when making a decision about a job, according to research commissioned by Business in the Community (BITC).The ...
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The continuing evolution of healthcare cash plans
Healthcare cash plans are evolving to satisfy modern demands for a healthier lifestyle, while dental provision has also made a huge impact on their development, says Nicola SullivanToday's healthcare cash plans have evolved from hospital Saturday funds introduced in the 19th century to address the healthcare needs of the working ...
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Ladbrokes surveys staff through shop tills
Retail employees at Ladbrokes have been surveyed via their own shop tills on the benefits they value.The company conducted a benefits survey, designed by Asperity, using a software programme linked to the shop till system, with the aim of discovering which benefits staff value and how they want them delivered. ...
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The Pensions Regulator has publishes guidance on retirement options
The Pensions Regulator has published guidance on retirement options that reminds trustees to ensure members are aware of their right to exercise the open market option, whereby they can use their fund to buy an annuity from an insurance company of their choice and opt for the best deal available. ...
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Simply Health Group contributes to paying off student loans
The Simply Health Group has implemented a student loan-matching scheme to provide graduates with an alternative to joining the company's group personal pension (GPP) scheme.Since the scheme was implemented in May, the healthcare provider has been matching the amount of money that is automatically deducted from the salary of graduates ...
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Wolters Kluwer consolidates pensions into one GPP
Information services company Wolters Kluwer has increased employer pension contributions using savings made by consolidating five separate pension schemes into one group personal pension (GPP) plan.Reducing pension administration costs has enabled the company to increase its pensions contributions by an average of 2% for each employee who contributes to the ...
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Analysis
Healthcare cash plans continue to develop
Healthcare cash plans are evolving to satisfy modern demands for a healthier lifestyle, while dental provision has also made a huge impact on their development, says Nicola SullivanToday's healthcare cash plans have evolved from hospital Saturday funds introduced in the 19th century to address the healthcare needs of the working ...
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Employers worry that staff don’t have good enough eyesight to drive on business
More than half of employers (53%) worry that staff driving in the course of business don't have good enough eyesight to do so, according to Specsavers driver research. The survey, of 132 company heads, revealed that 60% of employers do not have a policy to test the eyesight of their ...
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Almost half of employers set to begin auto-enrolment into pensions
Almost half (45%) of employers are set to automatically enrol all employees into their existing pension schemes ahead of the introduction of personal accounts in 2012.Of the 271 employers with occupational pension plans which took part in the Annual pension scheme administration survey commissioned by Capita Hartshead, 53% said they ...
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Absence levels in public sector higher than in private sector
Employee absence levels in public sector organisations were 55% higher than those experienced by private sector employers in 2007. According to the latest annual Confederation of British Industry/Axa Absence and labour turnover survey, average absence levels across the public sector was nine days per employee for 2007, compared with 5.8 ...