All articles by Sam Barrett – Page 3
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AnalysisDoes crypto currency have a role to play in employers' pay strategies?
Need to know:Crypto currency is still unusual in pay strategies with early adopters predominately technology businesses and the professional services firms that support them.Crypto currency is subject to income tax when an employee receives it but could also incur a capital gains tax charge if they hold it for more ...
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Case StudiesWunderman Thompson provides medical and security benefits for staff working overseas
Part of global creative transformation agency WPP, Wunderman Thompson employs 20,000 professionals around the world, of which 650 are based in London. As part of their work with clients, employees can be based overseas on creative shoots, brand events and sports fixtures, with most of these assignments lasting up to ...
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Case StudiesCrawford and Company ensures employee safety is paramount when working overseas
Claims management provider Crawford and Company employs 10,000 people globally, including 1,350 UK employees. As the organisation responds to insurance claims around the world, overseas travel is part of many employees’ jobs.To give greater visibility of where employees are going, all travel is booked through one agency. Shaun Kelly, chief ...
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AnalysisWhat support can employers offer for expatriate staff facing natural disasters?
Rescue helicopter/Jaromir Chalabala/ ShutterstockNeed to know:Pre-assignment risk assessments and briefings can help an expatriate employee feel as prepared as a local if a natural disaster happens.Security risk management firms can support employees with information and support if they are affected by a natural disaster.Employers should check what is included in ...
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AnalysisThe overlooked influences impacting employee health
Need to know:Personalised health and wellbeing support is more likely to engage employees and drive behavioural change.Tests can highlight a variety of health issues including fertility problems; menopause and andropause; gut health issues and cancer.As employees gain deeper insight into their health, education will help them understand the implications of ...
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Case StudiesChannel 4 offers staff reproductive health and hormone testing
Channel 4 employs around 1,300 people across the UK including offices in Bristol, Glasgow, Leeds, London and Manchester. Through its staff network, 4Womxn, it has challenged the stigmas around women’s health, as Pamela Bird, co-chair of 4Womxn, explains: “Women can experience difficulties conceiving, painful periods, endometriosis and problems with the ...
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AnalysisWhat does effective absence management reporting look like?
Need to know:An absence management system must be robust, consistent and in line with the organisation’s absence policy.Interrogating absence data can identify trends but it is prudent to investigate further as the data may be masking what is really happening.Identifying potential long-term conditions early can ensure appropriate support is provided ...
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Case StudiesThe Kite Factory's absence management approach supports staff health and wellbeing
The Kite Factory is a media planning and buying agency based in Central London. As a fast-growing company, it expects the headcount to break through the 100 people mark in the next few months.Eleanor Manuel, people and culture manager at The Kite Factory, says: “Our people are our biggest asset ...
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Case StudiesAberdeenshire Council uses data to shape employee benefits strategy
Around 16,500 people work for Aberdeenshire Council across a diverse range of roles including office staff, teachers and waste recycling operatives. Data plays an important part in understanding their needs as Niall Silvestro, analytics and reward strategy lead at Aberdeenshire Council, explains: “Effective use of data fosters innovation and helps ...
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AnalysisWhat can benefits technology tell an employer about its workforce?
Need to know:Enriching benefits data with information from other sources can help employers create personalised benefit offerings.Low take-up rates do not always indicate a benefit is not popular: it may need an awareness or education campaign to boost engagement.Data enables organisations to take a more agile approach to benefits, adjusting ...
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AnalysisHow can employers build the case for aligning financial and mental wellbeing strategies?
Need to know:Financial worries affect the bottom line, with a poll by the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) finding the majority of employers believe the cost-of-living crisis has caused stress and anxiety that have affected productivity levels.Many organisations already offer benefits that can support employees’ financial wellbeing, whether as a core ...
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Case StudiesZuto prioritises financial and mental wellbeing with comprehensive benefits suite
Zuto is a fintech in the used car finance space. It employs 450 people, known as Zutonites, across its Macclesfield head office and Manchester contact centre. Mary Beighton, people and culture director at Zuto, says: “We’re growing quickly so we have to be competitive to attract and retain employees. To ...
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Case StudiesMetro Bank offers support for employees going through separation
Launched in 2010 as the first new high street bank in more than 100 years, Metro Bank now employs nearly 4,500 people across the UK.To show its support for employees going through separation, it signed up to the Positive Parenting Alliance’s HR Initiative when it was launched in January 2023. ...
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AnalysisSupporting staff following a relationship breakdown
Need to know:A relationship breakdown can be traumatic, adversely affecting an employee’s mental health and performance.A wide range of support tools are available including employee assistance programmes (EAPs), concierge services, legal advice and flexible working.Making separation a life event can make it easier for employees to make changes to benefits ...
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Case StudiesBirmingham Women’s and Children’s NHS Trust offers valuable parental support
More than 8,200 babies are born each year at Birmingham Women’s Hospital, making it one of the busiest single site maternity units in the UK. Raffaela Goodby, chief people officer at Birmingham Women’s and Children’s NHS Trust, explains: “We wanted to ensure that our staff felt as supported as the ...
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AnalysisHow can employers support parents with babies that need neonatal care?
Need to know:The Neonatal Care (Leave and Pay) Bill will allow parents with babies needing neonatal care to take up to 12 weeks paid leave.The Employer with Heart charter is awarded to organisations that have extra provisions in place for employees with babies who are born prematurely.Support such as an ...
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Case StudiesKingsley Napley offers parental coaching as part of wellbeing focus
Kingsley Napley is a law firm based in London. Founded in 1937, today it has 481 members of staff, of which 70% are female, including 56% of its 75 partners.Charlotte White, HR officer at Kingsley Napley, says: “We want to be a family-friendly workplace, where everyone feels supported both at ...
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AnalysisWhat role does maternity coaching play in a carer support strategy?
Need to know:Maternity coaching can provide emotional and practical support to make it easier to balance work and parental commitments.Support around return to work is important, especially as 17% of women leave employment completely in the five years after childbirth.Online services, mentoring and buddying can provide coaching support where budgets ...
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AnalysisHow is the current state of play in the NHS impacting the group risk market?
Need to know:Non-core benefits, such as virtual GP services and employee assistance programmes, can help employees access healthcare.Interest in health insurance products, such as private medical insurance and health cash plans, has increased.More cancer claims may materialise as a result of difficulties accessing NHS services.Pressure on the NHS during the ...
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Case StudiesGroup risk benefits provide critical support for Ciphr's staff
Ciphr has always offered an extensive range of health benefits including life insurance, employer-paid private medical insurance and annual health assessments for its 230 employees. However, until a couple of years ago, it had not promoted these benefits fully.Claire Williams, chief people officer at Ciphr, says: “The pandemic made us ...