All articles by Sam Barrett – Page 10
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AnalysisHow to incorporate fitness into the workplace
Need to know:Employers should avoid the word ‘fitness’ because it can put off less-active employees; think ‘activity’ instead.A programme that is habit forming, such as a walking challenge or stair prompts, helps engage employees in health and wellbeing.Programmes can be made fun by including an element of competition, and a ...
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AnalysisGetting the balance right in a technology-dominated world
Need to know:An employer could draw up technology etiquette covering areas such as the time emails can be sent and when employees can log on to help create a healthy work-life balance.Employers could use a variety of communication methods, including more traditional presentations, desk drops and brochures alongside benefits portals ...
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Case StudiesAlfresco uses on and offline channels to engage staff with benefits
Alfresco is a content and business process management organisation employing around 400 people in 13 countries around the world, including the UK, where its Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) headquarters are based. It provides its employees with a benefits package, including medical and dental insurance, childcare vouchers, group income ...
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Case StudiesAllpay encourages breaks away from technology
Technology is a key part of the working day at payments specialist Allpay. The organisation, which employs around 300 people, provides a range of services, including bill payment, prepaid cards and cashless payment systems. Ensuring staff take regular time away from technology, therefore, is actively encouraged throughout the organisation.Steve Foulger, ...
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Case StudiesZurich takes a country-specific approach to staff health and wellbeing
Global insurer Zurich employs around 55,000 people in more than 170 countries. Although it has a global strategy to create an environment where employees feel their health and wellbeing is supported by the organisation, the delivery of this is very much determined by the specifics of each country.Georgina Farrell, head ...
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AnalysisHow to address local healthcare needs across a global workforce
Need to know:Local differences including state healthcare provision, insurance regulations and culture will affect how a global health and wellbeing strategy is applied in different countries.As well as improving employee health, global wellbeing challenges can encourage greater teamwork and underline the organisation’s commitment to its workforce.Language differences and regional events ...
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Case StudiesFleetmatics uses data to revise health and wellbeing strategy
The power of data is well understood by Fleetmatics, a global organisation specialising in developing fleet management software. But, when Michael Arkins joined as HR manager in 2012, the organisation was failing to take full advantage of its own data. “A mixture of spreadsheets and forms were being used to ...
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AnalysisHow employee health data can help inform an absence management strategy
Need to know:Employers can look for patterns in their data, including higher levels of absence in a particular department or spikes in certain types of absence.They can investigate instances where an employee has higher absence rates because this could be caused by illness or personal issues such as elder care, ...
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Case StudiesMartin Currie offers greater savings flexibility with new platform
Offering employees greater flexibility around how they save and broader access to the fund market were the key reasons behind investment management firm Martin Currie’s decision to introduce a workplace savings platform in 2013.Craig Gibson, head of reward, explains: “We offer all our employees membership of our self-invested personal pension ...
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AnalysisHow integrated to the workplace should an employee’s finances be?
If you read nothing else, read this…Workplace savings platforms allow employees to bring together their financial products to give them an overview and insight into their wealth.While some platforms offer access to a range of savings and investment products, others allow employees to pull together different products, including current accounts, ...
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Case StudiesMonster introduces workplace savings platform to help staff understanding of finances
When recruitment firm Monster started preparing for auto-enrolment, its senior director for human resources, Claire Lock, got a bit of a shock.“We’d been offering a generous pension scheme but only 41% of staff had signed up,” she explains. “Employees didn’t really understand its value or the implications of not saving ...
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AnalysisHow can the workplace motivate staff?
If you read nothing else, read this….A well-designed workplace can support employee wellbeing, enhance productivity, and help to attract and retain key personnel. Adequate lighting, space and temperature control are employees’ must-haves in a workplace.Involve employees: by understanding what matters to them and what they need, changes are more likely ...
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Case StudiesK&L Gates redesigns workplace to motivate staff
Before moving into its offices in London’s One New Change in 2011, legal firm K&L Gates’ 250 London employees were based in an 11-storey building on Cannon Street, with each floor housing a different department.Tony Griffiths, administrative partner at K&L Gates, explains: “The way the office was set out meant ...
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AnalysisIs the Fit for Work service working for employers?
If you read nothing else, read this…The Fit for Work service began its phased roll-out in December 2014. It offers health information and advice to employers and staff, as well as a referral for a health assessment for employees who are off work.The service has received mixed reviews, but is ...
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Analysis
41, 42 How to integrate group risk benefits into a serious illness strategy
If you read nothing else, read this…Health screening can help control the cost of private medical insurance.Second-opinion medical services can result in a change of treatment or diagnosis.Group income protection can support an employee’s return to work on a part-time basis or into a lower-paid position.While a key part of ...
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Analysis
42, 43, 44 - Special report: A best practice guide for mental health management in the workplace
If you read nothing else, read this….Mental health problems can be a major financial drain on an employer, leading to increased absence, presenteeism and health insurance costs, as well as risking litigation and reputational damage.Training can help line managers identify the early signs of a mental health problem and signpost ...
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Analysis55, 56, Buyer’s guide to group dental plans
But, with several different plan designs and many levels of cover available, selecting one that best suits a workforce can boost the benefits for employers.Figures from LaingBuisson’s annual Health cover UK market report (12th edition), published in July 2014, show that sales of corporate dental cover continue to grow. It ...
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AnalysisTop tips on how to cut the cost of group income protection
If you read nothing else, read this…The design of group income protection (GIP) schemes can be tweaked to provide a valuable benefit but at a cheaper price for employers.Using added-value services can save money on the cost of providing the benefit.The benefit should be promoted to staff to ensure a ...
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AnalysisBuyer’s guide to corporate eyecare
Traditionally seen as a means to meet an organisation’s duty-of-care requirements, the popularity of eyecare schemes means that more employers are looking to make them part of their package of health and wellbeing benefits.A regular eye test can help employees look after many different aspects of their health. As well ...
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ArticleBuyer's guide to group income protection 2015
The factsWhat is group income protection?Group income protection (GIP) provides an income to an employee when they are unable to work as a result of an illness or injury. Payment normally starts after a waiting period, typically six months, and can continue until the employee returns to work or, if ...