All Employee Benefits articles in Web Issue – Page 248
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Article
Employee Benefits Research 2009: core benefits offered
The past five years have seen little change in the top benefits offered in a traditional core package. For many years, training and development was viewed as a human resource strategy separate to benefits strategy. But the growing prominence of total reward strategies has led to more training and development ...
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Article
Confessions of a benefits manager: Age concern
An invitation to an actuaries' annual dinner promises an evening of boredom, albeit in luxurious surroundings, but ends up bringing Candid some unwanted attention from the older generationI don't know what came over me, but I have accepted a dinner invitation. Some people jump at the chance of a corporate ...
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Article
Buyer's guide to pensions modellers (May 2009)
Modelling tools can spark interest in pension plans by forecasting staff income in retirement, says Alison ColemanOne of the most valuable benefits that employers can offer staff is an occupational pension scheme, yet because of ignorance or apathy, many employees fail to grasp its value.Pensions modelling tools, which carry out ...
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Article
Buyer's guide to healthcare cash plans (May 2009)
As employers try to trim the cost of healthcare benefits, cash plans are increasing in popularity as a value-for-money perk, says Sam BarrettOnce seen as a poor relation of private medical insurance (PMI), healthcare cash plans are proving their worth as a mature and flexible employee benefit. With healthcare spend ...
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Case Studies
Employer profile: Yorkshire and Clydesdale Banks
A philosophy of ‘boring is good’ has served Yorkshire and Clydesdale Banks well during the recession, but that description does not apply to its staff perks, says Tom WashingtonYorkshire Bank celebrates its 150th anniversary this year, and has seen off one or two recessions in its time. But given the ...
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Analysis
Running voucher-based motivation schemes in a recession
Voucher-based motivation schemes can help to maintain staff morale in difficult economic times but there are pitfalls, says Nicola SullivanThe primary focus of many reward managers in recent months has been on performance bonuses, as they react to criticism that annual incentives drive inappropriate short-term behaviours. The resultant rush to ...
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Analysis
Human capital management can add value to an organisation
Good human capital management can add real value to an organisation, explains Nicola SullivanThis recession has brought an almost unprecedented interest in the link between an organisation’s financial performance and the way its employees are rewarded and managed. As failed financial institutions have found enough money in the pot for ...
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Article
Employers need to convey value of total reward
Employers need to convey the total value of their reward package, says Nicola SullivanTotal reward is a concept that looks beyond the standard forms of remuneration, such as salary, and recognises the role that many of the less tangible aspects of an employment package can play in motivating and engaging ...
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Analysis
Benefits in Japan
While Japan’s employers seek to cut back on employees, pay and bonuses during the recession, core benefits such as healthcare and pensions are coming under the spotlight, says Tom WashingtonAs the global financial crisis deepens, Japan’s reliance on exports saw its GDP fall by 12.8% between October and December 2008 ...
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Analysis
Stakeholder pension scheme versus personal accounts
As 2012 and personal accounts get ever closer, the debate continues over whether they will have any advantages over stakeholder pension schemes, or vice versa, says Sarah ColesWhen the writers of Groundhog Day were looking for the quintessential annoying individual to pester Bill Murray on the day he was doomed ...
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Analysis
Dental perks in the recession
The high cost of dental treatment and a lack of NHS dentists are driving take-up of oral health benefits, but voluntary schemes may not succeed during the recession, says Tom WashingtonAnyone who has visited the dentist and walked away with a huge bill will know just how costly poor oral ...
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Article
Interview with Debra Corey, senior director, compensation and benefits, EMEA at Quintiles
Debra Corey, senior director, compensation and benefits, EMEA at Quintiles, has a flexible approach to perksIt is rare to find a compensation and benefits professional who can say their sporting achievements led to them entering the world of reward. In Debra Corey’s case, it was taking part in competitive gymnastics ...
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Article
Douglas Ross, corporate human resources manager, Roche: Flexibility is key to offering the right package
An attractive benefits package is key in attracting and retaining talented employees, especially in an economic downturn. An increasing focus on work-life balance, flexible working and personalised packages allows employers to move away from a one-size-fits-all approach to reward.This was certainly the case for Roche. We have used staff feedback ...
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Article
Gillian Hibberd, president of the Public Sector People Managers Association: United approach will help to survive the crisis
These are difficult times and there are tough decisions to make. The recession has impacted on organisations so quickly, they must be flexible to survive. Short-term approaches, or panic-induced cost-cutting, can be destructive and take years to undo.Now, more than ever, organisations must recognise that their employees are their most ...
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Article
Benefits Surgery: Employment contracts
Q Does the introduction of pay freezes and/or a decision to reduce the working week to four days require employees' consent?A Employment contracts often state that the employer will conduct a periodic salary review at its complete discretion, with no obligation on the employer to agree to an increase. As ...
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Analysis
New analysis: Salary sacrifice no solution to Budget pension changes
Those who thought they had seen a way round Mr Darling's pension tax relief cuts must think again.Salary sacrifice around pension contributions may not be such a good bet as was first thought after last month's Budget, when Chancellor Alistair Darling said tax relief on pension contributions for high earners ...
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Article
Crawley Borough Council to run health and wellbeing events
Crawley Borough Council is to run a series of health and wellbeing events in June and September to encourage its 800 staff to lead healthier lives.June's events will focus on men's health, and those in September will cover a broader range of activities, including lunch-time walks, taster dance lessons, tai ...
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Article
Industry's elite to gather at EB Summit
Reward managers from top firms such as BP, Virgin, Sony Pictures and Kellogg's will be among delegates at the Employee Benefits Summit in Monte Carlo on 3-5 June.The Summit, in its fourth year, is established as the premier reward event for the UK's top benefits managers to exchange views on ...
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Article
Zurich launches online self-service pensions system
Zurich Financial Services has launched an online self-service pensions facility for staff to improve engagement.The system went live for 7,500 active members of ZPen - the firm’s collective name for its defined contribution and defined benefit pension schemes - last month, and will be rolled out to its 22,000 deferred ...
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Article
KPMG staff opt for flexibility to save jobs
About 85% of KPMG's 11,000 staff have volunteered to move to a four-day week or take a partially-paid career break if such steps become necessary to prevent redundancies during the recession.The voluntary career breaks will last between four and 12 weeks on 30% of pay. Staff were asked to submit ...