All articles by Tynan Barton – Page 84

  • Article

    Budget 2010: Higher rate capital gains tax to increase from midnight

    2010-06-22T13:57:31Z

    Capital gains tax (CGT) is to increase to 28% for higher-rate tax payers from midnight.But in the first budget from the Conservative/Liberal Democrat coalition government, Chancellor George Osborne announced CGT will remain at 18% for low and middle-income earners.The rise in CGT for higher-rate tax payers will mean affected employees ...

  • Article

    Default retirement age should be abolished immediately

    2010-06-21T10:38:16Z

    The majority of people (65%) want the government to scrap the forced retirement age, according to a new survey by charity Age UK.The survey also found widespread opposition to the principles of the legislation, with 75% of respondents aged 25-44 believing employers should not be allowed to force employees to ...

  • Article

    Employees not doing enough retirement planning

    2010-06-15T09:55:30Z

    Employees are not doing enough to plan for their retirement, according to new study from the Institute for Employment Studies (IES).Its study Should I stay or should I go? found many employees, particularly those in their early 50s, have done little in the way of forward planning for retirement.It also ...

  • Article

    Panasonic launches voluntary benefits scheme

    2010-06-15T09:15:00Z

    Panasonic Europe has launched a voluntary benefits scheme to complement a flexible benefits plan due to launch in July.Through the voluntary benefits scheme, which is provided by LogBuy, Panasonic’s 550 UK employees can access lifestyle deals and discounts online via their company portal or with a benefits card which allows ...

  • Article

    Northern Rock to close final salary pension scheme

    2010-06-09T11:05:41Z

    Northern Rock has proposed to close the final salary section of its pension scheme as it prepares to be sold by the government.The bank also plans to cut up to 650 jobs as part of its restructuring process in preparation for a return to private ownership.Members of the final salary ...

  • Article

    UK divided by benefits

    2010-06-09T10:33:49Z

    The UK is a nation divided by benefits, according to new research from Vebnet.The survey of UK employees found that as well as variations between genders and age groups, benefit choices also differ greatly between regions.People in the south west are most likely to increase their pensions savings, with 17% ...

  • Article

    John Lewis' wellbeing scheme on track to achieve goals

    2010-06-08T23:00:00Z

    One of John Lewis Partnership’s health and wellbeing programmes is on track to achieve its aims.Nineteen months after the retailer implemented its ‘Partners in Sport’ scheme, almost 10,000 partners (employees) have been involved in one or more aspects of the programme. The organisation has also invested more than £1 million ...

  • Article

    Employers face higher costs for providing group risk benefits

    2010-06-08T09:51:18Z

    Employers could face higher costs for providing life, critical illness and income protection insurance as benefits for staff, according to new research from Aon Consulting.Its annual survey of group risk insurers and reinsurers found that although the cost of providing group risk benefits was cheaper in 2009 than 2008, underwriters ...

  • Article

    Royal Bank of Canada staff raise money for Great Ormond Street Hospital

    2010-06-07T09:14:00Z

    Staff from the Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) have taken part in a five-kilometre fun run in support of Great Ormond Street Hospital.More than 350 of the bank’s employees, friends and families took part in the RBC sponsored Race for the Kids in Battersea Park, London, on 6 June.In total, ...

  • Article

    Rise in public sector pay freezes

    2010-06-03T09:54:39Z

    Pay freezes in the public sector have increased despite a decline in the overall number of freezes across all sectors.The latest research on pay settlements from Income Data Services (IDS) found pay freezes have dropped to the lowest level since January 2009, now accounting for less than a fifth of ...

  • Article

    Alico launches interactive health service clinic

    2010-06-02T09:23:06Z

    Alico Employee Benefits has launched an interactive health service clinic as an add-on to its group insurance benefits products.The interactive service, MedClick, has been launched to help employers encourage a healthier and more proactive workforce by offering employees assistance in managing their health needs.MedClick offers 24-hour direct access to a ...

  • Article

    Flexible working is most popular benefit

    2010-06-01T10:08:36Z

    Flexible working is the most valued benefit for employees, ahead of bonuses according to research by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PWC).Its Managing Tomorrow’s People found flexible working arrangements were rated the most important benefit by 47% of respondents, compared to performance-related bonuses which came second (19%).The results come as the new coalition government ...

  • Article

    Eaton Corporation re-launches voluntary benefits book

    2010-06-01T09:31:59Z

    Industrial manufacturer Eaton Corporation has re-launched its voluntary benefits book for its 3,500 employees.The company re-launched its benefits book in conjunction with the Personal Group to ensure employees are kept up to date with the benefits available to them.The voluntary benefits book was originally launched two years ago but Eaton ...

  • Article

    Towry winds up legacy defined contribution (DC) plan

    2010-06-01T00:00:01Z

    Financial advisory group Towry is winding up the trust-based defined contribution (DC) pension plan of Edward Jones, which it acquired last November.It will offer the firm’s 250 staff the option of joining Towry’s group personal pension (GPP) plan, run by Zurich, or group self-invested personal pension (Sipp).Towry has also increased ...

  • Article

    Tusker launches online fuel savings calculator for salary sacrifice schemes

    2010-06-01T00:00:01Z

    Leasing and fleet management supplier Tusker has launched an online fuel savings calculator to show salary sacrifice drivers how their new company car compares to their existing vehicle.The fuel savings calculator, available through Tusker’s online platform, is included as an additional service for employees who have decided to select a ...

  • Article

    Pentland Brands moves from employee car ownership scheme to company cars

    2010-06-01T00:00:01Z

    Pentland Brands has changed its car scheme from an employee car ownership (Eco) scheme to company cars.The brand management group has appointed fleet management firm Alphabet to manage the change and supply cars and fleet management services, funded on a contract hire arrangement.Portland Brands decided to move away from its ...

  • Analysis

    Obesity is a heavy responsibility

    2010-05-31T23:00:00Z

    If you read nothing else, read this…Over 20% of the UK population is classified as clinically obese.Obesity can lead to conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease and musculoskeletal problems.Addressing obesity and weight issues can lead to a reduction in sickness absence levels for employers and may result ...

  • Article

    Civil Aviation Authority hosts benefits awareness events

    2010-05-31T23:00:00Z

    The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) recently held employee benefit days to raise awareness of the benefits packages available and also to improve morale following a pay freeze in 2009.The CAA held two benefit days at its main offices in London and Gatwick at the end of March, which were attended ...

  • Article

    Buyer's guide to payroll software (June 2010)

    2010-05-31T23:00:00Z

    Payroll software can perform various tasks as well as ensuring staff are paid the right amount on the right day, and employers must choose their system carefully, says Tynan BartonPayroll software systems are designed to ensure employees are paid the correct amount, on time, for the work they have done ...

  • Article

    Esure appoints Capita to provide payroll administration

    2010-05-28T09:45:03Z

    Esure has signed a three-year deal with Capita HR Solutions to provide payroll administration services.The insurance company’s 1,500 UK employees will get a managed payroll service on the integrated ‘Ingenuity’ platform, and monthly employee and third party BACS process to make employee payments.Esure’s HR staff will also be able to ...