All articles by Sam Barrett – Page 14
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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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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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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
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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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 ...
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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
Benefits keep employees working well
Employees need physical and psychological maintenance to keep them performing effectively and benefits can be the best tools, says Sam BarrettRegular services, maintenance schedules and instruction manuals go along with everything from the office air conditioning system and photocopier to forklift trucks in the warehouse. But when it comes to ...
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Case Studies
Case Study: Informa
Publishing company Informa employs 8,500 people worldwide and has been recognised as one of Britain’s top employers by the CRF Institute for three years running, scoring full marks for its pay and benefits package.Thomas Humphris, head office HR and UK reward director at Informa, says: “Our benefits strategy focuses on ...
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Analysis
The importance of measuring the success of benefits
If you read nothing else, read this…Identifying measurables of success can be tricky, but there are a number of advantages for employers in measuring the success of their benefits package.Statistics that can be used to determine the success of a package include: benefits take-up, engagement, absence levels and the national ...
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Analysis
How is executive reward decided?
Executive reward has come under scrutiny in the downturn. Sam Barrett looks at how remuneration committees decide what to apportion the high-fliersScan the newspapers and you are certain to come across a story about a top executive receiving a fat pay packet. Such remuneration packages often comprise annual salaries in ...
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Analysis
Thought leaders 2010: The year ahead: What is the new vision for employee benefits?
This promises to be a big year for change in the benefits world, not least because of the general election, says Sam BarrettAfter a year of sitting tight and waiting for the recession to end, change is set to be the main theme of 2010. Some changes are already known, ...
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Analysis
Offering employee benefits to families of staff boosts employee engagement
Benefits for employees’ dependants are under pressure, but their contribution to staff engagement is clear, says Sam BarrettExtending benefits to family members has a long tradition, going back to the days when the likes of Cadbury provided employees and their families with housing, education, healthcare and sports facilities. Today, although ...
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Article
Buyer's guide to flexible benefits administration systems (February 2010)
Administration systems for flexible benefits schemes can take various forms, and suppliers are targeting employers of all sizes to offer the functionality they need, says Sam BarrettFlexible benefits plans have many advantages for employers, including greater employee engagement and improved performance. But to maximise these advantages, organisations must make sure ...
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Article
Buyer's guide to employee assistance programmes (January 2010)
It is a good time to strike a cheaper deal for an employee assistance programme, but employers must make sure they are getting the services they require, says Sam BarrettPrices are tumbling in the employee assistance programme (EAP) market. As providers team up with insurers to offer freebie EAPs and ...
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Analysis
Calculating the right reward package for expatriate employees
Many factors must be taken into account for employers to calculate the right reward package for expatriate employees, says Sam BarrettLower taxes and prices abroad are great for a two-week holiday, but such differences can have serious consequences for employers looking to place staff overseas on assignments. While some expatriates ...
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Article
Using a broker will aid procurement
If employers use a broker to find benefit providers, a good relationship is essential, says Sam BarrettA broker can offer significant advantages when it comes to arranging employee benefits. But although their experience, support and access to the most competitive terms and prices can be invaluable, employers need to ensure ...
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Article
Pensions and insurance procurement must not be hurried
Pensions and insurance are key elements of most benefits packages, and procurement requires adequate time and great care, says Sam BarrettA benefits package speaks volumes about a business. It can help to motivate staff, demonstrate an employer's commitment to customers and competitors, and attract the best recruits. Because of this, ...
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Article
Buyer's guide to motivation vouchers (November 2009)
Vouchers are a cost-effective and popular way to motivate employees, especially in tricky economic times, and the variety of formats available is widening, says Sam BarrettTough times generally put a squeeze on benefits spend, but when it comes to motivation vouchers, demand remains strong as employers look for ways to ...
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Article
Health & Wellbeing: How to prove perks' cost-effectiveness
The benefits of staff health and wellbeing programmes may seem obvious, but finance directors will want bottom-line proof of their effectiveness, says Sam BarrettJamie Barnes, client services director at benefits consultancy Enrich, says: "It is an age-old problem. Although common sense suggests health and wellbeing initiatives can deliver significant benefits, ...