Opinion – Page 73
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OpinionJulie McCarthy: Working parents need long-term benefits
The Working Families shared parental leave (SPL) pioneers list highlights those employers offering above and beyond the minimum legal requirements for SPL. Not only are these employers offering enhanced SPL benefits, but the majority also support their expectant parents throughout the pregnancy or adoption process. They, along with many other ...
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OpinionLovewell's Logic: Should wearable technology be compulsory for all?
Over the past few months, there has been much debate about the use of wearable technology in employers’ health and wellbeing strategies. (And, indeed, it is a topic we will discuss in-depth during next month’s Employee Benefits Live). However, earlier this week, I had a really interesting conversation which gave ...
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Opinion
Investment Insight - Mensis horribilis
By Richard Dunbar, Investment Solutions, Aberdeen Asset ManagementTo the annus horribilis in the occasionally peculiar world of commodities has been added a mensis horribilis. In the past four weeks oil is down 20 per cent, copper down 10 per cent, corn 10 per cent and even gold is down 7 ...
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Opinion
Lovewell's logic: Why should employers support social issues?
Given the wide reach of such issues across UK society, the chances are that employees in almost every workplace will be affected by one of these in some way.However, many will understandably be reluctant to disclose to their employer or colleagues that they are grappling with such issues, given their ...
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OpinionLovewell's Logic: How cool is your office?
Once upon a time when we asked that question, the most common answer (other than the people) was likely to be along the lines of a decent coffee machine, free fruit or, in some lucky organisations, the on-site gym.Now, however, that list is increasingly likely to include things such as ...
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OpinionLovewell's Logic: Why the small stuff matters
At the same time, we frequently hear from all sections of the industry how some employers are taking the time to listen to what their employees really want from their benefits packages. So, I have to admit, I was a little surprised to hear of the decision of some (fairly ...
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OpinionInternational retirement plans for a global workforce
Globalised economies rely on an increasingly mobile workforce. A growing number of workers across sectors plan their career abroad. They are less inclined to return home and more likely to relocate.While expatriate employees are a key asset for organisations operating across countries, providing them with adequate benefits can be challenging. ...
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Opinion
Pride - Overconfidence comes before a fall
By Mike Turner, Investment Solutions, Aberdeen Asset ManagementThis article expands on the seventh of Mike Turner's Seven Deadly Sins, which was first published in booklet form in January 2014.Frankfurt, March 1995. German police officers pace up and down the tarmac of Frankfurt Airport. Disembarking from a plane, Nick Leeson is ...
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Opinion
Gluttony - When it comes to information, less is very often more
By Mike Turner, Investment Solutions, Aberdeen Asset ManagementThis article expands on the second of Mike Turner's Seven Deadly Sins, which was first published in booklet form in January 2014.Have you ever gone shopping only to be bewildered by the numerous options available? You¹d like a new TV but which brand? ...
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Opinion
02 Sponsor's comment - Stuart Bennett: Engaging technology
Technology has transformed the way we live. Tablets and smartphones have overtaken laptops and desktops as the device of choice when browsing the internet, increasing the expectation of easily accessible information and data whenever we want, on whatever device.With the growth of smartphone and tablet capabilities, people now have technology ...
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OpinionLovewell's Logic: Striking the right work-life balance
The Britain at work report by communications consultancy Lansons also found that a high proportion of respondents regularly put in more than their required hours, with 50% working up to an extra hour each day and 28% working for one to two hours past their set working time.Most of us ...
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OpinionShaun Davis: How can employers provide support for mental wellbeing?
Having the right support to maintain positive mental health, and feeling confident to talk openly about the issue is critical for our wellbeing.On behalf of Business in the Community’s Wellbeing at Work movement, I recently hosted a discussion with former cabinet secretary Lord Gus O’Donnell considering the steps that employers ...
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OpinionLovewell's Logic: Is there a solution to gender pay inequality?
The last two weeks alone have seen reports of: A 21% pay gap between male and female general marketeers (Econsultancy’s Salary survey 2015 report: digital specialists vs general marketeers).A 51% gender pay gap for health professionals in the top 20% salary bracket (Analysis by Michael Page, based on the Office ...
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OpinionLovewell's Logic: Shopping around on pension charges
And you only have to type ‘getting the best deal’ into Google to bring up pages of websites dedicated to tips on how to shop around most effectively.But it seems that this isn’t the case in all markets. Sometimes charges can be so complex and vary so greatly that comparison ...
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OpinionKatie Davies: Hypothetical tax and calculating fair compensation for expatriate employees
These multiple tax obligations are, of course, inconvenient for expatriate employees. More importantly, though, these obligations may result in significant employee financial losses, or sometimes even gains.Many multinationals have tax-equalisation policies to account for these tax differentials. These policies seek to remove any tax-related advantage or disadvantage that could affect ...
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OpinionLovewell's Logic: Are staff engaging with pension freedoms?
Before the reforms came into effect, there was a great deal of speculation (particularly in the mainstream media) that many scheme members would cash in their entire pension savings.According to research by BlackRock, this has proved to be the case. Its study of more than 1,000 people aged 55 or ...
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OpinionLovewell's Logic: Extending support for working mothers
My first thought when I read this was how great it is to see an organisation really taking strides to go the extra mile in its support for working mothers. Leaving a child to travel on business can be difficult enough as it is, even more so if a mother ...
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OpinionMaking the most of tax-free mileage allowances
Whenever the subject of tax-efficient car benefits comes up these days, people naturally think of salary sacrifice.However, there are other travel-related areas where employers and business drivers can maximise the value of tax reliefs and allowances. For instance, anyone who receives a cash allowance in lieu of a company car ...
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OpinionEffective financial education for those considering retirement
The most radical pensions overhaul in nearly a century has arrived. These changes offer employees in a defined contribution (DC) scheme who are aged 55 or over greater flexibility in how to access their pension. But without the right financial education, employees could be left incredibly vulnerable to making poor ...
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OpinionLovewell's logic: How much freedom should employers give staff?
In it, the agency’s co-founder Jenny Biggam explained why the organisation has done away with a number of typical workplace conventions in order to give its staff greater freedom. This includes doing away with job titles and enabling staff to contribute their skills in order to shape the company; flexible-working ...