All Employee Benefits articles in Web Issue – Page 614
-
Article
DOD’s blog: Are we finally getting pensions on track?
Anyone who knows me well, will know I prefer to be an optimist. This is particularly true when it comes to pensions savings and trying to do the right thing by employees.Although I acknowledge there are lots of if, buts and maybes with auto-enrolment, I am 100% behind it. So ...
-
Article
I'm a journalist...Get me out of here!
Something for the weekend… What do you think is the worst job of 2013? Kitchen porter? No, surely something more dangerous. What about working as a deep sea fisherman, like those featured on television’s the Deadliest Catch? Well, according to a recent survey, the answer is a little more surprising. ...
-
Article
Employees rate quality of work life higher than pay
More than half (55%) of respondents rate the quality of life in the workplace as being more important than financial incentives, according to research by recruitment firm Brook Street.Its Survive and thrive research, which surveyed 1,000 London-based employees, found 32% would prefer a comprehensive benefits package, while 40% felt that ...
-
Article
GSK and Hymans Robertson shortlisted for workplace savings benefits
GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) and Hymans Robertson have been shortlisted for the award ‘Best workplace savings benefits’ at the Employee Benefits Awards 2013.This award recognises employers that have made a concerted effort to encourage workplace saving among employees by implementing programmes, such as a corporate individual savings account (Isa), a corporate wrap ...
-
Article
The Monarch Group launches bikes-for-work scheme
The Monarch Group has launched a bikes-for-work scheme, following requests from its employees.The airline, and its provider Evans Cycles, hosted nine roadshows around the country to present the scheme to staff in February 2013, with a pop-up shop at its Luton hub where crew, engineers and ground staff were able ...
-
Article
Home Retail Group boosts discounts spend
EXCLUSIVE: Home Retail Group, the parent company of Argos, Habitat and Homebase, has increased staff spend through its employee discounts scheme since it switched providers in February.Since launching the new scheme two months ago, the retailer, which has 44,000 staff across the UK, has seen around 11,000 employees register to ...
-
Supplier article
Health Shield advertising campaign extols benefits of health cash plans
The advertising incorporates the Friendly Society’s family of Health Shield characters.Philip Wood, executive director of sales and marketing at Health Shield, said the campaign was designed to remind the company’s audience — whether a member, an intermediary or a human resources professional — that Health Shield provides a health cash ...
-
Article
Buyer's guide to private medical insurance 2013
Private medical insurance (PMI) is a popular benefit, offering employees access to private medical treatment and helping employers to reduce sickness absence. But, with budgets squeezed, employers and insurers are looking for ways to keep the cost of cover down.This drive to cut costs can be seen in figures from ...
-
Article
Buyer's guide to health screening 2013
Whether it is a simple blood pressure or cholesterol check, or a comprehensive health and fitness assessment lasting hours, health screening can help to keep a workforce fit and healthy.Health assessments, which can be provided on-site or at the provider’s premises, deliver a number of benefits to employers and staff. ...
-
Supplier article
The Benefits Research 2013
The research covers benefits technology, company cars, employee engagement, financial education, flexible benefits, share schemes,health and wellbeing, pension schemes, voluntary benefits and international benefits.The report also examines employers’ benefits strategies and changes over the last few years, plus planned changes for the year ahead.Topics include:Why respondents offer benefitsThe issues shaping ...
-
Case Studies
Schlumberger educates expat staff about pensions value
Oilfield services business Schlumberger has introduced a classroom-based training course and pension modelling tools as part of an initiative to help engage its expatriate employees with its defined benefit (DB) pension plan.Sarah Moise, global benefits manager at Schlumberger, says: “Although we hire from universities, retirement is typically not our recruits’ ...
-
AnalysisPrivate fuel provision loses its appeal
IF YOU READ NOTHING ELSE, READ THIS…Private fuel provision is decreasing in popularity among both employees and employers.By using a fuel card, employers can make greater savings and cut administrative costs on their fuel management.The high cost of fuel and company car taxation are among the reasons why private fuel ...
-
Case Studies
Wavin Pension Trust gives members support around choices
There are currently 266 members in the trust, which is run alongside two defined benefit (DB) plans.The scheme offers a range of multi-asset lifestyle strategies and 16 self-select investment options. Brian Baker, Wavin’s compensation and benefits manager, says: “The independent professional trustee keeps all the investments under review, amending and ...
-
AnalysisTop five considerations for at-retirement strategies
IF YOU READ NOTHING ELSE, READ THIS…Trustees and pension providers must support employees when they are making their at-retirement choices.Online modelling tools can help crystallise employees’ at-retirement income.The open market option for annuities should be factored into at-retirement communications strategies.1. Regulatory requirementsThe Pensions Regulator (TPR) believes that defined contribution (DC) ...
-
VideoMerlin Entertainments harmonises reward and benefits
This mantra is also reflected in the benefits and reward package it offers to its 8,000 UK employees.Its focus on building memorable experiences has had a positive impact on staff. In Merlin’s 2013 employee opinion survey, 86% of employees said they were satisfied with their benefits. Debra Corey, group compensation ...
-
Case Studies
Pentland Brands scraps ‘free fuel’ and saves thousands
The organisation behind global brands such as Speedo, Mitre and Berghaus used The Miles Consultancy’s (TMC) system to gather the data it needed to make the change, which resulted in Pentland reducing fuel usage by 16% and cutting thousands of pounds from its fleet budget.Pentland Brands estimates that withdrawing the ...
-
ArticleMost common salary sacrifice perks
EXCLUSIVE: The most common benefits offered through a salary sacrifice arrangement on a voluntary basis are childcare vouchers (76%), bikes-for-work schemes (62%) and pensions contributions (60%), according to exclusive research by Employee Benefits.The Benefits Research 2013, which surveyed 561 HR and benefits professionals, found that the number of employers that ...
-
Analysis
What are target date pension funds?
IF YOU READ NOTHING ELSE, READ THIS…Target date funds are investment funds tailored to a pension scheme member’s date of retirement.Most target date funds are written to a three-year band, such as 2028 to 2030, rather than one specific date.Funds gradually de-risk, reaching their most conservative point at the target ...
-
Opinion
Julie Jenner: Tax effect on private fuel provision
However, about 15 years on since the tax increases started to bite, data from HM Revenue and Customs (2010/11) shows that 240,000 staff continue to pay tax on employer-paid-for fuel used privately.But if those employees did the maths, industry figures suggest 97% would be better off giving up the ‘perk’ ...
-
AnalysisPension rights for employees' partners
IF YOU READ NOTHING ELSE, READ THIS…Many pension schemes will have discretion to pay a pensions benefit to an employee’s partner if they are financially dependent or financially interdependent with them.A joint annuity can be applied to civil partnerships, same-sex and opposite-sex marriages, and co-habiting couples.There must be no distinction ...