All articles by System Administrator – Page 124

  • Article

    Feature - Profile of IBM's benefits package

    2004-12-01T00:00:00Z

    In summaryThanks to benefits including flexible working policies and volunteering schemes, the average length of service at IBM is a whopping 11 years. We look at the business benefits of offering such schemes to staff.Article in fullWe all have good intentions. A popular fantasy among the current ‘have-it-all’ generation is ...

  • Article

    Feature - Bright young benefits professionals

    2004-12-01T00:00:00Z

    In summaryNew kids on the benefits block are shaking off the fuddy-duddy reputation of HR. Here we talk to some rising stars about their careers, perceptions of HR and what inspires them.Case studies: Roger Fairhead, Rank Group; Brontë Blomhøj, Innocent Drinks; Meredith Stamp, Gap; Hew Evans, Sony Ericsson; and Brian ...

  • Article

    Bosses believe reward packages have severe impact on retention.

    2004-12-01T00:00:00Z

    Some 50% of employers believe this is the case, while more than a quarter (27%) also believe flexible working has a high impact on retention. Despite this only 36% of organisations have changed the mix of the package offered to staff to reflect more non-financial benefits. For a copy of ...

  • Article

    Is fleet safety being kicked to the curb?

    2004-12-01T00:00:00Z

    Despite health and safety being a hot topic throughout the fleet industry, the majority of organisations are not actually doing much about it.Some 79% of employers have not compiled a fleet risk management strategy. And while 17% plan to, only 4% have actually implemented one.Kwik-Fit Fleet's Profit through safety survey, ...

  • Article

    News update - Volunteer schemes boom at Barclays

    2004-12-01T00:00:00Z

    An increasing number of employees at Barclays are signing up to volunteering schemes through work. Last year the high street bank saw over 12,000 employees take part in a volunteering programme compared with 10,000 the year before.Managers at the company said that volunteering had had a real impact on the ...

  • Article

    News update - Bank launches home PC plan

    2004-12-01T00:00:00Z

    ING Direct has launched a home computing scheme for staff to try to make call centre work more alluring.The scheme is one of a raft of benefits aimed at reducing staff turnover and shaking off the job's unappealing image.Jennie Monon, HR director, said: "We're a call centre and it can ...

  • Article

    News update - Drinks firm tastes awards success

    2004-12-01T00:00:00Z

    Innocent Drinks was named 'National Employer of the Year 2004' at the National Business Awards. The smoothie maker, which places people management at the heart of its business strategy, has tailored its benefits package to suit its young workforce. The perks on offer include free private healthcare, flexible working arrangements ...

  • Article

    Event news - Awards deadline draws near

    2004-12-01T00:00:00Z

    Most effective use of an international strategyWinner 2004: Vanco V:ChoiceEntered by Thomsons Online Benefits Vanco claimed to have introduced the first online international and multi- currency flexible benefits programme across eight countries simultaneously.What most impressed the judges, however, was the cost effectiveness of doing this on a budget of only ...

  • Article

    Social aspects mean older staff work longer because they want to.

    2004-12-01T00:00:00Z

    Some 79% of those in employment over the age of 65 work because they enjoy it and it offers them more social opportunities. And the trend shows no sign of slowing with 77% also planning to continue working for as long as they can. Hanover Housing Association's Homes through the ...

  • Opinion

    Sonia Astill, retail HR manager at Argos: opinion

    2004-12-01T00:00:00Z

    Argos, like many other retailers, faces a specific challenge over Christmas with around one-third of our turnover occurring in a 12-week-period. This means that well before even the most zealous of Christmas revellers starts looking for the mistletoe, we are already working hard to ensure that we are geared up ...

  • Article

    News update - IT firm sees absence drop

    2004-12-01T00:00:00Z

    Toshiba's absence management policy has helped it reduce its sickness absence rate by 16%. Following a review of its policies, the electronics firm brought in tighter controls such as return to work interviews for absentees.Susan Stevens, head of HR, said that identifying problem areas was key to the reduction of ...

  • Article

    Lack of able staff to cover is main reason for flex working refusals.

    2004-12-01T00:00:00Z

    While 32% said this was the reason requests weren't granted, 87% of employees who have requested to work flexibly have been accepted. Over a quarter (29%) asked for flexible working to meet childcare responsibilities, while 17% wanted to gain a better balance between work and home life. Some 3% even ...

  • Article

    Voluntary Benefits supplement 2004: Update

    2004-12-01T00:00:00Z

    Caudwell raises charity cashMobile phone company Caudwell Group has raised over £1,000 for charity by launching a voluntary benefits scheme to 6,500 staff.The company, which owns retailer Phones 4 U, raised the amount in the six months since it had joined forces with worksite marketing provider Abbey at Work.Tom Cropper, ...

  • Article

    Voluntary Benefits supplement 2004: Online - Have online perks clicked?

    2004-12-01T00:00:00Z

    Voluntary benefits are often touted as a cheap and effective way to retain and motivate staff, but the schemes have one major weakness - IT.Have a look at the positives first. Technology has transformed the voluntary benefits business. Until a few years ago, the industry relied on old media; paper ...

  • Article

    Voluntary Benefits supplement 2004: Negotiation - Do-it-yourself discounts

    2004-12-01T00:00:00Z

    Do you want to offer champagne benefits on a beer budget? You might even want to dip a toe in the world of voluntary benefits yourself before shelling out for a specialist provider, or add some locally flavoured discounts that your national provider can't.Whatever the reason, by brushing up your ...

  • Article

    News update - IBM to pay £181m into DB scheme

    2004-12-01T00:00:00Z

    IBM has guaranteed to pay £181m into its defined benefit pension scheme over the next three years. The IT firm has reached an agreement with scheme trustees over these contributions to the fund, which is £900m in deficit.Jim Lamb, trustee chairman, added that IBM is looking to change the trust ...

  • Article

    News update - Telco to pay £100m into pension fund

    2004-12-01T00:00:00Z

    Cable & Wireless is to pay £100m into its pension scheme after it unveiled a new organisational structure. The telecoms firm plans to pay the cash into its pension fund, which has a deficit of around £400m, before the end of the year. Following a review of the fund the ...

  • Article

    HSE publishes management standards site

    2004-11-12T00:00:00Z

    The Health & Safety Executive has launched a new website to spell out the latest management standards.As well as outlining the guidelines, the website features tools for employers, including an example stress policy and questionnaire which enables employers to assess their organisation against the standards and identify if they have ...

  • Article

    Tuskerdirect launches new brand

    2004-11-12T00:00:00Z

    Fleet company Tuskerdirect has taken over Goodwood Fleet Management and turned it into a new company – Inspire Fleet Solutions.The two brands will run separately, with the new firm concentrating on fleet management services for corporate clients.

  • Article

    ALD Automotive has updates IT

    2004-11-12T00:00:00Z

    ALD Automotive has updated its IT offering.The fleet management firm said it now has web-enabled many processes to save time for HR staff and cut down on mistakes.Changes include an enhanced online ordering service and a vehicle funding calculator.