All Employee Benefits articles in Web Issue – Page 582

  • Article

    Zenith boosts CSR strategy

    2013-01-25T10:30:00Z

    Zenith is boosting its corporate social responsibility (CSR) strategy by helping its employees to volunteer in the local community.This includes working with Leeds Ahead, an employee volunteering organisation, to allow staff from the leasing and fleet management firm to attend the Make the Grade event at Cranshaw School in Leeds. ...

  • Article

    Gender pay gap persists in Europe

    2013-01-25T11:51:00Z

    Female board members in Europe are paid 9% less than male counterparts, a rise of two percentage points from 2011, according to research by Hay Group.Its Non-executive directors in Europe report found that more women are being appointed as directors in Europe, with only one (Italy) of the 12 European ...

  • Article

    Call for DB pensions evidence

    2013-01-25T12:09:00Z

    The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has called for evidence on the impact of funding defined benefit (DB) pension schemes on investment and growth.The DWP has asked two questions:Should employers undergoing valuations of DB pension deficits be allowed to smooth the calculations of their asset and liabilities?Should The Pensions ...

  • Article

    Payroll-giving consultation launched

    2013-01-25T12:09:00Z

    The government has launched a consultation on proposals to reform payroll giving, including simplifying the scheme’s administration and making it easier for employees to give through their payroll.Payroll-giving schemes allow UK employees to donate to charity through their pay on a tax-free basis. Donations are deducted from gross pay, so ...

  • Article

    Health cash plan report 2013

    2013-01-28T00:00:00Z

    Employee Benefits’ Health Cash Plans report highlights the mains topics and issues employers should be aware of around health cash plans.The report (download pdf) covers:Health cash plans versus primvate medical insuranceCheck out the providers and what they offerUnusual requests challenge cash plan providersThe devil can be in the detail for ...

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    Article

    Buyer's guide to flexible benefits technology 2013

    2013-01-28T00:00:00Z

    Flexible benefits technology has come a long way since it made its first tentative appearance in the employee benefits arena more than two decades ago, and it continues to evolve rapidly. New developments in technology, systems and software have transformed the way flex schemes are devised, administered and used.Most notable ...

  • Article

    Buyer's guide to bikes-for-work schemes 2013

    2013-01-28T00:00:00Z

    Britain’s cycling success in the 2012 Olympics and Paralympics and the Tour de France gave bikes-for work schemes a boost. They were already a popular incentive for various reasons, including improving employees’ health and helping to reduce traffic pollution.But one of the biggest draws is the tax breaks available when ...

  • Case Studies

    Parental perks add up for Deloitte

    2013-01-28T00:00:00Z

    Equally popular is a dedicated support network through which working parents can connect with each another across the accountancy firm, plus a parenting intranet site that carries useful information for working families. Childcare vouchers are available through provider Edenred.Following a provider switch from Bright Horizons to My Family Care last ...

  • Opinion

    Alex Fricke: Voluntary benefits motivate parents

    2013-01-28T00:00:00Z

    Some employers also run parents’ networks or seminars, offer maternity coaching and have a dedicated parent and child room on-site.Voluntary benefits such as these help employers to recruit, motivate and retain working parents. Childcare vouchers can be offered through a salary sacrifice arrangement, which affords advantages in tax and national ...

  • Article

    Debbie Lovewell: Annuity education required

    2013-01-28T00:00:00Z

    So talk of annuities can simply compound the problem.With a wide range of annuities now available for those in defined contribution (DC) plans, it is not surprising staff can find the choice overwhelming. That is if they realise they have a choice at all and don’t simply have to buy ...

  • Article

    Auto-enrolment concern over employer pension contributions

    2013-01-28T00:00:00Z

    Research published by Aon Hewitt in January found that nearly one in three employers have considered reducing contribution levels for staff being auto-enrolled into existing defined contribution (DC) schemes.James Patten, principal consultant at Aon Hewitt (pictured), said: “If employers were to auto-enrol non-members into their current scheme on the basis ...

  • Deolitte
    Analysis

    Voluntary benefits for parents pay off

    2013-01-28T00:00:00Z

    IF YOU READ NOTHING ELSE, READ THIS…Providing family-friendly voluntary benefits helps to retain staff.Parental coaching is a growing trend among employers that are keen to retain their top talent.Childcare vouchers are a popular benefit to support working parents.Childcare has been identified as a key priority for the government over the ...

  • Child cover
    Analysis

    Check health cash plans' small print

    2013-01-28T00:00:00Z

    IF YOU READ NOTHING ELSE, READ THIS…Small print may restrict cash plan claims.Employers should read cash plan terms and conditions carefully before implementing a scheme.Employees need educating about the terms and conditions of their plan.Employers’ need for valuable employee benefits has never been greater, so it is important to ensure ...

  • Analysis

    Quirky requests for health cash plan cover

    2013-01-28T00:00:00Z

    IF YOU READ NOTHING ELSE, READ THIS…Traditional health cash plans have come to include benefits such as aromatherapy massages, hypnotherapy and reflexology.Some cash plan providers have been asked to cover laser tattoo removals, breast augmentations and pet insurance.Quirkier requests are more often made by individual employees than by employers, and ...

  • Histroy-fact-file
    Analysis

    What's on offer in the health cash plan market?

    2013-01-28T00:00:00Z

    IF YOU READ NOTHING ELSE, READ THIS…Cash plan providers cover myriad benefits.Costs start from £1 per employee per week.Not-for-profit health cash plan providers dominate the market.Dental and optical are the most common benefits on which providers pay out.There has been an increase in corporate health cash plan subscribers.Health cash plans ...

  • Dennis Publishing
    Analysis

    Health cash plans versus private medical insurance

    2013-01-28T00:00:00Z

    IF YOU READ NOTHING ELSE, READ THIS…Health cash plans can be offered to employees for as little as £1 a week.Private medical insurance (PMI) is usually more expensive than a health cash plan.PMI and health cash plans can be run alongside each other.The health cash plan market has grown phenomenally ...

  • Opinion

    Sally Hart: International PMI has its challenges

    2013-01-28T00:00:00Z

    Employers must balance cost and benefits. International health insurance is expensive, and costs can be managed by introducing individual excess amounts or by limiting cover where appropriate.Size matters to providers. Organisations with more than a few expatriates may be able to have medical history disregarded; those with more than 100 ...

  • Article

    Working parents turn to employers for childcare help

    2013-01-28T00:00:00Z

    The Childcare affordability report, published by Family Investments in December 2012, found UK mothers were working up to four months of the year just to pay for care for their children.Under changes implemented by the government last month, households where one parent earns £60,000 or more are no longer entitled ...

  • Case Studies

    Complementary health perks at Dennis Publishing

    2013-01-28T00:00:00Z

    Some employees have also opted for additional partner cover at their own cost.The cash plan was launched to run alongside a private medical insurance (PMI) scheme. HR director Alison Hunter says: “When the Health Shield cash plan was introduced, we saw a 30% drop in PMI take-up, but only about ...

  • Article

    Pension regulators should work together on DC plans

    2013-01-28T00:00:00Z

    The Pensions Regulator (TPR) published a consultation on trust-based DC schemes, as well as an analysis of the work it will carry out with the Financial Services Authority (FSA) on work-based personal pension rules and guidance. Meanwhile, the Office of Fair Trading published a DC market study.TPR’s consultation is on ...