All articles by Rebecca Patton – Page 9
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Article
Employers paying more for finance professionals
Employers are paying more to attract highly skilled finance professionals due to increased demand, according to research by Robert Half UK.The 2013 Robert Half salary guide found that, despite stagnation in the general job market, accounting and finance professionals are in high demand.More than three-quarters (78%) of the UK chief ...
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Article
Master Trust Association launched
A Master Trust Association (MTA) has been launched in an effort to provide best practice, awareness and standards of governance for the master trust community.The association has set out its aims, which include improving and maintaining standards, providing a unified voice for master trust providers, promoting the benefits of master ...
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Article
Top earners' pay has doubled over 25 years
The real earnings of the top 1% of earners in the UK has doubled over the last 25 years, increasing by around 117%, according to research by the Office for National Statistics (ONS).The research also found that the bottom 1% of UK earners experienced a real wage growth of 70% ...
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Article
Extra benefits may be preferable to small pay rise
Nearly three-quarters (74%) of respondents would consider offering additional staff benefits instead of a small pay rise, according to research by Jelf Employee Benefits.The survey, carried out at the organisation’s annual health and wellbeing forum in October, found nearly three-quarters (74%) of respondents would consider giving employees extra benefits in ...
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Article
Commerzbank to appeal bonus ruling
Commerzbank is to challenge a High Court ruling that it should pay bankers a share of €400 million in bonuses.The legal claim was launched by 104 bankers from Dresdner Kleinwort Investment Bank (DKIB) after it was sold to Commerzbank in 2009.According to the bankers, senior managers at DKIB announced a ...
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Opinion
Elizabeth Parkin: Maternity leave issues
Many employers struggle to fully understand their obligations to pregnant women. Misunderstanding legal duties may lead to employment tribunal claims which can be expensive to settle, not to mention the unwelcome possibility of negative publicity.Part of the problem for employers is the extensive legislation which includes rights to:paid time off ...
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Article
RTI pilot expands
The real-time information (RTI) pilot is to expand between 6 November 2012 and 31 March 2013 with the addition of 250,000 employers.The pilot was launched in April 2012 with 10 employers reporting pay-as-you-earn (PAYE) information in real time to HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC).Ruth Owen, director general, personal tax at ...
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Article
Consultation could increase local authority pensions' investment in infrastructure
Government proposals could lead to up to £45 billion in local authority pension fund investments being used to fund infrastructure projects, such as building homes and high-speed railways.Proposals outlined in the Local government pension scheme: investments in partnerships consultation could allow councils to double the amount they are able to ...
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Article
Stress is top health risk to employers
Stress among employees is considered the top health risk to organisations, according to research by group risk industry trade body, Group Risk Development (Grid).Its Group risk employer research study, which surveyed 500 employers in October, found that 21% of respondents named stress and mental health issues as the number one ...
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Article
Offshore payroll firms may create NI liabilities
UK employers that use temporary workers who are employed by offshore payroll organisations must be aware they could be liable for employer national insurance contributions (NICs).Offshore payroll companies do not need to pay NICs for their employees because the company is not resident in the UK. However, organisations that use ...
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Article
Tax rule changes can cause reporting errors
Changing rules around the tax treatment of benefits, and a failure to implement effective policies, processes and systems, are the most common causes of errors on employers’ end-of-year benefits tax returns.These could result in penalties for organisations.Richard Webb, tax director at Grant Thornton, said employers must be aware of these ...
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Article
DB pension deficits hamper investment
High levels of defined benefit (DB) pension scheme deficits are hampering organisations in investing in their businesses, according to research by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) and Mercer.The Living with defined benefit pension risk report, which surveyed finance directors and other senior leaders on DB ...
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Article
High Court rules benefit take up seals employment contract
Employees who take up a benefit, offered specifically to a person in their position in the company, will be held to the terms of their employment contract, even if they have not signed the contract.The High Court ruled that if an employee uses a benefit, which is offered under their ...
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Article
Chinese air force helps recruits find love
Something for the weekend …Success at work could mean a pat on the back from the boss or even a bonus at the end of the year, but in the Chinese air force it could mean finding the love of your life.The People’s Army rewarded 150 air force recruits, who ...
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Article
Domestic and General offers staff flu jabs
Domestic and General has offered staff at its Nottingham contact centre nurse-administered flu vaccinations in an effort to tackle sickness absence.The organisation provided 150 jabs on a first-come, first-served basis for the second year running. The offer was communicated to employees using emails, line managers and posters in employee break ...
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Article
Prudential partners Nest and Now: Pensions
Prudential UK has partnered with the National employment savings trust (Nest) and Now: Pensions to offer pension auto-enrolment options to employers.The financial services provider is working with Nest and Now Pensions to provide organisations with diverse workforces the option of a dual-scheme approach to complying with auto-enrolment.David Caw, head of ...
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Article
Lloyds launches online support to working parents
Lloyds Banking Group has launched an e-learning programme for employees that take maternity, paternity and adoption leave.The programme includes modules on preparing for maternity or adoption, maternity and adoption leave, and a post-maternity module for employees returning to work. There is also a module for male employees taking paternity leave.The ...
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Article
Total People wins NIC motor mileage case
Total People has won an appeal to overturn an Upper Tribunal decision made in favour of HM Revenue and Customs over motor mileage national insurance (NI) claims.The case relates to a NI claim made by the organisation based on the difference between HMRC’s 40p per mile allowance rate and the ...
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Article
Unilever awarded top family-friendly employer
Unilever has been recognised as the top employer for family-friendly working in Workingmums.co.uk’s Top Employer Awards.The multinational consumer goods company was praised for its policies that encourage female career progression and flexible working.The Top Employer Awards celebrate organisations that promote family-friendly working practices.The winners were:Innovation in flexible working – Unilever.Employee ...
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Article
Fire authority to launch salary sacrifice car scheme
Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service will launch a salary sacrifice car scheme as part of its flexible benefits plan.The scheme allows eligible employees to exchange a portion of their salary in return for a new car package. It is focused on low-emission and fuel-efficient cars.Mydrian Harries, head ...