All articles by Sam Barrett – Page 3
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AnalysisWhat does a benefits package for seasonal workers look like?
Credit: branislavpudar/shutterstockNeed to know:A strong onboarding and induction programme will help seasonal workers understand their benefits package and feel valued.Benefits should be tailored to the sector and the type of seasonal worker the organisation wants to attract.Introducing seasonal workers to permanent employees and including them in recognition schemes and social ...
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Case StudiesYHA rewards seasonal workers with attractive benefits package
Seasonal workers are an essential part of YHA (England and Wales), boosting the organisation’s headcount from around 800 in the winter to more than 1,350 in the peak summer months. Katie Swalwell, people business partner at YHA, says: “Our seasonal team members do anything and everything. It can include running ...
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AnalysisHow to keep employees happy on minimum pay rates
Credit: M2K7/ShutterstockNeed to know:When budgets are under pressure, organisations need to strike the right balance between pay, benefits and other factors such as working conditions and wellbeing.Benefits such as discount schemes, health cash plans and financial education can help employees make their money go further.Communication is key, helping organisations understand ...
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Case StudiesSavvy Hotels offers competitive reward package to attract and engage staff
Savvy Hotels runs three hotels across Liverpool and Chester, employing 41 people plus additional casual staff during peak times. As guests’ experiences are so dependent on the service they receive, happy employees are essential.Steven Hesketh, chief executive of Savvy Hotels and founder of The Hospitality Hero, explains: “We’re a family-run ...
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AnalysisAre employers truly optimising their diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives?
Need to know:Economic constraints, complexities and fears of a potential backlash have driven some organisations to put diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I) on the back burner.Line managers have a key role in an organisation’s DE&I strategy but training and role redesign could increase their effectiveness.Benefits are a visible way to ...
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Case StudiesMcCann Central makes diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I) a strategic priority
McCann Central is a creative agency employing more than 500 people across offices in Birmingham, Bristol, Leeds, London and Milton Keynes. Diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I) is a strategic priority for the organisation. Ruepal Aujla, group DE&I lead and Bimingham’s head of media, says: “We have a ...
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Case StudiesTaylor Wessing includes crypto tokens in recognition programme
Global law firm Taylor Wessing introduced an incentive programme in 2023, enabling its UK lawyers to award, trade and redeem crypto tokens, known as LAW Tokens. Paul Thorpe, a partner at Taylor Wessing and one of the leads on the initiative, says there are several reasons behind the programme. “We’re ...
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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. ...