All articles by Sam Barrett – Page 13
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Article
Buyer's guide to dental benefits
Focus on factsWhat are dental benefits? Dental benefits provide financial assistance with some, or all, of the costs of seeing a dentist. Benefits can be delivered through a dental insurance scheme of which there are two types available. One gives cover limits for broad areas such as routine examinations, hygiene ...
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Analysis
Get up to speed on social networking
If you read nothing else, read this... In recent months, the use of social networking sites such as Twitter has reached a new level, breaking news such as the death of Osama Bin Laden and the identity of public figures behind super-injunctions. In the workplace, this means staff have more ...
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Case Studies
Case study: Ellipse keeps up with the latest chat
Group risk insurer Ellipse has a very open approach to employees using social media in the workplace. Peter Fenner, marketing manager at Ellipse, says: “We ask employees not to use it on business [computers] as thereis a risk it could spread viruses, but we do keep a couple of laptops ...
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Case Studies
Case study: Integration no problem at Informa after acquisitions
Having grown significantly through acquisitions over the past 13 years and being the result of a merger itself, Informa has seen its HR and reward department play a key role in integrating businesses into its benefits package.A vital part of the acquisition process is communicating with new staff. This is ...
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Analysis
Mergers & Acquisitions: Total reward aids integration
If you read nothing else, read this…Highlighting employees’ pay and benefits package can help to bring a new organisation together.A reward audit should be the first stage of the harmonisation process.A flexible benefits scheme can help to harmonise provision, but replicating previous packages may still be tricky.A total reward strategy ...
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Analysis
Mergers & Acquisitions: Pay restructuring may be needed
If you read nothing else, read this…Inheriting another organisation’s pay and salary levels can throw up a number of challenges for employers.Where two different pay scales exist, employers may need to start from scratch, creating new job titles and descriptions.Employee benefits must also be taken into account, because these may ...
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Case Studies
Case study: Santander accounts for many changes after acquisitions
Mergers and acquisitions are not uncommon in the banking sector and 2008 was a busy year on this front. Ian Cunning, senior reward manager, human resources at Santander, says: "Towards the end of the year we acquired Alliance and Leicester, the retail deposit arm of Bradford and Bingley and the ...
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Analysis
The big squeeze on benefits
If you read nothing else, read this… Rising inflation can pose challenges for reward and benefits professionals because it pushes up costs. Average earnings growth stood at 2.2% in February this year. Rising inflation will affect pensions, with final salary schemes being the hardest hit. Employers can take a number ...
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Case Studies
Case study: Charles River Associates' health cash plan is a winner
Global consulting firm Charles River Associates carries out an annual benefits review.In April 2010, it introduced an employer-paid health cash plan, provided by Westfield Health, for its London-based staff. Peg Dahl, associate director, global benefits, says: “This complements the supplemental medical and dental insurance we already offer and gives employees ...
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Article
Case study: Financial education workshops pay off for BGL Group staff
Insurance broker the BGL Group has added a financial education programme to the range of benefits it offers its 2,100 employees.Lucy Painter, associate director for shared services group HR at the company, says: “We already run pension seminars and one-to-one sessions with our pensions consultant, AWD Chase de Vere, as ...
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Analysis
Financial Education: Economical ways to increase employee awareness
If you read nothing else, read this...There are a number of ways in which employers can provide financial educationfor their employees cost-efficiently, such as online programmes.Some services, such as those provided by the Money Advice Service, are available at no cost to an organisation.The cost of providing financial education will ...
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Analysis
Technology leads new approach to share scheme communication
If you read nothing else, read this... Many organisations use technology to offer efficient enrolment processes and targeted communication of a scheme. Social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter are also used. Share plan providers have to get to grips with changes to taxation, such as the new 50% ...
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Case Studies
Case study: Asda uses Facebook campaign to promote share scheme
Asda began offering its sharesave plan in 1982 and has used different marketing tools to build take-up each year. Last year, the supermarket giant, supported by Computershare Plan Managers, introduced a Facebook page topromote the scheme to younger staff.Laura Wilcock, shares manager at Asda, says: “We have always found sharesave ...
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Article
Buyer's guide to flexible benefits technology
What is flexible benefits technology?It is the software that enables the delivery of flexible benefits plans. It allows staff to select their benefits, interfacing with human resources, payroll and benefit providers to ensure compliance. It has extended its remit to provide communication and information tools.What are the origins of flexible ...
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Article
Buyer's guide to employee assistance programmes 2011
What are employee assistance programmes (EAPs)?Employee assistance programmes are confidential information and support services designed to support employees who have work or personal problems. They include a 24-hour helpline and full EAPs also offer access to face-to-face or telephone counselling, where necessary.EAPs can also be used to support line managers ...
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Case Studies
Case study: Axa wellbeing strategy maintains a healthy mix
Health insurance firm, Axa PPP Healthcare introduced a wellbeing strategy in 2008. To determine the structure of the strategy, it assembled a steering group comprising clinicians, HR and employee representatives. Various data sources were also analysed, including occupational health, claims from the private medical insurance scheme, and management information from ...
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Analysis
Health and wellbeing: Strategy must be well planned and adaptable
If you read nothing else, read this …Think about the organisation’s values, because wellbeing encompasses a number of areas, including physical, mental, emotional, family, career and financial health.Assess the workforce, looking at factors such as age and lifestyle, as well as management information from benefits such as any employee assistance ...
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Analysis
Flexible benefits: Corporate wraps
If you read nothing else, read this . . .Corporate wraps give employees greater flexibility around investment and pension products, allowing them to switch between tax wrappers as their needs change.The financial education within a corporate wrap is regarded as one of its key strengths, empowering employees and engaging them ...
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Case Studies
Case Study: Leaseplan
Being an employee benefits provider means vehicle management company LeasePlan UK is very conscious of the service it receives on its own benefits package.Sarah Mengham, HR service development manager, says: "Service is important. We are shielded from poor service to some extent as our employee benefits consultants, Lorica, look after ...
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Analysis
Group risk: Room for improvement in administration
If you read nothing else, read this . . .For years, the group risk industry has lagged behind other benefits sectors in the efficiency and accuracy of its administration systems.The Group Risk Development (Grid) service standards working party has adopted a declaration of service standards for all key areas of ...