All articles by System Administrator – Page 118
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Article
Northcliffe Newspapers launches childcare vouchers
Northcliffe Newspapers is launching a childcare scheme to encourage mothers to return to work after maternity leave. The regional newspaper publisher estimates that 300 of its 9,000 employees will buy childcare vouchers through salary sacrifice. Michael French, head of employment affairs, said: "If the scheme makes childcare more helpful and ...
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Opinion
Guest Opinion: The provision of childcare vouchers
The decision to provide employee childcare vouchers would appear to be a no-brainer especially with the government allowing scheme members National Insurance contribution reductions against the cost of childcare provision. Potentially, offering vouchers is an all-round win, because as an employer we can tap into that pool of parents who ...
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Article
Salary sacrifice hampers child voucher progress
A study by childcare provider Sodexho Pass shows that four-out-of-ten employers think the salary sacrificing effects on pensions and life benefits act as an active deterrent to introducing childcare vouchers. The time and effort it takes to set up a scheme is the second most common complaint, with 30% of ...
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Article
Event news - New changes in childcare vouchers
From April 2005, the provision of childcare vouchers will be tax free up to £50 a week. Therefore, the session 'Using childcare vouchers as a tax efficient and highly valued benefit' will be timely for organisations looking to take advantage of this. Employers looking to investigate will be able to ...
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Analysis
The benefits of providing financial advice for staff
Article in fullIt is almost impossible to turn on the television or open a newspaper without seeing some mention of consumer debt escalating out of control, a looming pensions crisis or potential crash in the housing market. Even the government has begun to intervene - through the creation of bodies ...
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Article
Website Strawpoll
Yes 76%No 24%December's Employer Task Force on Pensions report to the secretary of state for work and pensions once again raised the idea of compulsion. The EFT recognised that "employer pension provision clearly works: 72% of employees with access to an employer's pension scheme (with an employer contribution) are saving ...
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Article
In the news
The storyA prison officer at Holloway prison who was on sick leave for more than a year had emigrated to New Zealand unbeknown to bosses.The employee, who was sacked without compensation after failing to attend a meeting with the jail's new managers, continued to provide doctor's sick notes from her ...
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Article
Newspaper in PC moves
The Guardian Newspaper group has seen nearly a fifth of its workforce take part in the home computing scheme it recently launched. The company, which publishes the Guardian and the Observer newspapers, introduced the scheme after a number of employees and its trades union expressed an interest in the cost ...
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Article
Input on pensions green paper
Local authorities have been asked for their opinions on proposed changes to the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS). These were set out in the LGPS green paper, published by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister last October, and include plans to limit employees' pensionable pay to basic salary, introduce ...
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Article
Games IT firm picks flex plan
Computer game firm Zoo Digital has introduced a flexible benefits package for its 130 employees. The company, which makes the 'Who Wants To Be A Millionaire' DVD game and football management simulator 'Premier Manager', launched the scheme after it was named business of the year in Sheffield. Following the introduction ...
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Article
Event news - Exhibitors new to this year's show
Providers exhibiting for the first time in Manchester include Citibank, Unum Provident, Europ Assistance, Cezanne Software and longservice.com. Bringing the benefits community together in a convenient location in the north of England, this event is a great way to meet key providers that can make a difference to your benefits ...
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Article
Event news - Flex passport
For visitors specifically interested in flexible benefits, the new Flex Passport is made for you.It gives you access to all of the flex sessions for a reduced price, with sessions covering building the business case, selecting the right benefits to include, and a step by step guide.A passport costs £60 ...
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Article
Work and draw pension
Organisations are facing up to the need to introduce flexible retirement processes before the advent of A-Day. Amanda Cullen, a council member of the independent industry body the Pensions Management Institute, said that the trend for bridging the gap between working and retirement is set to pick up speed after ...
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Article
Two-thirds of organisations say maintaining good relations with their trustees not difficult.
Despite increased talk of trustee activism, pension managers feel that managing changes to their schemes and keeping up to date with compliance and legislation are far more difficult challenges. Some 28% also think that making sure information is accurate is also a major problem.For a copy of Accenture's 'Pensions administration: ...
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Article
Event news - Dedicated session for home PC plans
Employers looking to join the home computing rush can listen to the talk given by the Royal Mail's Jackie Lawlor and Tim Savidge from pools operator Vernons. The pair are speaking at 12.45pm on 6 April on the subject 'Step by step guide to home computing initiatives'.
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Article
Staffordshire Country Council makes retention push
Staffordshire County Council has introduced a voluntary benefits scheme to help it hold on to its best staff. Like other local authorities, the council has problems finding certain specialist staff and it hopes the scheme will help to turn the situation around. Elaine Fisher, employment relations officer, said: "There are ...
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Article
News update - Pensions are the number one factor expected to increase future employment costs.
A third of employers said that the biggest rise in expenses will come from pensions, while 23% thought recruitment costs were increasing the most. The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development's 'HR trends and indicators' survey can be downloaded at www.cipd.co.uk/surveys
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Article
EB comment: Popularity of hybrid flex rests mainly on delivery
Under a traditional cafeteria plan the employer pays for the benefits and the employee is given a budget with which to select which ones they want. The second type has emerged more recently, and although it is, at it's heart, a voluntary benefits scheme it is formally arranged, and run ...
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Article
Chrysalis fends off rivals
Chrysalis has introduced a flexible benefits scheme to prevent rival firms poaching its staff. The company, which has interests in radio, music and books, lags behind other industry players in terms of salaries, but hopes to hold staff's attention with a sleek perks package. Craig Warden, HR director at Chrysalis, ...
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Article
Event news - Employers of choice rely on rewards
Being an employer of choice is seemingly an aim of most organisations and it's a phrase that's often mentioned in HR circles. However, not many are willing to discuss the reward policies that are associated with such an honour.Luckily, shoe repair and key cutting retailer Timpson and law firm DLA ...