All articles by Sam Barrett – Page 12
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Analysis
Group risk roundtable: Economic influences on stress
If you read nothing else, read this… Stress is now the number one cause of long-term absence, according to the CIPD. Employers are concerned about presenteeism, whereby employees are remaining at work when they are ill because of fears about job security. Problems outside the workplace are a significant cause ...
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Article
Top tips for reward and benefits career progression
If you read nothing else, read this… A successful reward career often depends on adopting a fresh approach. As well as getting to grips with an organisation’s broad business priorities, it is also important to understand its culture. To reach the top, reward professionals must be approachable and able to ...
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Analysis
Group risk roundtable: Increasing the value of group risk benefits
If you read nothing else, read this... Group risk benefits can provide valuable services, such as HR support. Group risk provision should be promoted in terms of health andwellbeing support, rather than absence insurance. Increased take-up of group risk benefits will drive down premiums.Group risk benefits have become far more ...
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Analysis
Group risk roundtable: Catering for an ageing workforce
If you read nothing else, read this… Half of over-50s have a chronic health condition and, although this might not affect their ability to work, employers will need to consider making adjustments to accommodate them in the workplace. On average, older people take less short-term sickness absence than their younger ...
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Analysis
Group risk roundtable: Dealing with absence
If you read nothing else, read this… Line managers can be trained to identify the early warning signs of illness, but employers must ensure they do not overburden them with responsibility. Creating the right culture using wellness days and stress awareness training can help build more resilient employees and reduce ...
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Case Studies
Incisive Media finds a balance on healthcare overseas
With offices in locations such as Hong Kong, New York and Singapore, it is not surprising that overseas assignments are high on the agenda of the benefits team at business-to-business publisher, Incisive Media.Although it is essential to look after employees’ health and wellbeing wherever they are, international medical insurance is ...
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Analysis
Building a PMI plan for expatriates that complements state provision
If you read nothing else, read this… Making use of state healthcare and local provision where possible for expatriate staff can help to reduce the cost of providing international medical insurance, but it can add complexity. Depending on where staff travel and the duration of their time abroad, another option ...
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Analysis
Financial Education: The employer's role in financial education
If you read nothing else, read this... A combination of information, education and advice can be the most effective way to improve employees' financial awareness. Although most employees can benefit from financial education, only a small percentage will require additional financial advice.Organisational activities and events such as changing the pension ...
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Article
Buyer's guide to employee assistance programmes 2012
Focus on factsWhat is an employee assistance programme (EAP)?An EAP is a worksite-focused programme designed to provide confidential information, support and counselling to employees with personal and work-related problems.Support is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, by telephone, although increasingly EAP providers are also providing their services ...
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Analysis
Voluntary benefits: Give workers what they really want
If you read nothing else, read this . . .When offering voluntary benefits schemes, employers must ensure they remain relevant to employees’ requirements.A good understanding of an organisation’s employee demographic is important to make sure benefits appeal to staff.Focus groups can help make benefits schemes more targeted by finding out ...
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Case Studies
Case study: IAG ensures staff get discount message
Like many other employers, insurance group IAG (UK) has been seeing much more use of its voluntary benefits scheme in the current economic climate. Ricky D’Ash, remuneration specialist at the firm, says: “We’ve got more and more spend going through the portal. It is at an all-time high.”As well as ...
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Analysis
Sickness absence: Fit notes not best medicine
If you read nothing else, read this … Fit notes are seen as a positive step, but HR professionals are finding they add little to managing sickness absence. More GP training on occupational health is needed to make fit notes a more useful sickness absence management tool. Government-funded mediators could ...
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Analysis
Sickness absence: New plans in older era
If you read nothing else, read this . . . Older people tend to take fewer absences but can be off for longer. Wellness initiatives may need to be targeted at particular staff segments. Employers should ensure their healthcare perks are relevant for an older workforce.†With no default retirement age, ...
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Analysis
Sickness absence: Healthy offensive
If you read nothing else, read this . . . Direct contact with the boss can create a positive working environment. Work, providing it is good work, can be good for employees' health. Employers need to reinforce benefit messaging, especially around employee assistance programmes, to ensure staff are aware these ...
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Analysis
Sickness absence: Open plan to tackle stress
If you read nothing else, read this . . . Stigmas associated with mental health problems can create a culture of silence, with staff afraid to talk about their health issues and employers scared to offer support in case they say the wrong thing. High-profile cases of mental health problems, ...
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Analysis
Sickness absence: Diagnosing the causes
If you read nothing else, read this … Causes of absence, especially mental health problems, can be hidden because many employees are worried about the consequences of disclosing them. Early intervention can ensure an employee feels valued and help their return to work. Line manager training is essential to enable ...
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Article
Employee Benefits/Cigna sickness absence roundtable discussion 2011
Addressing absence: Diagnosing the causesMental health: Open plan to tackle stressGovernment initiatives: Fit notes not best medicineWorkplace culture: Healthy offensiveOlder workforce: New plans in older eraSponsor’s comment: In fitness and in healthEditor’s commentSickness absence can be a costly business for employers. Although a certain degree of absence is inevitable in ...
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Analysis
Health and wellbeing: A caring environment
If you read nothing else, read this . . . Financial products are available to support employees with cancer, including private medical insurance, group income protection and critical illness cover. Insurances often come with added benefits, such as employee assistance programmes. Providing practical and emotional support for staff is as ...
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Case Studies
Case study: Npower connects with Macmillan Cancer Support
Energy company Npower employs more than 12,000 people across 60 sites in the UK. It has partnered Macmillan Cancer Support since 2004, supporting the charity and using the relationship to raise awareness of cancer among staff.Ruth Worton, charity manager at Npower, says: "Macmillan provides a range of support and our ...
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Article
Buyer's guide to private medical insurance
FOCUS ON FACTSWhat is private medical insurance? A group PMI policy enables employees to access private medical treatment quickly and at a time that is convenient to them. Policy benefits vary greatly, but plans will usually cover consultations, diagnostic tests and treatment, whether as an inpatient or an outpatient. They ...