Opinion – Page 6
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OpinionMelanie Morton: Neurodiversity Celebration Week 2024: How to support employees
Neurodiversity Celebration Week 2024 this year takes place on 18-24 March. Neurodiversity refers to the natural range of differences in human brain function. We all think, move, process information and communicate in different ways. Many people use neurodiversity as an all-encompassing term used to describe alternative thinking styles such as ...
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OpinionLovewell's logic: Celebrating progress
This week I had the pleasure of judging the Employee Benefits Awards 2024. This is something I always love to do as I find the insight it gives into employers’ strategies and their reward offerings to be absolutely fascinating. I always find that I learn something new and come across ...
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OpinionSally Hulston: EHRC guidance on menopause in the workplace
The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has published new guidance on menopause in the workplace and set out employers’ legal obligations. The guidance reasserts the fact that women experiencing menopausal symptoms, particularly in severe cases, have certain protections under the Equality Act 2010.While the menopause is not itself a ...
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OpinionLovewell's logic: How can we inspire inclusion on International Women's Day?
“Imagine a gender equal world. A world free of bias, stereotypes and discrimination. A world that’s diverse, equitable and inclusive. A world where difference is valued and celebrated. Together we can forge women’s equality. Collectively we can all #InspireInclusion.”As the strapline for this year’s International Women’s Day, this certainly paints ...
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OpinionMusab Hemsi: When it comes to baby loss, employers should not forget about fathers
As progressive workplaces move towards a more open and supportive culture, the impact of baby loss, whether through miscarriage, stillbirth or neonatal death, is becoming more widely talked about. However, employer support is often focused on mothers, with less consideration given to the fact fathers are suffering too. As men ...
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OpinionMark Ormston: Is the scrapping of the lifetime allowance a disappearing act or just an illusion?
The lifetime allowance (LTA) is one of those subjects referenced in lots of pension literature, and yet, it only affects a minority of people. With this in mind, imagine the ‘ooohs’ and ‘ahhhhs’ when one of the rabbits out of the 2023 Spring Budget hat was the announcement to make ...
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OpinionConfessions of a benefits manager: Candid designs a reward leaflet
I feel a bit ashamed to admit this, but our benefits documentation is not great. The stuff online is fine; all the information about our flexible benefits platform is up to date and acceptable. However, what we send out to candidates needs some attention. Someone who recently joined tells me ...
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OpinionHannah Mugleston: Rights and support for employees undergoing IVF treatment
Pregnant women have a legal right to paid time off from the workplace to attend antenatal appointments. MP Nickie Aiken is campaigning for the same rights to be extended to those undergoing IVF treatment. Her private members bill regarding this will have its second reading in March 2024.Aiken is also ...
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OpinionLovewell's logic: Should employers be legally required to support employee health?
The role of employers in supporting employees’ health and wellbeing was brought sharply to the fore this week with the announcement of a new government occupational health taskforce and the publication of guidance around supporting menopause in the workplace.Headed up by Dame Carol Black, the government’s newly appointed occupational health ...
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OpinionRashree Chhatrisha: Helping staff to achieve better retirement outcomes
The government’s ambition is to drive better outcomes for members of defined contribution (DC) pension schemes to help ensure all savers achieve the best possible retirement.This is a really positive direction for DC pensions as the management of schemes evolves to consider what members will receive in retirement; whether this ...
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OpinionTim Pike: Could we see a return to defined benefit pensions?
The UK’s private sector defined benefit (DB) pension landscape is generally described as in its endgame. There has been a fall in the number of open DB pension schemes as a result of economic, social and regulatory changes.The vast majority of employers offer a defined contribution (DC) pension to eligible ...
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OpinionLee McIntyre-Hamilton: Changes to national insurance and the impact on employment
The new year has already brought some welcome news for employees, with the cut in employee national insurance contributions (NICs) from 12% to 10%. As of 6 January 2024, the cut means that all employees who currently pay NIC will benefit.The extent of the savings will depend on an employee’s ...
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OpinionKerry Hudson: Change in flexible-working arrangements for 2024
Employees will have more rights to ask for flexible-working arrangements under new legislation coming in this year.Workers with 26 weeks of employment can ask for flexibility on how, where and when they work. Where employers previously did not need to consult with workers before giving their decision, they will now ...
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OpinionLovewell's logic: Are employees destined for a meagre retirement?
How to encourage employees to save enough for retirement is an age-old conundrum. For those of us working in this industry, the reasons to do so are clear. However, for employees without an in-depth knowledge of the pensions system, the time until they reach retirement may mean saving for this ...
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OpinionSarah Bogues: How to become a fertility-friendly employer
Employers play a critical role in the fertility journey of their employees. When employers get it right, the loyalty they can cultivate among their staff is immense. As the Fertility Treatment (Employment Rights) Bill makes its way through Parliament, it is an opportune time for employers to reassess their approach ...
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OpinionConfessions of a benefits manager: Candid works on a new recognition platform
Does recognition fall under compensation or benefits? In my organisation, it sits in compensation, so I thought I was safe from getting involved in the new platform. I have been watching with interest as communications go out promising a new, exciting platform in a matter of weeks.I should have known ...
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OpinionHelen Burgess: How to help break mental health stigma in the workplace
Time to Talk Day (1 February 2024) is an annual awareness day that focuses on starting conversations about mental health. The workplace can be fertile ground to get conversations started around mental health to help break the stigma and support employees who may be struggling.On the legal side, an employee ...
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OpinionNabila Mallick: Employers must take menstrual health in the workplace seriously
While there is no specific protection in law, there are various provisions that indirectly protect women from discrimination or harassment relating to periods and the menstrual cycle. These include protections from disability discrimination where women have diagnosed medical conditions related to menstruation and protections against sexual harassment, such as where ...
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OpinionDawn Moore: How can reward and benefits contribute to happiness at work?
It has long been recognised that reward and benefits, as part of an overall employee experience, are a key part of happiness at work. A good reward and benefits package demonstrates that an organisation cares for its employees, particularly where it is clear that there is not a one-size-fits-all approach ...
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OpinionNeil Goodwin: How can reward and benefits contribute to happiness at work?
The old adage that a happy worker is a good worker is nothing new. However, the advantage to businesses of having a happy and engaged workforce, and the things that affect this the most, are becoming a key focus like never before (cue obligatory reference to Google’s chief happiness officer).Looking ...