All articles by Robert Crawford – Page 9
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ArticleEAT rules controlled type 2 diabetes is not a disability
The Employment Appeal Tribunal (EAT) has ruled that type 2 diabetes which is controlled by diet and does not have a substantial adverse effect on an employee’s day-to-day activities does not amount to disability discrimination.In the case of Metroline Travel v Stoute, the claimant was a bus driver who suffered ...
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ArticleHalf of savers miss tell-tale signs of pension scams
More than half of pension scheme savers aged over 50 are missing tell-tale signs of potential scams and risky investments, according to research by Zurich.Its survey of 1,011 people in defined contribution (DC) pension schemes found that 38% of respondents would not be suspicious of an unsolicited letter, while 22% ...
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ArticleKPMG and Santander top employers for women
KPMG, Santander and Marks and Spencer are among the employers that have been named in The Times’ Top 50 Employers for Women 2015.The list, which is compiled in partnership with Opportunity Now the gender equality campaign from Business in the Community, identifies and celebrates employers that can demonstrate best practice ...
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Article
HSBC increases financial education provision
HSBC is increasing the financial education available to its 45,000 UK employees ahead of changes to its pensions schemes due to come into effect in July. The banking firm’s programme, KnowYou, which launched in 2013, aims to educate employees about its operational changes.Its strategy is to focus on education and ...
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ArticleEmployers not required to create ideal job for returning employee
The Employment Appeals Tribunal (EAT) has ruled that employers are not always required to make reasonable adjustments and create the ideal job for an employee returning from sickness absence. In the case of Makuchova v Guoman Hotel Management, Makuchova claimed that no adjustments were made to help her return to ...
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ArticleEmployees keen to cash in or drawdown pension pots
Savers looking to access their pension pots following the introduction of the new pension freedoms on 6 April are more likely to take savings as cash or go into drawdown, according to early analysis by several pension providers.Fidelity Retirement Services found that, from around 200 calls, a quarter of people ...
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ArticleMoog Controls boosts pensions engagement
Moog Controls has boosted pensions engagement by more than 150% through its bespoke financial education workshops.The manufacturer of precision motion controls organisation, which helped design the Wimbledon electric roof, focused its education on helping employees make more informed investment decisions.It ran four interactive pilot workshops, provided by Jelf Employee Benefits, ...
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ArticleScottish Power increases benefits engagement
EXCLUSIVE: Scottish Power has increased employee engagement with benefits after switching from online to paper-based total reward statements.Since the launch of its paper statements in November 2014, 70% of the energy firm’s employees either strongly agreed or agreed that they appreciated the benefits offered by their employer.More than 70% of ...
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ArticleNews UK and Sony awarded for pensions quality
Jobs and Business Glasgow, News UK and Sony UK are among the organisations that have been awarded the Pension Quality Mark (PQM) in recognition of the quality of their defined contribution (DC) pension schemes. Sony UK has achieved the PQM Plus award for its scheme’s contribution rates, good governance and ...
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ArticleArup boosts benefits take up among generation Y staff
EXCLUSIVE: Arup has seen increased take up of the benefits it offers to cater for generation Y employees.The organisation takes on around 200 to 300 graduates a year, which has changed what employees want from the firm.As a result, the professional services firm has seen take up of new benefits, ...
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Article82% of savers positive about pension reforms but worry about risks
More than four-fifths (82%) of employees are positive about the imminent pension reforms which come into effect on 6 April, but many remain worried about the risks attached, according to research by the National Association of Pension Funds (NAPF).Its Understanding retirement research, which surveyed 850 savers aged 55-70, found that ...
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Article32% will not have sufficient pension pot by age 65
Almost a third (32%) of respondents believe they will not have a sufficient pension pot to fund their retirement by the age of 65, according to research by Canada Life Group Insurance. Its research, which surveyed more than 850 employees, found that 14% intend to continue working past the traditional ...
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Article
Workplace financial education grows by 121%
EXCLUSIVE: The proportion of respondents that offer, are in the process of introducing or are considering offering financial education in the workplace has risen by 121% in the past year, according to research by Nudge Global. Its Financial education the definitive guide 2015 report, which surveyd 252 HR and benefits ...
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ArticleVote for Employee Benefits at Towers Watson Media Awards
Employee Benefits has been nominated for the Best Pensions/Benefits Publication of Year Award at the 2015 Towers Watson Media Awards. The awards recognise excellence in business journalism and this year we would like readers to register their vote to give Employee Benefits magazine the best chance to gain industry recognition ...
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ArticleAuto enrolment opt-out rates remain low among new recruits
Auto-enrolment opt-out rates have remained low among employees recruited after large employers began complying with the legislation, according to research by consultancy Towers Watson.Its FTSE 350 defined contribution pension survey, which analyses the changes and trends in pension provision among the 350 largest UK-listed organisations, found that the average opt-out ...
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ArticleEmployee Benefits Awards 2015 shortlist announced
BNP Paribas, BT Group, Clifford Chance, EE, Lidl and Universal Music Group are among the employers shortlisted for the Employee Benefits Awards 2015.In total, there are 24 categories, which will award employers that have excelled in a number of areas of employee benefits including pensions, healthcare, flexible benefits, communication and ...
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AnalysisHow to review a pensions governance policy
If you read nothing else, read this…A pensions governance policy is key to ensuring employers comply with their workplace pension duties.A governance policy can cover scheme administration, contribution payments, communications and legal issues.Employers should review a governance policy to make sure a scheme provides the best outcomes for members.In January, ...
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ArticleVodafone pioneers global maternity policy
With effect from last month, the multinational telecommunications group will offer staff 16 weeks’ fully paid maternity leave to help retain talented and experienced female staff.New mothers will also receive full pay for working a reduced 30-hour week for the first six months after they return to work.The policy, which ...
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Case StudiesPeel Ports Group creates own governance committee
The committee holds quarterly meetings that include input from its pension scheme provider Aegon, as well as its consultancy Aon Hewitt.There are regular items on the agenda that include ensuring the scheme is run effectively, investment management, administration and scheme performance.It measures all elements of good governance against a score ...
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ArticleA guide to tax-efficient benefits
If you read nothing else, read this. .. There are a number of individual tax rules for all tax-efficient benefits. Changes to pensions and childcare vouchers affect their tax position and how employees take the benefits. New tax rules apply to employee share schemes.There is a growing list of tax- ...