All articles by Robert Crawford – Page 28

  • Office-Fort-2014
    Article

    Cardboard forts could boost motivation

    2014-09-05T05:00:00Z

    Something for the weekend…Everyone knows that a happy employee is a productive employee and that improving the working environment can help to boost staff motivation.Some employees, however, seem to be taking it into their own hands to boost their enthusiasm and productivity by locking themselves away in their own little ...

  • EB-Online-Sept-2014
    Article

    Top 10 most read stories this week

    2014-09-05T04:55:00Z

    The top 10 most read articles on employeebenefits.co.uk from 28 August to 4 September:1. Dixons Carphone looks to harmonise benefits 2. What is the real take-up of flexible benefits? 3. Tui Travel engages staff with non-cash reward 4. Should employers incentivise employees to keep healthy? 5. Could desk-top microwave damage ...

  • Cahill-Stephen-Deloitte-2013
    Article

    75% of FTSE 100 have changed remuneration arrangements

    2014-09-04T11:03:00Z

    Three-quarters (75%) of FTSE 100 organisations have made changes to their remuneration arrangements in the past 12 months, according to research by Deloitte.Its annual survey on FTSE 100 directors’ remuneration found that employers are amending their arrangements as they respond to shareholder expectations and the government’s new rules on disclosure ...

  • EpwinGroup-Product-2014
    Article

    Epwin Group saves £213,000 with workplace savings platform

    2014-09-03T11:00:00Z

    EXCLUSIVE: Epwin Group has saved more than £213,000 a year in fees and national insurance contributions (NICs) following the launch of its workplace savings platform.The platform, provided by Hargreaves Lansdown, includes access to a self-invested personal pension (Sipp), independent savings account and investment account.Since the building products provider launched the ...

  • Pension pot
    Article

    49% of Britons claim not to have a pension

    2014-09-02T10:59:00Z

    Nearly half (49%) of respondents say they do not have any kind of pension, according to research by the Chartered Institute of Payroll Professionals (CIPP).Its Saving for retirement research, which surveyed 2,000 people, found that only 32% of respondents have a pension scheme offered via their employer, while 8% of ...

  • Cary Cooper - Lancaster
    Analysis

    Should employers incentivise employees to keep healthy?

    2014-09-01T15:00:00Z

    If you read nothing else, read this…Employers could incentivise to encourage staff to lead healthier lifestyles.29% of employee respondents would be comfortable if their employer incentivised for living more healthily (Towers Watson).Incentivising employees is a common theme among US-based employers.Employers could incentivise to encourage behaviours in employees such as quitting ...

  • Case Studies

    Hallmark Cards incentivises healthy behaviours

    2014-09-01T15:00:00Z

    Hallmark Cards has seen a number of improvements in workforce health over the past three years, since embarking on its programme to engage and educate employees to achieve healthier outcomes.The organisation introduced a financial incentive plan for employee wellbeing in 2011, using its business-to-business subsidiary Hallmark Business Connections, which runs ...

  • Employers launch flexible working forum
    Article

    90% believe flexible working boosts employee morale

    2014-09-01T10:29:00Z

    Nine out of ten (90%) respondents say that offering flexible working arrangements is an effective way of improving employee morale and helping staff to achieve a better work-life balance, according to research by global workspace provider Regus.Its research, which surveyed more than 2,200 business owners and senior managers, also found ...

  • EmployeeBenefits-FleetManagement-Sept2014-620
    Analysis

    What are the current trends in fleet funding?

    2014-09-01T00:00:00Z

    If you read nothing else, read this…There are six types of funding options available to employers to fund company cars.Contract hire is the most popular of these and is often used for salary sacrifice arrangements.Employers are opting for a combination of funding methods to offer more choice to employees.Organisations are ...

  • HyderConsulting-Employees-2014
    Article

    Hyder Consulting launches online total reward statements

    2014-09-01T00:00:00Z

    Hyder Consulting has launched online total reward statements for its 1,000 employees.The statements will be made available via the multinational design and engineering consultancy’s benefits portal HyFlex, which will give employees a summary of what the organisation provides staff.The launch of total reward statements aims to raise awareness and engagement ...

  • EmployeeBenefits-University-of Reading-620
    Case Studies

    University of Reading launches salary sacrifice car scheme

    2014-09-01T00:00:00Z

    The University of Reading launched a salary sacrifice car leasing scheme in June to help improve its employee benefits package.The university decided on a leasing arrangement, underpinned by contract hire, because of its low cost and the ability to offer employees a fully maintained car.Claire Eckett, HR manager, rewards and ...

  • Cracknell-Michelle-TPAS-2013
    Analysis

    How to make pensions a building block in an employee's savings strategy

    2014-09-01T00:00:00Z

    If you read nothing else, read this…A number of employees say they will increase pension contributions after the 2014 Budget reforms (Towers Watson).Employers could use pay rises and employees’ birthdays to drop hints about pension savings.Other savings tools, such as an Isa or a Sipp, can help boost pension contributions.Financial ...

  • Pattonair-healthcare-award-2014
    Article

    Pattonair recognised for health and wellbeing benefits

    2014-09-01T00:00:00Z

    Pattonair has been recognised for its commitment to the healthcare and wellbeing of its 900 employees. The aerospace and defence supply chain service provider has received a Simplyhealth Healthy Workplace award, which recognises the organisation’s health and wellbeing initiatives and benefits.Pattonair offers an employer-funded health cash plan, provided by SimplyHealth, ...

  • father and baby
    Article

    Partners given rights to attend antenatal appointments

    2014-09-01T00:00:00Z

    Employees who are expectant fathers, or the partner of a pregnant woman, will have the right to take unpaid time off work to attend antenatal appointments from 1 October 2014.Employees accompanying the expectant mother to antenatal appointments will be entitled to unpaid leave for one or two appointments.The time off ...

  • Article

    American Express and Barclays are top employers for working families

    2014-09-01T00:00:00Z

    American Express, Barclays and Centrica are among the top employers that have been awarded for their benefits and policies to support working parents.The Top Employers for Working Families Benchmark, founded by charity Working Families, recognises employers that support parents, carers, flexible working, work-life balance and career development.The highest-scoring entrants are ...

  • EmployeeBenefits-PensionsAdmin-Sept2014-620
    Analysis

    What is paid for in contract-based pensions administration?

    2014-09-01T00:00:00Z

    If you read nothing else, read this…In a contract-based pension scheme, administration will be performed by the plan provider.Pension administration includes collecting and allocating contributions, handling compliance and providing annual statements.Typically, an annual management charge (AMC) covers the costs of administration.The costs relating to pensions administration, and their disclosure, have ...

  • Graves-Lynn-ScottishWidows-2013
    Article

    Half of lower earners saving adequately for retirement

    2014-09-01T00:00:00Z

    Half of UK employees on lower incomes are saving enough for retirement compared to 34% in 2012, according to research by Scottish Widows.Its annual Workplace pensions report, which surveyed 5,200 employees, found that those earning between £10,000 and £30,000 a year are now saving adequately for retirement since the introduction ...

  • Blake Mike - PMI
    Article

    77% cannot afford to live on statutory sick pay

    2014-09-01T00:00:00Z

    More than three-quarters (77%) of employee respondents would not be able to afford to maintain a living on statutory sick pay if their income stopped tomorrow, according to research by PMI Health Group.Its research, which surveyed more than 600 UK employees in full or part-time work, found that nearly half ...

  • Thumbnail
    Article

    6% plan to take entire pension pot as cash

    2014-09-01T00:00:00Z

    Just 6% of respondents are planning to take their entire pension pot as a cash lump sum at retirement once the new pension reforms come into force next year, according to research by Fidelity Worldwide Investment.Its Class of 2015 report, which surveyed 500 employees planning to retire between April 2015 ...

  • Working Mother
    Article

    44% of working mums would consider shared parental leave

    2014-09-01T00:00:00Z

    More than two-fifths (44%) of working mums would consider sharing their maternity leave with their partner once shared parental leave comes into effect in 2015, according to research by Workingmums.co.ukIts annual survey, which questioned 2,390 working mums, found that this number has risen by 3% since 2013.The research also found ...