All articles by Robert Crawford – Page 32
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Article
What are collective defined contribution pension schemes?
New definitions will be added to the current legislative framework for CDC schemes to provide a wider choice of pension schemes, encourage greater risk and enable savers to have more certainty about their retirement savings. CDC schemes were first suggested in the government’s consultation paper, Reshaping workplace pensions for future ...
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Article
Costs and charges top driver of pension provider selection
Nearly two-thirds (65%) of pension scheme members cited the level of costs and charges as the most important factors for employers when choosing a pension provider, according to research by the National Association of Pension Funds (NAPF).Its What do pension scheme members expect of how their savings are invested? research, ...
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Article
Oscar Mayer re-engages staff with cash plan
EXCLUSIVE: Oscar Mayer is re-engaging employees in its health cash plan following 10 years with its provider Bupa.At the end of July, the food manufacturer ran promotional campaigns and competitions for staff across its three sites in Kent, North Wales and Somerset to boost engagement. Some 85% of its 1,600 ...
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Analysis
Top ways to save on car running costs
If you read nothing else, read this…Savings can be made by choosing the right cars to offer employees.Fuel is the biggest area where savings can be made.Car telematics can monitor how employees drive.Driver training can teach staff driving techniques that can save on costs such as fuel. Short and long-term ...
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Article
HMRC to raise bonus rates for sharesave schemes
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is to increase the bonus rates payable on five-year sharesave schemes.A new bonus rate of 0.6 times monthly contributions and an annual equivalent rate of 0.39% will be applied to these schemes from 28 July 2014.This is the first time a bonus rate will be ...
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Article
Queen's Speech legislative changes that impact benefits
The Queen confirmed that the Pensions Tax Bill will offer greater flexibility to defined contribution (DC) pension schemes.From April 2015, the legislation will remove previous restrictions on the way employees can access their DC pension savings, allowing them to access savings as a lump sum, through drawdown or by converting ...
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Article
Guide Dogs Association launches salary sacrifice cars
The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association has launched a salary sacrifice car scheme for 1,200 eligible employees.The UK-wide charity has signed a four-year contract with Leasedrive, which will supply its Mycar scheme to the organisation.As a registered charity, Guide Dogs is also able to make use of the benefits ...
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Case Studies
Asda makes savings with company car scheme
The retailer has more than 150,000 staff and introducing the scheme, provided by Zenith, has helped the organisation and its employees to save on car running costs.To date, Asda has saved about £6,000 per company car compared to the cost of providing a cash allowance. Savings are made on fuel, ...
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Article
49% are satisfied with their benefits package
Nearly half (49%) of employee respondents are satisfied with their benefits packages, according to research by Thomsons Online Benefits.The role of benefits in retaining and protecting your best talent report, which surveyed more than 450 organisations representing more than 1.2 million employees, found that 29% of employee respondents felt they ...
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Article
£2.85bn awarded to staff via share plans in 2012/13
The total value of shares and options awarded through employee share plans in 2012/13 was £2.85 billion, according to figures by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC).Its Employee share schemes statistics for 2012-13 report, which covers the 2012/13 tax year, found that this was 7% higher than in 2011/12 across the ...
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Article
DHL Express launches online benefits portal
EXCLUSIVE: DHL Express has launched an online benefits portal to pool its benefits in one place.The portal, which was launched in May, is available to the logistic organisation’s 3,200 employees in its Express division.The portal, called DHL Box Clever, includes access to retail discounts and tax-efficient benefits, such as childcare ...
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Article
US World Cup coach writes absence note for fans
Something for the weekend…With World Cup fever still gripping some nations, employers in these regions will no doubt be keeping a close eye on employees’ attendance levels, particularly during important fixtures.But Americans fans wishing to watch yesterday’s group match, which kicked off at midday EST (5pm BST), may have been ...
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Article
Top 10 most read stories this week
The top 10 most read articles on employeebenefits.co.uk from 19-26 June:1. Consumer Rights Bill to impact salary sacrifice benefits 2. Gamification in pensions communication 3. BBC improves flex take up with health benefits 4. What is driving demand for eldercare as a workplace benefit? 5. Mercer to acquire stake in ...
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Case Studies
EY tackles staff burnout with new wellbeing initiative
Its latest initiative, Health EY, which was launched in February 2014, has a strong focus on mental wellbeing, which it believes is the biggest cause for concern within the organisation.Health EY includes the introduction of mental health first-aiders across the organisation. These are employees that will be trained to act ...
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Analysis
How to manage workplace burnout
If you read nothing else, read this…Workplace burnout is often perceived to have a stigma attached.It exists at all levels of employment.Employers can furnish staff with techniques to manage burnout.Line managers should be trained to discuss burnout with staff.High-profile sports stars and celebrities openly admitting they are suffering from such ...
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Article
IOP Publishing launches occupational health service
EXCLUSIVE: IOP Publishing has launched an occupational health service for its Bristol-based 300 employees.The media organisation will offer staff a medical referral and consultation service, provided by occupational health provider Work Doctors.Employees will also receive an annual flu jab to help them take preventative action against seasonal viruses.The launch of ...
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Article
John Lewis cleaners not paid the living wage
John Lewis Partnership has come under fire after an online petition highlighted that its 3,000 contracted cleaning staff do not receive the living wage.A change.org petition, which asks the retailer to pay the living wage of £8.80 in London and £7.65 in the rest of the UK, has received 50,000 ...
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Article
Stagecoach re-launches bikes for work
Stagecoach Group has re-launched its bikes-for-work scheme for 23,000 employees across its UK bus divisions.More than 1,500 employees in the organisation’s UK bus division signed up for the benefit when it was first launched in 2012.The re-launch coincides with National Bike Week, which runs from 14 to 22 June.The bikes-for-work ...
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Article
Benefits for Bob the security robot
Something for the weekend…Security guards could be given a new protection benefit in the form of an autonomous robot.Security firm G4S is helping its guards by employing Bob the robot to support the team during its patrols.Bob’s responsibilities include gathering information about the environment to detect movement, checking that doors ...