Zoe Wickens
Zoe Wickens is a journalist with five years of experience writing for trade and business to business publications. She joined Employee Benefits as a reporter in May 2021 and writes news and features content for the website. She won the Willis Towers Watson pay, reward and employee benefits journalist of the year award in 2023. Before writing about the HR, reward and benefit industry she worked as a reporter for publications about the optical and eyewear market and the UK stock market.
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ArticleTransUnion UK pledges to become menopause-friendly employer
TransUnion UK, a global information, insights and credit reference agency, has pledged to become a menopause-friendly employer to build on existing support for employees.
Article96% of organisations do not have cancer specific policies
Almost all (96%) of HR managers said their organisations do not have cancer specific policies, according to research by Working With Cancer.
ArticleThe top 10 most read articles between 18 – 24 October 2024
The top 10 most read articles between 18 – 24 October 2024 on employeebenefits.co.uk were:
ArticleAttractionTickets.com searches for theme park tester at Universal Orlando Resort
Something for the weekend: If you’re a self-confessed adrenaline junkie, who could ride roller coasters all day long, then the role of theme park tester at Universal Orlando Resort’s new Epic Universe Park could be for you!
ArticleEngland, Wales and Northern Ireland social workers and council staff accept pay rise
Social workers and other council staff across England, Wales and Northern Ireland have accepted a pay rise for the 2024-25 year, which will be backdated to April.
ArticleSapphire rewards contractors with employee ownership bonuses
Manchester-based contracting and accounting firm Sapphire is to distribute employee ownership bonuses worth £350,000 to its umbrella contractors.
OpinionJames Townsend and Elizabeth Coyle: Dealing with equal pay tribunals
On 22 August 2024, an employment tribunal held that Next discriminated against more than 3,500 female store staff by paying them lower hourly wages than male warehouse operatives. Sales consultants received lower pay of up to £3 per hour, meaning their average annual salary differential was more than £6,000.
People MovesReconomy appoints new chief people officer
International circular economy specialist Reconomy has appointed Lyndsey Denning as chief people officer, effective immediately.
People MovesEvolve appoints head of people and talent
Managed network solutions and IT services provider Evolve has appointed Caroline Oxley head of people and talent
ArticleGovernment introduces Employment Rights Bill
The government has introduced the Employment Rights Bill, which will see 28 employment reforms, including ending zero hours contracts and installing the right to a guaranteed hours contract if employees work regular hours over a defined period, giving earnings security.
ArticleBoeing withdraws previous pay rise offer to striking US staff
Aerospace business Boeing has withdrawn its previous 30% pay rise offer to striking US staff after being unable to reach an agreement.
ArticleCanada Life enhances parental and family-friendly policies
Insurance, retirement and investment services provider Canada Life has enhanced parental and family-friendly policies for employees located within the UK and Isle of Man.
ArticleJollyes allows candidates to bring pets to job interview
Something for the weekend: Pet store chain Jollyes has started to allow candidates looking for their dream job working with animals to bring their pet with them to their interview.
People MovesAtom Bank appoints new chief people officer
App-only bank Atom Bank has appointed Ayshea Robertson as its new chief people officer.
ArticleExclusive: Workplace wellbeing is a priority at New Look
Employee Benefits Live 2024: In order to build a whole person health, it is important to tailor support to meet a wide and diverse workforce, according to New Look.
ArticleExclusive: Evaluating and developing employee wellbeing initiatives is critical
Employee Benefits Live 2024: As wellbeing is central to an employer’s foundations, it is critical to keep evaluating and developing initiatives, as highlighted during the first day of Employee Benefits Live 2024 on 8 October.
ArticleTribunal finds employer of former administrator failed to make reasonable adjustments
A former administrator at Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust has been awarded £27,208.74 by an employment tribunal after the trust failed to make reasonable adjustments following a brain haemorrhage.
ArticleOrganix Brands receives menopause-friendly accreditation
Food manufacturer Organix Brands has been awarded menopause-friendly accreditation due to its recognition that employee wellbeing is important through every life stage.
AnalysisHow to maximise benefits communication with employee involvement
MetLife’s 22nd annual US employee benefit trends study, published in March 2024, found that employees who understand and use their benefits were 88% more likely to feel cared for by their employer, compared to 34% of those who do not. This highlights the importance of benefits awareness, which can be ...
Case StudiesNominet improves benefits communication by utilising staff feedback
After discovering that many of its around 250 employees were unaware of the full extent of the benefits available to them, or did not fully understand how to use these, technology firm Nominet decided to focus on elevating awareness and improving the communication around hidden or underused benefits.