All Employee Benefits articles in Web Issue – Page 434
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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
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
Pension contribution increases for civil servants, NHS workers and teachers
The government has proposed how much extra pension contributions will be paid by civil servants, NHS workers and teachers as part of its reforms to public sector pensions.The Cabinet Office, Department for Education and the NHS have published consultations on pension contribution increases for civil servants, teachers and NHS staff ...
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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
Employee Benefits Workplace Savings and Pensions Research 2011: Contributions
Many employers are already contributing more to their pension schemes than will be required under the Pensions Act 2008, says Debbie Lovewell†When the Pensions Act 2008 begins to come into effect next year, employers will be required to auto-enrol all eligible employees into either a qualifying workplace pension scheme or ...
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Article
Employee Benefits Workplace Savings Research 2011: Attitudes
Most employers are getting serious about ensuring their employees' long-term financial wellbeing, but some feel they should be doing more, says Debbie LovewellDespite sensationalised press coverage to the contrary, employers appear to take their responsibility for employees' long-term financial wellbeing seriously. Nine years ago, 51% of respondents said they felt ...
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Article
Employee Benefits Workplace Savings and Pensions Research 2011: Schemes on offer
As the move from DB to DC pension schemes continues, employers are helping staff take a more holistic approach to workplace savings, says Debbie Lovewell†Just 4% of respondents now only operate a DB arrangement, while 71% only offer DC and 25% offer both types of scheme. More than half (54%) ...
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Article
Employee Benefits Workplace Savings and Pensions Research 2011: Legislation
Employers are focusing on the effects of next year’s pension reforms, including how to mitigate any increased costs from compliance, says Debbie LovewellWith the Pensions Act 2008 due to begin taking effect next year, employers must increasingly consider the impact it will have on their pension schemes and plan how ...
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Article
Employee Benefits Workplace Savings and Pensions Research 2011: Key Findings
Our survey, which was carried out in June 2011 among readers of Employee Benefits magazine and users of www.employeebenefits.co.uk, received 261 responses†KEY FINDINGS 74% say complying with the 2012 pension reforms will increase costs. 38% intend to review future pay increases to help fund compulsory employer contributions, while 30% will ...
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Article
Employee Benefits Workplace Savings and Pensions Research 2011
Key findingsLegislationSchemes on offerAttitudesContributionsInvestment†Editor’s commentThere is now just over a year to go until the Pensions Act 2008 comes into effect for the first tranche of employers.Planning for the reforms and considering the impact compliance is likely to have on their pensions provision and overall costs will be an increasing ...
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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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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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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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Article
Debi O'Donovan, editor of Employee Benefits: Plan ahead to answer the age-old question
October is D-Day for scrapping the default retirement age (DRA). I expect that, for most British workers, it will go unnoticed. I also predict that it will not be too many years before we all find it quaint or outrageous that employers were ever allowed to discard staff in such ...
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Article
Interview with Andrew Clark, head of reward at the John Lewis Partnership
Andrew Clark, head of reward at the John Lewis Partnership, is dedicated to maintaining the organisation’s high standards in benefits and reward for all of its employeesAs a self-confessed John Lewis lifer, Andrew Clark, head of reward at the John Lewis Partnership, has experienced his share of roles and locations ...
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Article
Ant Donaldson: What impact would integrating tax and NI have on reward?
Ant Donaldson, senior specialist, employee benefits at E.On UK:Anything that simplifies tax regulations has to be viewed in a positive light, provided people do not lose out.Income tax and national insurance (NI) have different thresholds and limits and interact with reward in varying ways, making it hard to explain them ...
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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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Article
Confessions of a benefits manager: The IT crowd
Computer problems compel Candid to enter the strange world of the new technology department, now appropriately named GITI have had a rather peculiar email from the IT department. Well, considering it is from IT, who are the embodiment of peculiar, I guess it is not all that odd. It tells ...
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Article
Buyer's guide to dental benefits
Focus on factsWhat are dental benefits? Dental benefits provide financial assistance with some, or all, of the costs of seeing a dentist. Benefits can be delivered through a dental insurance scheme of which there are two types available. One gives cover limits for broad areas such as routine examinations, hygiene ...
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Analysis
Flexible benefits for a diverse workforce
If you read nothing else, read this... A flex scheme needs to reflect the culture of different groups of staff. An employer must choose the design and communications that best reflect the diversity of the organisation. A flex scheme should include a range of benefits that are attractive to different ...