All articles by Tynan Barton – Page 58
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Article
Siemens adds communication campaign and total reward statements
Siemens has enhanced its employer value proposition (EVP) with a new campaign and total reward statements to ensure its 17,000 UK staff are aware of the benefits available.Its ‘What’s in it for you’ campaign focuses on an interactive online feature, which has four categories: pay and benefits, great place to ...
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Article
News analysis: Safety first on health cover
Employers may be concerned when health insurance products are withdrawn from the market, but there are safeguards they can take, says Tynan BartonNews of the withdrawal of health insurance products and providers from the market have triggered debate about where an employer stands when services are removed or, in extreme ...
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Article
Alzheimer Scotland adds eyecare plan
Alzheimer Scotland introduced a new eyecare scheme for its 900 staff at the beginning of June.Under the scheme, provided by Specsavers Corporate Eyecare, staff obtain vouchers that can be redeemed against an eye test and up to £65 off Specsavers glasses.The charity's previous eyecare scheme was solely for visual display ...
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Article
Institute and Faculty of Actuaries introduces new pay and bonus strategy
The Institute and Faculty of Actuaries has introduced a new pay and bonus strategy after a merger and restructure.After the merger of the Institute of Actuaries and the Faculty of Actuaries was completed in 2010, the organisation decided to ensure its structure and reward strategy was robust.Consultations on pay with ...
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Article
Now Health International introduces online facility for PMI quotes
Now Health International has introduced an online facility to enable employers to get an immediate quote for group international private medical insurance (PMI).It is aimed at small to medium-sized enterprises or those that want cover for up to 50 staff. It enables an employerto get a quote within minutes based ...
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Article
Swansea Council switches childcare vouchers provider
The City and County of Swansea Council has switched providers of its childcare voucher scheme.The scheme, which is open to its 11,500 employees, allows staff to buy childcare vouchers worth up to £243 a month from their salary pre-tax and national insurance.The council previously had a scheme in place but ...
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Case Studies
Case study: B&Q fits in older workers
DIY retailer B&Q sees that an age-diverse workforce brings a wealth of skills and experience. It has operated without a default retirement age for over 15 years, and aims to provide ageneutral benefits for its 32,000 employees.This means ensuring the perks for staff across its 300 UK branches, such as ...
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Analysis
Pilot schemes are a good way to test benefits
If you read nothing else, read this… Running a pilot benefit scheme is a good way to find out how it will work, timescales and budgets, what communications are needed, and whether it is right for the workforce. Preparations should include details on expected outcomes, as well as the desired ...
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Case Studies
Case study: Marks and Spencer sells flexible approach
At Marks and Spencer, a workforce with a broad age demographic means ensuring the benefits that it offers are relevant to all generations.The retail firm has operated without a default retirement age since 2001.In 2006, it introduced flexible retirement, offering staff the opportunity to retire and take their pension while ...
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Analysis
Planning ahead for an ageing workforce
If you read nothing else, read this… Taking a long-term view of the workforce is essential. Reward can play a key role in recruitment, retention and staff development strategies. With people living longer, pensions will have to stretch further, so many people will consider staying in work past ...
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Analysis
Are fit notes reducing staff absences?
If you read nothing else, read this... The fit note is the first major change to sickness absence certification since 1923. It aims to move away from the idea of whether an employee is simply ill or not, to one of capability, detailing what they are fit for. Better communication ...
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Case Studies
Case study: Fasset facilitates 30% fall in absence
At facilities management firm Fasset, having a clear absence policy that facilitates occupational health and the fit note gives a clear view of absence and helps staff return to work quickly.Fasset launched a new absence policy in February 2010. It involves training all supervisors and managers, and letting staff know ...
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Article
HMRC confirms VAT charge on bikes-for-work schemes
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has confirmed that bikes-for-work schemes offered through salary sacrifice arrangements are liable to a VAT charge to employees.†The ruling is in response to a recent European Court of Justice judgement. The charge is to take effect from 1 January 2012.HMRC said employers that provide bikes ...
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Article
Hampshire Pension Fund provides additional voluntary contributions for pensions
Local government pension scheme The Hampshire Pension Fund has appointed Prudential to provide additional voluntary contributions (AVCs) to scheme members.The scheme has more than 45,000 members, only a small percentage of whom currently pay AVCs.The new appointment means Prudential now provides AVC facilities to 68 out of the 99 local ...
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Article
Hastings Direct pledges 1,000 days support for charity
Hastings Direct has pledged to give 1,000 days support for charity, one day each for every member of staff.The insurance broker has announced that its charity this year is Raystede Welfare Centre for Animals.Edward Fitzmaurice, chief executive officer at Hastings Direct, will kick off the 1,000 day pledge by taking ...
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Article
World at Work and Hay Group research: Career development is top reward fairness concern
Career development opportunity is the top concern in reward fairness, according to new research by World at Work, Hay Group and Professor Dow Scott from Loyola University Chicago.The Reward fairness: slippery slope or manageable terrain? report identified the criteria that have the biggest impact on employee perceptions of reward fairness.After ...
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Article
Spence and Partners is appointed to actuarial panel
The Pension Protection Fund (PPF) has appointed Spence and Partners Actuaries and Consultants as a member to a new actuarial panel.The PPF has chosen five actuarial firms for the panel that will assist in carrying out valuations for pension schemes going through the PPF assessment period.Brian Spence, managing director at ...
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Article
Capita Hartshead acquires NorthgateArinso’s pensions operations
Capita Hartshead has announced the acquisition of NorthgateArinso’s pensions business.The division, which has around 64 clients, provides outsourcing administration and services to in-house pension departments.It is proposed that the 89 employees who work in NorthgateArinso’s pension division will transfer to Capita Hartshead.The completion of the contract is scheduled for 5 ...
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Article
Pitmans Trustees to launch a specialist unit for charity pension schemes
Pitmans Trustees has announced plans to launch a new specialist unit that will focus exclusively on charity pension schemes.Melanie Cusack, client director at Pitmans Trustees, will head up the unit.Cusack said: “The charity sector has very specific needs which, all too often are not being met.“We have gained valuable insight ...
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Article
Asda celebrates 15,000 years’ service from employees
Asda employees celebrated 15,000 years’ service at the supermarket’s Big Anniversary celebration.The 700 attendees of the celebration will receive an extra week’s holiday and £300 each.The annual event, this year held at Harewood House in Leeds on 20 July, recognises employees with 25, 30 and 40 years’ service with the ...