All Employee Benefits articles in Web Issue – Page 877
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Article
35, Red Letter Days for business: Motivating staff at Christmas and into the new year
Key points [box out, if room on page]:Employers should not let top talent head off on their Christmas break without finding out how they felt about working for their organisation in 2015 and what they want to see in 2016.A thank you at the end of the year is crucial, ...
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Article
40, GymFlex: Re-examining inactivity in the workforce
Those who believe that inactivity causes obesity might be in for a shock: a long-term study by Exeter University, EarlyBird diabetes study, finalised in 2013, suggests it is actually the other way around. Consuming a fatty, sugary diet in the early years causes obesity, which in turn makes people inactive. ...
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Article21% plan to release pension cash while still in work
Almost a quarter (21%) of respondents plan to release cash from their pension funds over and above their tax-free lump sum while they are still working, according to research by Portus Consulting.Its survey of 1,080 UK employees also found that 24% of over-55s plan to take cash out of their ...
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Article24% disclose performance criteria for on-target bonuses
Less than a quarter (24%) of FTSE 100 organisations disclose the level of performance required to generate an ‘on-target’ bonus but not the full range of performance targets they offer, according to research by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PWC).Its report, Sunlight is the best disinfectant, which analyses FTSE 100 organisations’ executive bonus pay-outs ...
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ArticleSouth Warwickshire NHS Foundation Trust launches benefits platform
South Warwickshire NHS Foundation Trust (SWFT) has launched a bespoke employee benefits platform for its 7,500 members of staff.The platform, designed and administered by Ernest Grant Benefits, allows SWFT employees to actively engage with their current benefits, while delivering an expanding range of salary sacrifice schemes and a comprehensive range ...
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Article
9, Cigna: The importance of mental wellbeing in the workplace
Supporting employee mental health is a growing challenge for many employers. Around 70 million working days were lost to mental illness in 2013 at a cost of £70-£100bn to the UK economy, according to the Annual report of the chief medical officer, published in September 2014. Issues like anxiety, depression ...
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ArticleSame-sex spouse loses equal pension bid
The Court of Appeal has upheld a ruling against a retired employee in his bid to see his civil partner, now husband, receive the same pension pay-out in the event of his death as a spouse of the opposite sex.In the case of Walker vs Innospec and others, in which ...
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OpinionClaire Ginnelly: What to consider with the rise in insurance premium tax
In the Summer Budget 2015, Chancellor George Osborne announced that the standard rate of insurance premium tax (IPT) will increase from 6% to 9.5% from 1 November 2015.IPT is a tax on insurers and is added to general insurance products, such as car, home and travel cover, as well as ...
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ArticleEuropean Court rules on travel as working time case
The European Court of Justice (ECJ) has ruled that the time workers without a fixed or habitual place of work spend traveling from home to their first appointment of the day and from their last appointment of the day to their home to be working time for the purposes of ...
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Supplier article
Unlike credit card deals, a master trust is for life
The People’s Pension has announced that they will be introducing a £500 setup fee later this month for all new schemes. This move suggests that big master trusts have been subsidising the setup costs for employers out of reserves, a method which is unsustainable in the long term.We are still ...
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Article44% want employer support to make healthy lifestyle changes
Almost half (44%) of respondents would like their employer to help them make positive changes to their lifestyle, according to research by Bupa.Its survey of 2,000 UK employees also found that 85% of respondents believe their productivity would increase if they were able to stick to positive lifestyle changes.The research ...
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ArticleTotal pay increases by 3%
Total pay, including bonuses, increased by 3% for UK employees between July-September 2014 and July-September 2015, according to research by the Office for National Statistics.Its UK labour market statistical bulletin, November 2015 found that regular pay, excluding bonuses, increased by 2.5%. This is lower than the rate of growth between ...
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ArticleEXCLUSIVE: 68% offer group personal pension plans
EXCLUSIVE RESEARCH: Group personal pension (GPP) plans remain the most popular primary workplace scheme, according to the Employee Benefits/Close Brothers Pensions research 2015.The research, which surveyed a total of 259 respondents in September 2015, found that while 68% of repondents offer this type of scheme as their organisation’s primary workplace ...
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Supplier article
A funny old year
The past 12 months have been turbulent – just take a look at this chart of the FTSE 100 over the last year. There have been some points which I’m sure would have caused your clients some concern, and possibly even had them looking for an alternative investment with reduced ...
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AnalysisCommunicating the value of group risk benefits
If you read nothing else, read this…To feel the full value of group risk benefits, employers should be aware of the advantages such benefits provide and the range of additional services that are available.An effective communications strategy will utilise a range of channels that reflect how employees want their benefits ...
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ArticleThe importance of timing
‘Timing is everything’ is a well-worn cliché. Nevertheless, sometimes the importance of timing should not be underestimated. For example, where an employee is struggling to cope with a physical or mental health condition, an employer promptly approaching its group risk benefits provider can ensure that appropriate support is available as ...
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Article
45, Unum insight: The benefits of early intervention
Sickness absence is an unavoidable part of running a business. Having an effective wellbeing strategy in place can help staff to stay healthier and for the employer to manage absence better, but there is no way to eliminate it completely, especially when it comes to serious illness or injury. But, ...
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AnalysisHow can providers and advisers help employers to develop a group risk strategy?
If you read nothing else read this…Discussing benefits outside of the renewal cycle allows time for more in-depth strategic considerations.Group risk providers offer a range of additional services alongside core products that can help employers support their staff.Employers can draw on the combined expertise of advisers and providers to develop ...
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AnalysisHow can group risk benefits support staff wellbeing?
If you read nothing else, read this…Initiatives that demonstrate employers are putting mental wellbeing on the agenda can encourage more open dialogue about mental health in the workplace.Employers can incorporate a preventative approach within health and wellbeing strategies by utilising the aditional services offered through group risk provision.Early notification can ...
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Article
33, 34 How to maximise CSR policies through benefits
If you read nothing else, read this...CSR policies allow employers to showcase their internal values.Thorough communication of CSR policies will enhance employees’ understanding of, and engagement with them.CSR strategies need to be connected to the organisation as a business and an employer.Corporate and social responsibility (CSR) policies can work ...