All articles by Tynan Barton – Page 32
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OpinionStuart O'Brien: Be aware of updates to statements of investment principles
From October 2019, trustees of all occupational pension schemes with more than 100 members must update their pension scheme’s statement of investment principles (Sip) to cover the trustees’ policies on environmental and other sustainable investment issues.It is important that employers are aware of these changes and discuss approaches with their ...
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Case StudiesUniversity of St Andrews offers employees a range of sustainable travel options
Keen to support its employees with environmentally-friendly travel options, the University of St Andrews introduced an electric bike scheme in July 2018.Funded by Sestrans, the regional transport authority, the scheme allows employees to borrow an e-bike free of charge for up to 24 hours in order to make journeys during ...
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AnalysisWhere does the company car sit in a modern staff travel scheme?
Need to know:Employers are increasingly looking at giving more flexibility in their company car schemes, whether that means a choice of vehicle or a cash alternative.Blended mobility options involve looking at a range of travel possibilities in order to create the most efficient choice that meets both operational and employee ...
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OpinionCaroline Sandall: Modern staff travel schemes are a blended-mobility solution
In April 2013, the Association of Car Fleet Operators (ACFO) published a members’ guide entitled From A to B: The ACFO guide to UK journey planning.It provided a thought-provoking basis from which public, private and voluntary sector organisations could look at just how effective, and sustainable, their existing mobility options ...
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OpinionElaine Rossall: Workplaces that encourage activity can improve employee wellbeing
Once, the office was a fairly uniform place. We turned up in similar outfits, working in similar grey offices and then we would head home. Working life was largely sedentary, and for many it still is.However, the very best modern offices not only look and feel different to those of ...
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OpinionDr Alison Carter: Mindfulness can help support good mental health
With mental and physical health sharing different sides of the same wellbeing coin, it is perhaps unsurprising that organisations ranging from primary schools to the Royal Navy are exploring the potential benefits of mindfulness.There would seem to be an opportunity to create a culture of mindful awareness within organisations aiming ...
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ArticleNell Andrew: How can employers support those affected by domestic abuse?
Domestic abuse has a devastating impact on individuals and their families. With two women every week and one man every month being killed by a partner or ex-partner, according to figures published by the Office for National Statistics in February 2018, having an active, visible workplace policy on domestic abuse ...
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ArticleJacqui Kilburn: How can employers support those affected by domestic abuse?
Domestic abuse has a dramatic impact on all aspects of a woman’s life, including on her employment. We know from our work with survivors that women have lost jobs as a result of their experience of domestic abuse or having to flee their home. We also know that financial concerns, ...
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ArticleMichelle Cronin: How can employers support those affected by domestic abuse?
In December 2018 Thompsons Solicitors pledged its commitment to the GMB union’s Work to Stop Domestic Abuse charter, signed the five-point commitment and pledged to deliver on its aims in full by Autumn 2019, in order to ensure staff across our network of 17 offices have access to support, services ...
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OpinionDavid Mendel: Clear guidelines are needed for wearable technology in the workplace
In an increasingly digital environment, more and more employers are exploring the use of wearable devices in the workplace to enhance employees’ health and wellbeing. However, if data is not used in a transparent way, it can raise a number of legal and practical issues such as data protection and ...
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OpinionMichael Kind: Tech platforms help engage employees with their pensions
Could technology be the answer to pensions engagement? To some extent, yes. PensionBee and Smart Pension being integrated into Yolt and Alexa, respectively, increases the points at which they are visible, and makes employees’ user journey smoother. Simpler touches, such as using educational videos rather than long reams of text, ...
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Case StudiesRSK employees use technology to track steps in pedometer challenge
Engineering and environmental consultancy RSK encourages employees to track their fitness activity through wearable technology and its self-service HR system.Each year since 2015, the organisation has run a four-week pedometer challenge, inviting employees from all global offices to take part. This year, the challenge launched at the beginning of May, ...
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AnalysisThe impact of digital healthcare on health and wellbeing strategies
Need to know:Before investing in a digital healthcare solution, employers must consider their end goal, as well as the demands of the end-user.Organisations should build a strategy to ensure that digital interventions make a real difference to those employees that need it, rather than providing the newest trends.Virtual health can ...
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OpinionIan McKenna: Gamified apps help employees engage with benefits
Smartphones are embedded in the vast majority of consumers’ lives. This should make providing access to employee benefits and health interventions via an app a hygiene factor for any organisation, but is simply enabling an app enough to drive engagement?Phones are littered with applications that have been downloaded with enthusiasm ...
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ArticleSpeed signs Time to Change pledge and introduces enhanced wellbeing programme
On Monday 13 May 2019, Bristol-based PR firm Speed signed the Time to Change pledge, marking Mental Health Awareness Week with a commitment to challenge stigma and provide a supportive and open working environment.The pledge, run by Mind and Rethink Mental Illness, asks employers to implement action plans to support ...
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ArticleMore than half of calls to EAP counselling services are from male employees
Male employees account for 55% of all calls to employee assistance programme (EAP) counselling services, according to data from Personal Group and Health Assured.The data, released on 14 May 2019, revealed that the number of calls from men seeking support through an EAP increased by 84% between May 2018 and ...
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ArticleFour in 10 mothers would work longer hours if childcare costs were lower
Almost four in 10 (38%) women with children would choose to work longer hours if childcare was cheaper, according to research by The People's Pension.Gender pensions gap: Tackling the motherhood penalty, published in May 2019, found that after having children, more than two-fifths of women (44%) reduced their hours, more ...
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ArticleTSB to sign Time to Change pledge to open communications around mental health
Retail and commercial banking organisation TSB has announced that it will sign the the Time to Change pledge, showing its commitment to support the mental health of its employees.The pledge, run by charities Mind and Rethink Mental Illness, supports TSB's commitment to tackling the stigma associated with mental health, and ...
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ArticleOne-third of employees are uncomfortable discussing mental health at work
Almost a third (31%) of employees would not feel comfortable disclosing a mental health issue at work, according to research by payroll and HR solutions provider ADP.The Workforce view in Europe 2019, published in March, surveyed 10,585 working adults across France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Spain, Switzerland and the ...
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ArticleChris Curry: What does the CDC decision mean for workplace pension schemes?
One of the most eagerly anticipated parts of the new Pensions Bill promised in the 2019 Queen’s Speech is legislation that will enable Royal Mail to open a new collective defined contribution (CDC) scheme for its employees, replacing their current defined contribution (DC) pension.The expected legislation, as trailed in the ...