All articles by System Administrator – Page 79
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Analysis
Feature - Focus on cars: Early action on smoking in cars advocated
Future legislation could make smoking in some company vehicles illegal, so experts are advocating early action to stop the situation becoming a drag, says Nick GoldingIf you read nothing else, read this ...The final details of the Health Bill, are to be approved in July 2006, outlining future English and ...
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Article
Work-related road accident woes
Employers are not doing enough to prevent work-related road accidents, according to a study by ALD Automotive. Some 40% do not review accidents, and over half (58%) of employers do not interview drivers after accidents. A further 56% do not have a strategy in place to prevent common accidents recurring, ...
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Article
Punch Taverns plans Sip roll out
Punch Taverns is planning the third rollout of a share incentive plan (Sip) after take-up of its first two plans exceeded 50%.Alison Joyce, HR manager at the pub chain, said the scheme would be rolled out in June after an extensive lead-up communication campaign.The company expects take-up to increase this ...
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Article
Staff share oil profits
Oil Spill Response, a not-for-profit organisation owned by over thirty oil companies worldwide, has re-launched its employee phantom share scheme.It is unable to offer a Revenue-approved share scheme to staff because it has no shares of its own, so offers to match staff contributions of up to 5% of their ...
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Article
Research update - Sales link to motivation
Increasing sales performance is a top priority for 36% of managers which introduce motivational schemes for staff according to research by Incentive Direct. Increased staff loyalty and commitment came a close second (cited by 35%), while 26% of respondents use such schemes to boost employees' happiness with their jobs.For more ...
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Article
Legislation update - More staff may be over lifetime limit
Employers which were quick to identify employees whose pension funds would exceed the new lifetime allowance when it was announced in 2002 are being encouraged to carry out a second review to ensure they have communicated with all affected employees.The lifetime allowance limit, which has initially been set at £1.5m ...
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Article
Onerous legal shift in Tupe hearing
Employers involved in Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) (Tupe) proceedings may be liable for incoming employees even before the transfer has taken place.The case, G4S Justice Services v Anstey and Others, which was heard in March, concerned a situation where the outgoing contractor dismissed two employees for gross misconduct ...
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Article
News update - FSA staff shift plans
The Financial Services Authority (FSA) is to increase the amount employees can pay into its pension scheme through salary sacrifice.From June, its 2,900 employees, who can already contribute up to 20% of their salary into the money purchase scheme through salary sacrifice, will be able to contribute up to 40%.Jonathan ...
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News update - Flex right on paper?
Guardian Newspapers is to carry out a feasibility study to assess whether its 1,500 employees would value a flexible benefits scheme.This month, the organisation will carry out a staff survey and hold focus groups to collect employees' views.Sally Webster, HR director, said: "What we are trying to do is create ...
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Flex for Mitsubishi UFJ Securities International
Mitsubishi UFJ Securities International, has consolidated its benefits package into an online flexible benefits scheme to keep its offering in line with competitors.Its MUSI Flex scheme, which was launched in April and is administered by Orbit Benefits, includes options such as life cover, critical illness and childcare vouchers, all of ...
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Article
Synstar's flex on net
Synstar, the customer delivery company which is part of Hewlett-Packard, is rolling out an online flexible benefits package to its employees.It decided to launch the scheme online to ensure benefits could be communicated to all employees, not just those based in its head office.Justine Latter, compensation and benefits manager, said: ...
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Analysis
Rising income protection premiums force employers' hands
Rising premiums are forcing employers to revamp the terms of group income protection plans, with some new policies limiting payout duration, says Edmund TirbuttIf you read nothing else, read this...Rising group income protection premiums have resulted in efforts to reduce benefit promises and control claims.Popular ways of tweaking benefits have ...
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Article
News update - Drugs firm revamps plan rules
Boehringer Ingelheim is making changes to its pension arrangements in response to pensions simplification.The pharmaceuticals manufacturer, which has around 900 employees, runs two pension schemes - a closed defined benefit scheme that is non-contributory and a defined contribution (DC) scheme.Employees in the DC scheme are now able to contribute up ...
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Analysis
Effective HR strategy requires dialogue with finance
Human Resources' interplay with finance chiefs needs delicate execution and it pays to understand each others' priorities, says Debbie LovewellCase studies: Oracle, The Rank GroupArticle in full“It's good to have money and the things that money can buy, but it's good too to check up once in a while and ...
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Analysis
Feature - Focus on pensions: Salary sacrifice threat defused
Sonia Speedy finds it unlikely that the government plans to mount a full-frontal assault on limiting pension schemes offered through salary sacrifice arrangementsArticle in fullFears have arisen that HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) may be gearing up for a crackdown on smart or salary sacrifice pension schemes to claw back ...
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Analysis
Workplace drinking couples risk with reward
Nick Golding questions whether the merits of alcohol-based team building and social incentives outweigh the potential risks of drinkingCase Study: Bacardi-MartiniArticle in fullEmployers are undeniably becoming more health conscious on behalf of their employees. Healthcare benefits are among some of the most popular perks around with 62% of employers providing ...
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Analysis
Healthcare: Cross-continent contingency
Like SARS before it, the avian flu outbreak has left many organisations pondering the consequences of possible pandemic threats, says Kirstie RedfordIf you read nothing else, read this ...A pandemic of avian flu in humans could cause absence rates of 20%-60%.Quarantine measures could make repatriation impossible and force staff to ...
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Article
Buckingham County Council's post-audit holiday
Buckinghamshire County Council has rewarded staff with one extra day's holiday after the council achieved a maximum four-star rating from an Audit Commission comprehensive performance review. The Commission assesses the performance of councils and the services they provide. Gillian Hibberd, corporate director, organisational development and HR at the council, said ...
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Case Studies
Employer Profile: BT
Over the last two years, BT has brought in new grading and reward structures for its managers, adding to never-ending change for the telecoms giant, says Debbie LovewellArticle in fullBT is experienced in dealing with both technological and structural change. Now about to launch a broadband TV proposition, it can ...
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Candid: Confessions of a benefits manager
Candid tackles a US-originated directive that unleashes an entire armoury of HR weapons, including firearms guidelines†Article in fullEthics isn't something I automatically associate with business, particularly not this one. I may be ethically challenged, but I thought the term was about significant life or death decisions like euthanasia and human ...