All articles by Tom Washington
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Analysis
Flexible Benefits: Providers: Choosing a new flavour
If you reading nothing else, read this…Changing flexible benefits provider could take three to six months to complete.Employers should shortlist around six providers and invite them to pitch their flex products and services.Employers should choose a provider that can adapt to their needs cost-effectively over time.An employer considering switching flexible ...
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Article
Buyer's guide to financial education
Focus on factsWhat is financial education?It is a structured process and set of learning objectives designed to inform employees about financial matters. It is often focused on educating around relevant employee benefits, such as pensions and share schemes, but can also include help with saving money. Traditionally, content can be ...
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Case Studies
Source takes employees sailing and skiing
Media recruitment firm Source boosts employee engagement with quarterly nights out for the whole company, plus weekend trips away twice a year.These events are kept separate from work-related activities, and range from dinner and drinks to go-karting, bowling, medieval banquet nights, wine tasting and a karaoke party on a private ...
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Case Studies
Case study: Volunteering is a revelation for Cancer Research staff
Cancer Research UK avoids traditional team-building days, instead encouraging all of its 3,500 employees to take part in volunteering days away from the office.These include working in Cancer Research shops during the busy Christmas period. Jane Vivier, the charity’s reward and recognition manager, says: “We offer opportunities which benefit individuals, ...
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Case Studies
Case study: Awaydays drive engagement at Enterprise Rent-A-Car
Car hire company, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, which employs 3,000 staff in the UK, runs various awaydays throughout the year.These include monthly Elite Club events, a sales incentive in which the top 10 performers from each region are treated to a day out or a weekend away as a reward for sales ...
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Analysis
Awaydays help team building and motivation
If you read nothing else, read this… Employers should set out their objectives and what they want to achieve from the awayday. A seniority-free environment will get the best out of the entire group. Timing must be appropriate. For example, an awayday for the accounts team will not go down ...
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Case Studies
Case study: Argos staff plan a robbery
Milton Keynes-based retail giant Argos runs ad-hoc awaydays for employees, often incorporating team-building activities with the aim of promoting closer working between teams and departments.At an awayday in December, organised in conjunction with events company Spy Games, a 35-strong team took part in an activity called Diamond Heist. Staff were ...
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Case Studies
Online tool handles global flex for Trowers and Hamlins
International law firm Trowers and Hamlins has about 700 employees and partners, with more than 150 of these based in the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Oman and Egypt.Three years ago, the firm decided to ensure its reward package would increase awareness, appreciation and participation in employee benefits, and also improve ...
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Analysis
How to offer flexible benefits internationally
If you read nothing else, read this... International flexible benefits schemes are becoming more popular because of the employee engagement and cost savings they can bring. Global flex helps create a strong employer brand for all staff. Employers must choose providers carefully, ensuring they have the technology and resources to ...
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Case Studies
Case study: Jupiter Hotels finds auto-enrolment schedule hard to check out
National hotel chain Jupiter Hotels operates 26 sites under the Mercure brand in the UK.Auto-enrolment is set to have a significant impact on Jupiter Hotels and the government's initial indication it would delay staging dates for organisations employing fewer than 3,000 staff caused potential difficulties.Because of the complex make-up of ...
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Analysis
Making sense of auto-enrolment staging dates
If you read nothing else, read this... Staging dates are when employers must begin the auto-enrolment process for eligible staff into a qualifying workplace pension scheme. Employers' staging dates are determined by the number of staff members employed at April 2012 and their pay-as-you-earn (PAYE) reference. Staging dates for employers ...
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Case Studies
Case study: FirstGroup stays on schedule for pension reforms
?To prepare for auto-enrolment, FirstGroup is making changes to its pension arrangements and focusing on employee engagement.The company’s staging date is April 2013, when staff will be auto-enrolled into a new defined contribution (DC) scheme offering phased contributions which will reach 5% for both employer and employee. Until then, new ...
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Analysis
Time to show staff the value of pensions
If you read nothing else, read this ...Even though employers will be required to auto-enrol staff into a pension scheme under the 2012 reforms, this will not mean staff will automatically engage with it.This may affect decisions about employer contribution levels and whether to pay above the minimum.Communicating the positive ...
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Article
Buyer's guide to motivation vouchers 2011
Focus on factsWhat are motivation vouchers?These are paper-based or electronic gift cards with a monetary value, which employers can use to incentivise staff. Shopping vouchers can be redeemed at a single store or at multiple retailers. Employers can also offer travel or experience vouchers.What are their origins?Gift vouchers were first ...
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Analysis
Safety is priority with bikes for work
If you read nothing else, read this... Employers should ensure they use a reputable bikes-for-work provider. Promoting awareness of the importance of safety equipment and cycle safety should be part of the launch of a scheme. Unless an employee uses their bicycle for work purposes, it is unlikely a case ...
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Analysis
Health and wellbeing: Cashing in on the best value
If you read nothing else, read this . . . Cash plans reimburse members for the partial or full cost of a range of everyday health treatments, such as dental and optical care. Several providers offer cash plans for £1 a week per employee or less. Employers must shop around ...
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Article
Hitachi Data Systems switches to GPP and launches flexible benefits
Hitachi Data Systems has switched from a trust-based defined contribution (DC) pension plan to a group personal pension (GPP) and launched a flexible benefits scheme.The IT firm also plans to launch total reward statements in January 2012, rolling them out in the UK, the US and one Asia-Pacific country.Carol Baylis, ...
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Article
Goldman Sachs cuts bankers salary as pay deal expires
Goldman Sachs has cut employees' salaries following the expiration of a pay deal introduced two years ago.The firm had handed inflated salaries to several hundred London-based banking staff in 2009 to allay concerns of bonus uncertainty during the financial crisis.During 2009 bankers’ bonuses came under increased scrutiny amid economic turmoil ...
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Analysis
Employees want to participate in volunteering schemes
If you read nothing else, read this . . . Volunteering days are becoming an important part of employers' corporate social responsibility (CSR) programmes. Employers should set goals for the organisation before embarking on a volunteering programme. A broker can help employers find the most worthy cause and best cultural ...
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Case Studies
Case study: Flex is news to E.On employees
As a forward-thinking employer, energy company E.On has taken unusual steps to boost flex take-up acrossits workforce.Reaching the firm’s field workers, of whom there are between 2,500 and 3,000, with flexible benefits information is a tricky task. With that in mind, at the time of its flex enrolment period, E.On ...