All Employee Benefits articles in Web Issue – Page 459
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Case Studies
Case study: Prevention pays off for Legal and General in sickness absence
Legal and General reduced its sickness absence levels by 15%, saving almost £70,000, after piloting a preventativehealth programme for six months. Between November 2010 and April 2011, the insurer’s sickness absence rates were 15% lower across a pilot group of 1,000 staff, compared with the same period in 2009/10, and ...
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Analysis
Sickness absence: New plans in older era
If you read nothing else, read this . . . Older people tend to take fewer absences but can be off for longer. Wellness initiatives may need to be targeted at particular staff segments. Employers should ensure their healthcare perks are relevant for an older workforce.†With no default retirement age, ...
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Analysis
Sickness absence: Healthy offensive
If you read nothing else, read this . . . Direct contact with the boss can create a positive working environment. Work, providing it is good work, can be good for employees' health. Employers need to reinforce benefit messaging, especially around employee assistance programmes, to ensure staff are aware these ...
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Analysis
Sickness absence: Open plan to tackle stress
If you read nothing else, read this . . . Stigmas associated with mental health problems can create a culture of silence, with staff afraid to talk about their health issues and employers scared to offer support in case they say the wrong thing. High-profile cases of mental health problems, ...
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Analysis
Sickness absence: Diagnosing the causes
If you read nothing else, read this … Causes of absence, especially mental health problems, can be hidden because many employees are worried about the consequences of disclosing them. Early intervention can ensure an employee feels valued and help their return to work. Line manager training is essential to enable ...
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Analysis
Sickess absence: Sponsor's comment: In fitness and in health
There are many ways to improve the wellbeing of a workforce, says Ann Dougan, marketing director at Cigna HealthCare BenefitsWe often ask: what is more important to employers healthy employees or employees who are fit for work? Interestingly, it appears many do not make this distinction or recognise that to ...
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Case Studies
Case study: Metal Assemblies steels workers for pension reforms
Metal Assemblies, a manufacturer of pressed steel components and assemblies for the automotive industry, employs about 120 people and has traditionally operated a stakeholder pension scheme into which it contributed 3% of all employee earnings.In September, the business moved all its existing staff over to the national employment savings trust ...
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Analysis
Pension reforms: Sponsor's comment: Get ready for the 'big bang'
Engagement of employees is a key objective when preparing for the pension reforms, says Matt Waller, chief executive officer at BenefexWith October 2012 fast approaching, the biggest change to the pensions landscape for a generation is looming ever closer. Countless organisations are still scrambling to get ready for the new ...
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Article
Confessions of a benefits manager: If the face-time fits...
A mystery meeting with the company's president of Europe takes Candid to Italy and a chance to improve her international statusNow I've heard it all. Big Bad Boss wants me to go to Italy to look some bloke in the eye. Eh? It sounds nice, but our Italian office is ...
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Article
Interview with Mirka Slater, EMEA benefits manager at Expedia.com
The biggest challenge for Mirka Slater, EMEA benefits manager at Expedia.com, is finding enough time to manage changes across the 22 countries for which she is responsibleMirka Slater, Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) benefits manager at Expedia.com, which includes Egencia, TripAdvisor and Holiday Lettings, has found that working for ...
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Analysis
Benefits in India
If you read nothing else, read this… Flexible benefits plans are gaining popularity in India as the typical employee demographic evolves. Leased company cars are popular, with tax incentives available. Training and education have become a key benefit provided by Indian employers. End-of-service perks are generous, including provident funds, gratuity,and ...
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Analysis
Use of technology in healthcare benefits
If you read nothing else, read this...More employers are investing in healthcare technology, such as online wellness programmes, flex platforms and smartphone applications.Online healthcare provision can be offered and accessed 24 hours a day.Web portals and flex platforms make it easier to manage sickness absence, wellness programmes and benefits.Do not ...
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Analysis
How to cope with the rising costs of healthcare benefits
If you read nothing else, read this... The health of the workforce is more important than ever because people are working longer and older workers have a greater chance of being affected by a long-term health condition. Wellness schemes are a good way of keeping employees healthy and can help ...
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Analysis
Safety is priority with bikes for work
If you read nothing else, read this... Employers should ensure they use a reputable bikes-for-work provider. Promoting awareness of the importance of safety equipment and cycle safety should be part of the launch of a scheme. Unless an employee uses their bicycle for work purposes, it is unlikely a case ...
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Article
Buyer's guide to critical illness insurance
Key factsWhat is critical illness insurance?Group critical illness insurance pays a tax-free lump sum if an employee is diagnosed with one of a number of stated serious health conditions and subsequently survives for a specified period typically 14 days. Payment is made regardless of how long it takes to recover, ...
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Case Studies
Case study: Volvo Car UK plays its motivation cards right
Staff motivation is a greater challenge when the 'motivatees' are not under the organisation's direct control, as with Volvo Car UK and its nationwide franchise dealerships, which range from PLCs to owner-operators.Programme manager Bob Moore says: "Previous incentives to improve behavioural changes among the sales teams delivered only short-term results. ...
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Case Studies
Case study: Student Loans Company staff cash in on reward cards
The Student Loans Company, which administers government-funded loans and grants to UK students, processes about 900,000 new applications a year, most of which arrive between June and October.In the run-up to last year's four-month peak, the HR department introduced a motivational programme to recognise and reward performance and inject an ...
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Analysis
Pre-paid cards grow as employee motivation tool
Employers can also enable staff to make a monthly salary deduction with the value loaded onto their card, enabling them to obtain cash back and discounts on purchases at selected retailers. This can appeal to staff looking to get the best value for their money.One of the advantages of pre-paid ...
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Analysis
Carlsberg UK wants a healthy workforce
The continuing economic uncertainty has not been good news for the beer industry despite the popular belief that many people still like a drink when times are tough. This year, Carlsberg UK closed its 186-year-old Tetley brewery in Leeds, which resulted in more than 150 redundancies. The Danish firm said ...
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Case Studies
Case study: Marks and Spencer staff get the message on shares
When Marks and Spencer (M&S) communicates the maturity of its sharesave schemes, it simplifies the message to ensure staff make the right decision. The retailer has been offering staff sharesave schemes for 30 years.Ann Govier, manager of senior remuneration and employee share schemes at M&S, says: “Some people find shares ...