All articles by System Administrator – Page 120
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Article
Four-fold rise of post-ban drivers using phones at wheel
The number of drivers using mobile phones while driving has increased four-fold since 2003's ban. Some 37% of people still use mobiles on the road, over a year after the law against using a hand-held phone while driving was introduced. Previous RAC research in 2003 showed that just one in ...
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Article
Diesel fleet reviews likely
Employers are expected to conduct widespread fleet reviews following changes to the way diesel cars are taxed.The Chancellor made the announcement in the Pre-Budget Report in December which will force organisations to see whether it is still tax efficient to offer diesel company cars.Currently, employees that drive a diesel car ...
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Article
Muller Diaries to milk tax gains
Muller Dairies has successfully introduced a childcare voucher scheme despite having three different payroll systems.It comes as the Chancellor made the announcement in his Pre-Budget Report in December that not only will vouchers be tax-free up to £50 but any administration or management fees dealing with setting up a scheme ...
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Article
Stair lift firm signs fleet deal
Minivator has signed a three year contract hire deal with Lloyds TSB Autolease to ease the pressure faced by its human resources department. The company, which makes stairlifts suitable for disabled access, has agreed 29 company cars through the sole supply deal.
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Analysis
New tax rules for childcare vouchers
Staff must get childcarers registered as soon as possible or risk losing the tax break, says Jenny KeefeArticle in fullSimple maths suggests that, with the average yearly cost of a full-time nursery place being £7,000, some working parents can struggle to make the sums add up. Yet just one-in-ten employers ...
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Article
Property firm uses cars as rewards
Townends has rewarded its top performing company car drivers with a number of silver Peugeot sports cars. The estate agency group has added the Coupe Cabriolets to its fleet of 240 company cars for its best sales negotiators and lettings staff. Mark Lawrence, fleet manager at Townends, explained that they ...
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Opinion
Guest Opinion: Duncan Brown, CIPD
Duncan Brown, assistant director general of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), says that government action is way behind even the most commonplace examples of HR best practiceOn Monday, one of our new parents at the CIPD came to work with bagged eyes and the telltale stain of ...
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Analysis
Feature - Is free fuel the best option for your staff?
Heavy taxes mean free fuel is not always financially beneficial for employees, but calculating who to offer it to can be a tricky business, says Nicola SmithIf you read nothing else, read this ...Look at each employee's case on an individual basis - one size doesn't fit all.Hold regular reviews ...
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Article
News update - 3i adds value to its fleet
Venture capital group 3i has introduced a contract purchase company car scheme after it changed fleet providers.Lewis Claxton, group purchasing manager at 3i, said that the company decided to contract purchase its 120 company car fleet, with the help of Zenith Vehicle Contracts, because it was the best way of ...
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Article
Fleets self-insure in 22% of cases
Some 78% of employers source their company car insurance externally and over a quarter say insurance costs have risen in the last three years. For a copy of Car Benefits Solutions' Employee car benefit strategy research call 0161 447 8998
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Article
Website Strawpoll
Yes 77%No 23%November's White Paper on health has got many people talking about whose responsibility it is to tackle health-related issues. Employers appear to have recognised that they have a role to play. And with good reason, healthier staff are more productive and are less likely to take time off ...
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Article
In the news
The story: The government announced proposals to move civil servants away from a defined benefit (DB) pension into a career average revalued (Care) scheme.The proposals, which are currently under consultation with trade unions and staff, will base employees' pension on a proportion of the pay earned in each year of ...
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Article
Penguin struts with new HR prize
Penguin has been voted NSPCC Family Friendly Employer of the Year at the Employer of the Year Awards organised by charity Working Families. The publishing company was awarded the title for helping staff to juggle work and family responsibilities. Its family friendly policies include 15 days compassionate leave when employees' ...
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Article
Law firm pilots holiday tool
Scottish law firm Dundas & Wilson has piloted an online holiday reporting tool to ensure that it gets the best deal out of its flexible benefits package.The firm launched a trial of the system, which simplifies the process of booking holidays and other absences, for lawyers and secretaries in its ...
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Analysis
Feature - Helping staff to get healthy
As the nation's obsession with obesity grows, Jenny Keefe talks up the benefits behind slim and healthy staffCase study: United BiscuitsArticle in fullIn recent months as Britons upwrapped their chips, and sank into their sofas to catch a few hours of telly, they must have seen the screaming headlines of ...
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Article
Top earners protect pot
Employees who will have more than £1.5m in their pensions pot in April 2006 could benefit from 'primary pensions protection'.These staff must register the amount that they have already accrued in order to avoid paying a 55% 'tax and recovery' charge on any amount above the £1.5m lifetime allowance limit. ...
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Case Studies
Diageo to review strategy
Diageo is using pensions simplification as an opportunity to review its longer-term pensions strategy.The drinks firm, which offers a defined benefit retirement scheme to all employees, wanted to ensure that its pension scheme remained competitive.Paul Charles, pension strategy and policy manager, said that the scheme was becoming increasingly important when ...
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Article
Shell forced to cut value of pension
Royal Dutch Shell will be forced to cut the value of its net assets to bring its pension reporting into line with new accounting standards. Due to the International Financial Reporting Standards the oil company will now carry the full amount of its pension deficit on its balance sheet.
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Analysis
Feature - Encouraging staff to make pension contributions
Employees may be reluctant to pay into a pension scheme, but their contribution is vital if they are to save enough to keep them during retirement, says Debbie LovewellIf you read nothing else, read this ... To maximise employees' pension pots, both employer and employee contributions are necessary. Focused communication ...
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Article
Law firm closes final salary scheme
Nabarro Nathanson has closed its final salary pension scheme to future accruals to limit its liabilities. The law firm, which had previously closed the scheme to new entrants in 2001, made the decision so the scheme doesn't rake up further deficits. Employees are now being encouraged to join the firm's ...