All articles by System Administrator – Page 107
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Article
Penguin launches childcare vouchers
The Penguin Group is to introduce childcare vouchers after the government's new tax break policy prompted a rise in staff demand. The publishing company will implement a scheme in July at the same time that it repeats its summertime flexible hours policy. Susan Taylor, HR director at Penguin, said the ...
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Citigroup launches childcare vouchers
Citigroup has established a childcare voucher scheme hoping to attract 10% of its 11,000 UK workforce.Damien Teisseire, European head of pensions and benefits at the global financial services group, said that he hoped such a perk would be of real value to staff.The voucher scheme was rolled out in April ...
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Analysis
The safest company cars
Jenny Keefe reviews the best-rated cars on the market for safety, and also uncovers a few shortcomings in safety testsIf you read nothing else, read this ...Corporate manslaughter is leading fleet safety.The Euro New Car Assessment programme (NCAP) crash tests has become a strong benchmark of safety excellence.However, the NCAP ...
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Analysis
Procuring company cars internationally
Factors concerning the cross-border specifications of vehicle models and differing taxation regimes make international fleet procurement an art form, says Victoria FurnessIf you read nothing else, read this ...Do not expect to produce instant savings because procuring cars is not like buying other commodity goods.Do your research thoroughly and cover ...
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Few employers check company car drivers' licences
Only 21% of organisations check company car drivers' licences on an annual basis, according to Bank of Scotland's Company car driver report 2005 survey.And more than one-third (37%) have never checked the licences of staff.The research by the fleet management provider also shows that 51% of company car drivers are ...
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Buyer's guide to childcare vouchers
Recent tax breaks have seen a boom in business for voucher providers, with newly entitled higher income earners scrambling to make use of tax breaks, says Jamin RobertsonArticle in fullChildcare voucher schemes have been the big mover of recent times, as recently introduced tax breaks have had employers queuing up ...
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Barclays launches all-employee car ownership plan
Barclays has introduced an all-employee car ownership plan that undercuts high street vehicle prices.Head of benefits Catherine Redmond said the scheme was proving popular: “[It’s] generating huge interest. The deals we’re getting are definitely better than you can get on the street. It’s for everyone, we’re actually making it available ...
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Analysis
100th issue supplement - The comeback of company cars
Eco-taxation has forced firms to shift down a gear with the company car perk and offer alternatives. But Nicola Smith says fleet cars are on the rise againAt a glanceIn 1998, 65 per cent said they viewed the company car as an essential recruitment and retention tool. In 2005 this ...
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Article
Pfizer launches volunteering website
Global pharmaceuticals supplier Pfizer has introduced a volunteer website allowing staff to participate from 500 opportunities throughout East Kent. The website features a database of work available with over 200 groups, charities and public sector organisations. Volunteer opportunities include mentoring A-level students, caring for the disabled and helping the elderly.
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Product news - S&P launches trustees tool
Standard & Poor's (S&P) has introduced a pensions tool to help trustees assess the risks of employer pension funds.Jim MacLachlan, director of pensions services at the credit rating agency, said the firm's new product would assess the sponsoring company's credit strength using information from a range of financial sources. Given ...
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Irwin Mitchell launches volunteering scheme
Irwin Mitchell has launched a volunteer scheme aimed at boosting literacy in local primary schools. Some 35 employees from the law firm's Sheffield office have taken part, spending 45 minutes a week helping children with their reading. Adrian Budgen, partner at the firm, said the scheme boosts morale and improves ...
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Article
Keoghs introduces salary sacrifice pension
Law firm Keoghs has introduced a salary sacrifice arrangement for its pension scheme as a precursor to its planned flexible benefits launch.HR director Frances Cross said that the company, which employs 400 staff in Bolton and Coventry, was keen to boost pension take-up through the online scheme.Next month, it also ...
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Article
Legal ruling on long-term sick leave and holiday pay
Employees on long-term sick leave will not continue to accrue holiday time, thanks to a new ruling by the Court of Appeal.The decision in the case Ainsworth v Inland Revenue overturned previous decisions, including Kigass Aero Components v Brown and List Design Group v Douglas to allow staff off ill ...
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Greene King introduces tax-efficient perks
Greene King has introduced a home computing scheme and tax-free bike plan to keep its benefits package up-to-date.John Roberts, group HR director at the brewery and pub chain, said that following the introduction of childcare vouchers last year, salary sacrifice computers and bicycles were the next step.Roberts added that the ...
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Product news - NCP offers way to tax free parking
NCP has launched a product that allows employers to offer tax-free parking as a salary sacrifice benefit. The car parking company is offering organisations two ways to offer the perk to car driving staff. They can either offer an employer-paid parking space as an additional benefit, without any additional employee ...
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Article
Gallaher Group launches flexi-time
The Gallaher Group is looking to improve the work-life balance of its workers with the introduction of a time and attendance system.The cigarette manufacturer has implemented a new flexitime policy at both its research and development department in Lisnafillan, Northern Ireland and a site in Cardiff that will measure the ...
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Article
Rhyme Systems launches flexible working
Rhyme Systems has launched a flexible working scheme, after a pilot helped it to cut sickness absence and improve performance.The company, which designs asset management software, trialled the scheme on a third of the staff in its Birmingham office. After finding workers took fewer sick days and managed their time ...
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Heineken Ireland launches Euro flex plan
Heineken Ireland has introduced a flexible benefits scheme for its 400 employees that supports the local Euro currency. The brewer introduced the package, run by British-based benefits provider Vebnet, which includes buying and selling holiday, private medical insurance and dental insurance. Also included were reward statements that showed employees' total ...
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Product news - Top employers showcased
The Corporate Research Foundation has published Britain's Top Employers 2005 to show HR bosses how the best organisations are run.The book features 91 organisations each as an employer case study. It highlights how organisations such as Cobra Beer, the Virgin Group and HMV reward staff through pay and benefits, as ...
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Case Studies
Employer profile: Timpson
Old-fashioned values remain popular at the national repair and dry-cleaning chain, and the firm has been independently rated as one of the UK’s top places to work. Jenny Keefe reportsArticle in fullBill Platt loves a woman in high heels. Not least, because as people person at shoe repairer Timpson, he ...