Additional Paternity Leave “has not been a success” according to coaching company Talking Talent.
Chris Parke, CEO of the firm, believes take-up is disappointingly low after finding just two out of 300 participants in its programme for new fathers planned to use...
The cost of childcare has risen to more than 35 per cent of UK salaries – up five per cent from 2007.
Hay Group’s latest quarterly PayNet Salary Tracker revealed that parents in England are paying out around £103.19 per week on these facilities, amounting to 34.8 per...
Q An employee has had to take unpaid leave for a family emergency and has now been absent for a longer period than anticipated. Initially we decided to accommodate the situation and agreed to a discretionary payment of three months’ full pay, which then reduced to half pay for a further...
Q An employee who is currently on maternity leave is in receipt of Childcare Vouchers (CCVs) which are operated through a salary sacrifice scheme. Last month she received the final week of her Statutory Maternity Pay and is now on zero pay. However, this month she has received a tax refund. Can...
Cutting the cost of benefits is top of the agenda for employers, according to research from Mercer.
Due to the financial instability in 2011 many organisations are now questioning the feasibility of maintaining their workplace health schemes. Nearly 85 per cent of HR...
Research has found that childcare provisions are only offered by 10 per cent of employers, contradicting other studies.
The results from Maris Interiors revealed that only eight per cent of staff had the opportunity to take up childcare vouchers (CCVs), while two per cent had nursery...
Employee benefits providers have welcomed an indication from David Cameron that plans to abolish child benefits for higher-rate taxpayers will be reconsidered.
The proposal to scrap the relief for any household which has an individual earning above the £42,745 threshold...
Employee benefits packages are one of the biggest incentives an employer can offer. Once enrolled in a scheme it is important employees are continually informed about developments and messages are reinforced. Here are some tips to help effectively do this.
Survey employees
It...
The value of childcare vouchers (CCVs) would need to rise to £83 per week for basic rate taxpayers in order to offset the rise in costs.
Research from the Social Market Foundation (SMF) has found that parents are paying more due to the growth in childcare charges and reduced...
Have your say - your views are important
Clarification of the tax status for seasonal flu jabs
In the November issue of Pay & Benefits, the Helpdesk advised that free seasonal flu jabs represent a taxable benefit and suggested that they be included within the annual Pay As You Earn Settlement Agreement (PSA). I would like to...
John Woodward discusses how organisations have had to adapt to ensure they offer equal opportunities and benefits that will attract and retain a female workforce.
A far cry from the male-dominated workplaces that were synonymous between the 1950s and 1990s, women are playing a major role in UK business today, with many in high-profile positions. What’s more, millions of women now balance raising a family with a career in order to contribute to their...
Employees want more flexibility and variety when
it comes to their benefits, according to research
from Mercer.
The findings showed that traditional elements of a package scored poorly when it came to motivation and engagement. However, those that provided a good work–...
Nearly half of working parents are unaware of the financial benefits of childcare vouchers.
Of the 2,000 parents polled, 45 per cent did not know about the salary sacrifice scheme, while 33 per cent were not offered childcare vouchers by their employer.
Recent reports have highlighted the...
Lisa Gregory looks at why some employee benefits are preferred over others and how the industry has changed.
Given the economic downturn of recent years, it seems timely to take stock of how employee benefits have been impacted overall and the emerging prominence of certain benefits. The landscape has undoubtedly changed, but which benefits have grown in popularity and which have become casualties of...
Edmund Tirbutt assesses the implications of the possible National Insurance and Income Tax merger and asks if it could mark the end of salary sacrifice.
This year’s Budget announcement that the Government will consult on merging the operation of National Insurance (NI) and Income Tax could have far-reaching implications for payroll and benefits. Indeed, some commentators suggest that it could even spell the end of salary sacrifice –...
