All articles by System Administrator – Page 104

  • Article

    Fleet safety takes back seat as cash becomes king

    2005-07-01T00:00:01Z

    An alarming number of organisations are unaware of the risks of shedding company cars, according to a report by fleet provider Alphabet.Its Cars, cash, care and control report shows that over 300,000 business drivers have moved out of company cars since 2001 in favour of cash allowance arrangements.As a result, ...

  • Analysis

    Employer debt assistance

    2005-07-01T00:00:01Z

    Debt has become a way of life in Britain, with consumers over one trillion pounds in the red. Jenny Keefe says when carefully handled, employers can steer staff back on track and help get them performing againCase Study: John LewisArticle in full"Neither a borrower, nor a lender be," counsels Polonius ...

  • Analysis

    Feature - European Directive alters fuel funding

    2005-07-01T00:00:01Z

    European directives on VAT claims on fuel are to be introduced in the UK. That will drive a switch to fuel and corporate credit cards, says Peter WhiteIf you read nothing else, read this ...The European Court of Justice has made a ruling on how organisations can reclaim the VAT ...

  • Article

    Nationwide raises working age

    2005-07-01T00:00:01Z

    Nationwide Building Society has introduced a new policy allowing staff to continue working until the age of 75. The company increased this after surveying customer satisfaction relating to its older workers. The move follows a policy of flexible retirement introduced in 2001 allowing staff to work until age 70.

  • Article

    Rivals force Fortis to action

    2005-07-01T00:00:01Z

    Fortis Bank has introduced an all employee car ownership plan (Aecop) after new staff that had experienced such deals at competitors demanded similar offers.Jeanette Heydn, HR director at the financial services firm, said: "For people who want to be driving a relatively new car, it's a perfect solution if you ...

  • Article

    Trustees on top of rules

    2005-06-30T23:00:00Z

    Employers are being encouraged to ensure that pension scheme trustees are on top of their obligations under the new regime.High street retail group Woolworths is particularly keen to encourage its trustees to understand the rule changes. Lis Browning, group pensions manager at Woolworths, says employers need to "formalise training needs" ...

  • Analysis

    Staff referral schemes

    2005-06-30T23:00:00Z

    Employee referral schemes are a cheap and effective way to introduce new talent. Jamin Robertson looks at how it is doneCase Study: The Flight CentreArticle in fullEmployers operating in a tight labour market are realising the value of enlisting staff as head-hunters. Not only does cutting out advertising and agency ...

  • Article

    YWCA study prompts perks

    2005-06-30T23:00:00Z

    Women's charity YWCA has introduced a number of salary sacrifice benefits following consultation with employees.The voluntary sector organisation brought in childcare vouchers, a home computing scheme and a season ticket loan as well as free life assurance. Other changes to its benefits package include an employee assistance programme and changes ...

  • Article

    Prudential reveals new perks products

    2005-06-30T23:00:00Z

    Financial services firm Prudential is launching into the employee benefits market with the introduction of voluntary and flexible benefits products.The Pru@Work package will offers arrangements of private medical insurance, healthcare cash plans, travel, accident and life coverage, voucher products and tax-friendly computers.Dave Harris, business to business director at Prudential, said: ...

  • Article

    Stress monitoring in woeful state

    2005-06-30T23:00:00Z

    Almost two-thirds of employers do not provide any stress management support in the workplace, despite the condition being a major contributor to sickness absence rates. A further 77% of companies do not provide employee assistance programmes (EAPs).For Mercer HR's Healthcare survey report, cost £100, contact Steve Clements on 01372 389 ...

  • Article

    Transport for London perks

    2005-06-30T23:00:00Z

    Transport for London is spending more than £1m annually on tea, coffee and mineral water for employees.The group, which runs London's tubes and buses, as well as the Congestion Charge, was found to have spent £400,000 alone on mineral water following a Freedom of Information Act request to discover how ...

  • Article

    M&S targets key workers

    2005-06-30T23:00:00Z

    Marks & Spencer is to launch new incentive schemes for 400 key staff aimed at boosting short-term growth.The retailer is introducing a new bonus scheme and a revamped performance share plan for senior executives and is looking to tone down its long term focus for a short term plan.The bonus ...

  • Article

    Insurance perk is well received

    2005-06-30T23:00:00Z

    Plymouth-based care home company Small House Homes has seen a positive response to a new healthcare insurance benefit. The company adopted BHSF's HealthScheme looking to improve staff welfare and regulatory compliance and enhance the company's social responsibility agenda. One worker managed to get a MRI scan in days and another ...

  • Analysis

    Migrant staff fill UK's skill shortages

    2005-06-30T23:00:00Z

    More migrant workers are entering the UK to fill skill shortages. Debbie Lovewell finds terms and conditions are often to their liking, proving turnover levels are not as high as some would lead you to believeCase Studies - First Group, G’s MarketingArticle in fullIf you believe everything you read, migrant ...

  • Article

    Staff requests fall on stoney ground

    2005-06-30T23:00:00Z

    Staff requests fall on stoney ground Tourist attractions such as Stonehenge and Hadrian's Wall were disrupted during last month's Solstice following industrial action by workers at English Heritage. Staff at the conservation body held a one day strike after a below inflation pay offer was imposed and management failed to ...

  • Case Studies

    Employer Profile - Neal's Yard

    2005-06-30T23:00:00Z

    Jenny Keefe discovers in the wake of a recent relocation from London to Dorset, the firm has built its green philosophy into its new environment, and it did not forget its ethical roots in the consideration of the staff it left behindIt's an unusually hot spring day. I'm in sitting ...

  • Article

    DC plans overtake final salary

    2005-06-30T23:00:00Z

    The number of defined contribution (DC) pension schemes has now overtaken final salary plans. The average contributions of these schemes are 11% of salary, comprising 4% employee contribution and 7% employer funded. Less than half of employees eligible join their occupational DC scheme, while more than 60% of schemes have ...

  • Article

    Herts Council revamps its EAP

    2005-06-30T23:00:00Z

    Hertfordshire County Council has revamped its employee assistance programme (EAP) to help staff that experience life-changing events. The council hopes more of its 10,300 staff will use the EAP to deal with problems early, improving productivity. Human resources officer Hayley Cann said: "It offers loads of advice and support about ...

  • Analysis

    The risk of contract-based pensions

    2005-06-30T23:00:00Z

    Offering a contract-based pension may seem like an easy option, but shouldering only minimum responsibility could store up problems for the future, says Helen PridhamIf you read nothing else, read this ...On paper, an employer choosing a contract-based pension scheme must do little more than provide a suitable stakeholder plan ...

  • Analysis

    Guest Opinion - Debra Corey on rewards communication

    2005-06-30T23:00:00Z

    It shouldn’t be a shoo-in that the launch of a rewards programme should be HR fronted, for a comms expert can be an invaluable leader, says Debra Corey, former director, international compensation and benefits at GapArticle in fullWhen I think back over the years about what has been key in ...