All articles by System Administrator – Page 123
-
Article
News update - Yell staff to get web statements
Members of Yell's pension scheme will now be able to receive benefits statements online. The directories company introduced the scheme to reduce its reliance of paper for both employees and general office communication. Simon Gale, head of HR services at Yell, said that so far staff appreciated the convenience of ...
-
Article
Feature - New rules for healthcare and insurance sales
If you read nothing else, read this ... The Distance Marketing Directive came into effect on 31 October this year, while the extension of the FSA's regulatory remit to cover the general insurance and mortgage sectors takes effect from 14 January 2005. These will affect the way a variety ...
-
Article
News update - Pub firm extends pension
JD Wetherspoon has extended the number of its employees able to receive pension contributions in a bid to improve recruitment. It will now offer contributions to its stakeholder pensions scheme to an extra 550 staff.Previously, the pub chain only contributed to the pensions of pub managers and 300 head office ...
-
Article
Feature - Dealing with minimum wage rises
In summaryIf an increase in the national minimum wage causes some of your staff to receive a pay rise, you may well find that those earning above the minimum will be looking for some kind of increase too.Using benefits to promote good feeling about you as an employer may be ...
-
Article
News update - DTZ signs UK gym deal
International property firm DTZ has launched a discounted health club membership scheme for all of its 2,000 UK-based employees.The scheme entitles staff to get significant membership discounts at over 1,100 gyms across the country.Will Rayden, group compensation and benefits manager at DTZ, said: "We are keen to support our staff ...
-
Article
News update - Rail firm re-opens DB plan
As of next month Network Rail will re-open its final salary pension scheme following union pressure.The organisation, which had closed the scheme to new members from March 2004 to save costs, will now allow employees with five years service to join the defined benefit pension scheme.This came as members of ...
-
Article
News update - Homebase spruces up Christmas for staff
Festive gifts for staff are high up employers' Christmas lists this year.Notably Homebase is providing a pine tree for all employees.Homebase is to give each of its 18,000 employees a 1.5m, authentic Christmas tree this year. Melody Hull, reward project manager at the DIY retailer, said it wanted to give ...
-
Article
Feature - Tax on Christmas gifts for staff
In summaryThe days of the Christmas bonus nestling in your December pay cheque seem to be fading, and employers are turning to more creative ideas for seasonal gifts for staff. Diverse workforces mean that dishing out champagne or turkey may not be suitable, and these may also attract the attention ...
-
Article
Feature - Choosing the right pensions consultant
If you read nothing else, read this ... Employers choosing pension consultants should start by holding a beauty parade to determine which firm is most suited to their needs. The Society of Pension Consultants holds a comprehensive list of all of its members. Firms should find out how costs ...
-
Article
Over half of CEOs are involved in flex set-ups
Top level board members are becoming more involved in the introduction of flexible benefits than ever before.Some 53% of chief executives are now directly involved with setting up such schemes. And just under half (43%) are being run by finance directors compared with only 19% of FDs last year.As benefits, ...
-
Article
News update - Spotting who fits the cap
Employers are being encouraged to identify employees that are likely to be affected by the incoming pensions cap.Individuals that exceed the lifetime allowance, which stands at £1.5 million for those in a defined contribution scheme or an annual pension of £75,000 for members of a defined benefit (DB) scheme, will ...
-
Article
News update - Good call by phone firm
O2 has informed staff of how forthcoming pensions legislation will affect their pensions.It wanted to make sure that staff who could be affected by the lifetime allowance of £1.5m knew about the new rules.In August 2003, the mobile phone firm wrote to all staff earning £80,000 or more a year ...
-
Article
Buyer's Guide feature - Motivation vouchers
Despite increasing concern over retail spending, UK sales of recognition and incentive vouchers continues to rise - according to trade association figures.Data from the Voucher Association, the trade body representing many of the UK's biggest voucher firms, puts the current value of members' voucher revenue at a record £1.38bn, with ...
-
Article
News update - Cash is likely lifetime limit buffer
Giving employees extra cash is likely to be the most popular alternative to pensions for employees that are affected by the lifetime allowance limit.Over two-thirds (67%) of respondents to a survey by consultancy firm Watson Wyatt reported that they were considering this option.Two-thirds of employers that had already made a ...
-
Article
News update - Hotel group brings in staff cash plan
The Elizabeth Hotel Group has introduced a healthcare cash plan for its 1,000 employees. The hotel company has increased in size over the past couple of years through a number of acquisitions, which was the impetus for it improving the overall healthcare package it offered staff. The scheme, which is ...
-
Article
News update - Brewer installs flex plan
Welsh brewery SA Brains has launched a flexible benefits scheme to bring together a number of different terms and conditions across the organisation.It has acquired a number of businesses over the past couple of years, which meant that staff received unequal benefits packages.Debra Wood-Lawson, HR manager, said: "We had a ...
-
Article
News update - BMW blames the living for deficit
BMW has blamed the fact that its pensioners are living longer for its pension deficit, which has doubled in a year. The deficit, calculated using FRS17 standards, now stands at £561m, up from £385m. The car manufacturer made a contribution of nearly £50m last year and is considering another similar ...
-
Article
News update - Big Food shifts pensions obstacle
Icelandic retailer Baugur has struck a deal with pension trustees at the Big Food Group, clearing the way for an acquisition. Trustees at the Big Food Group, which owns Iceland and Booker Cash & Carry, had previously stood in the way of the deal, thought to be worth around £192m, ...
-
Article
EB comment: Using your benefits to stand out from rivals
Maybe someone reading this will be able to help me out with a precise answer, because as far I know there isn’t a list or league table telling us which employers attract the most interest from potential recruits (and not just graduates). There are plenty of lists and awards events ...
-
Article
Employee benefits in Russia
If you read nothing else, read this … ?The pay and benefits gaps between Russian-owned and multinational/foreign-owned companies have largely closed. ?State-run healthcare is fairly basic so the typical Russian benefits package offers private medical insurance as well as life cover. ?Pensions are still uncommon, but state reforms and recruitment ...