All articles by Sam Barrett – Page 15
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Article
JLT Benefit Solutions launches pension administration service
JLT Benefit Solutions has launched a new administration service to help employers who are running an employee transfer value (ETV) and other pensions exchange exercises.The service covers every stage of the exchange process, from contacting members and providing them with the information and advice they need to make a decision ...
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Article
NHS faces pressure to invest in employees' health and wellbeing
An independent review has called for the NHS to invest in employee health and wellbeing in order to improve patient care and increase effectiveness and efficiency.The review, which was commissioned by the Department of Health and led by occupational health expert Steve Boorman, highlighted some of the health problems facing ...
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Article
Interview with Craig Truter, reward manager at Centrica
A psychometric test while still at school pointed Centrica reward manager Craig Truter towards a career in HR. Now he enjoys the variety of a global roleThe idea of a career in HR first came to Centrica’s reward manager, Craig Truter, while he was still at school in South Africa. ...
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Analysis
Group risk providers are offering improved products
Competitive group risk providers are offering an increasing range of free add-on services and products to their core cover plans, says Sam BarrettGroup risk benefits are designed to pay out an agreed amount of money in the event of a claim made if an employee is unable to work. But, ...
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Article
Buyer's guide to dental benefits (August 2009)
The recession has taken its toll on sales of dental plans and a proposed overhaul of NHS dentistry may slow the market further, but flexible benefits schemes are offering an economical way ahead, says Sam BarrettDIY extractions, hundred-deep queues for a place with a National Health Service (NHS) dentist, and ...
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Article
Online flex and total reward harmonise Azzurri's perks
Azzurri Communications has introduced an online flexible benefits scheme and total reward statements to create a more harmonised perks package for its 700 employees. The communications company, which appointed Thomsons Online Benefits to review its benefits package, has grown rapidly since its launch in 2000, partly through its acquisition of ...
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Article
Detica launches voluntary benefits scheme
Business and technology consultancy Detica has introduced a voluntary benefits scheme for its 1,400 UK employees.The scheme, which is called Pick and Mix Extras, will run alongside the organisation's flexible benefits programme and will include discounts from retailers such as Asda, Comet and Vodafone.Jo Eagle, reward and HR analyst at ...
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Article
Getting the best value out of group risk strategy
The pressure is on for employers to get the best value out of their group risk strategy, and there are several methods to keep costs under control, says Sam BarrettWhatever the economic climate, employers want to get the most out of their group risk strategy.But in the current environment, the ...
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Article
Helphire staff vote to increase hours
More than 80% of employees at accident management company Helphire have elected to increase their contractual hours.Employees were offered the opportunity to increase their hours from 35 to 37.5 hours a week, with their salary also being increased proportionately to reflect the change. Sean Morris, group HR compensation and benefits ...
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Article
Centrica adds power to voluntary benefits schemes
Energy giant Centrica has enhanced its childcare voucher scheme and taken steps to promote its voluntary benefits plan.The company has added a range of discounts to its childcare voucher scheme, which is provided by Accor Services. These include discounts on clothes, groceries and toys, as well as discounted theme-park tickets ...
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Article
Goodwin returns GBP200,000 a year from pension
Former Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) chief executive Sir Fred Goodwin has bowed to public pressure and agreed to hand back some of his pension.The move will see him taking a cut of more than £200,000 a year, bringing his annual pension down from £555,000 to £342,500. Originally his pension ...
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Article
Sky teams up with the Samaritans in CSR programme
Engineers from British Sky Broadcasting have helped renovate a hall owned by the Samaritans as part of the company’s corporate social responsibility programme, The Bigger Picture.The North London building, Shaftesbury Hall, was bought by the Samaritans in 1977 but has remained unused as there were no funds or resources available ...
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Analysis
Creating fair absence management systems
Staff absence can be costly for organisations, and a formal policy is needed to manage the issue, says Sam Barrett. But systems and procedures must be fair to both employer and employeeIf you read nothing else, read this...Absence policies must be fair and reasonable, and take into account both the ...
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Article
Buyer's guide to healthcare cash plans (May 2009)
As employers try to trim the cost of healthcare benefits, cash plans are increasing in popularity as a value-for-money perk, says Sam BarrettOnce seen as a poor relation of private medical insurance (PMI), healthcare cash plans are proving their worth as a mature and flexible employee benefit. With healthcare spend ...
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Analysis
Looking after the health of employees posted abroad
If you read nothing else, read this...Insurers monitor the type of treatment that is standard in each country to ensure employees access treatment that is safe and appropriate.To help reduce fraud, insurers check every claim against their claims database and published price lists to ensure that the cost is reasonable ...
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Article
Buyer's guide to group income protection (April 2009)
Greater competition and the development of shorter-term schemes are making group income protection more cost-effective, says Sam BarrettRead more Buyer's GuidesFocus on facts:What is group income protection?Group income protection (GIP) provides an income for employees who are unable to work as a result of long-term illness or injury. It is ...
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Analysis
It pays to review healthcare benefits
Executive summaryThe introduction of new drugs and procedures means that medical inflation is running at around 8.5% a yearAround 80% of costs are driven by the 15% to 20% of people with chronic conditions.There are a number of ways to keep a cap on private medical insurance costs, from reducing ...
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Analysis
Employers should check cost-effectiveness of benefit advisers' commission
Benefits advisers can be remunerated in various ways, so employers should check the cost-effectiveness of how they pay for their services, says Sam BarrettThe advice and support required to implement a well-designed benefits package that fits an organisation’s business strategy, meets the needs of its employees and offers value for ...
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Analysis
The rise of healthcare cash plans
Executive summary Healthcare cash plans are popular among employees and employers alike during tough economic times because they give access to key health services for a low cost. They can cover dental, eyecare, physiotherapy, osteopathy, counselling, stress helpline, specialist consultations and diagnostic tests - exactly what they cover can be ...
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Case Studies
Case Study: Unilever extends healthcare to include wellbeing
Last year, Unilever extended its traditional benefits package, which includes private medical insurance, with the launch of a wellbeing programme, Vitality into Action.Its first wellbeing initiative was a 15-minute health screening which checked details such as employees' weight, blood pressure and cholesterol, and provided tailored health information or referrals where ...