At a glance: reward and benefits headlines this week 23-29 August 2019
The headlines you might have missed between 23-29 August.
Women who may become pregnant face opposition from ‘significant minority’ of employers to be hired
HR Review: A ‘significant minority’ or one in eight employers said they would be reluctant to hire a woman who they believe could become pregnant, despite it being illegal to make recruitment decisions on this basis. Read story
ING Australia equalises paid parental leave for 1,000 employees
Employee Benefits: Banking organisation ING Australia has equalised its paid parental leave benefit for approximately 1,000 employees, entitling both male and female staff to take up to 14 weeks of paid leave. Read story
Tesco becomes first CIPD-accredited People Development Partner
Employee Benefits: Retailer Tesco is the first business to be accredited by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) as part of its new People Development Partner initiative. Read story
TPR used auto-enrolment enforcement powers 23,409 times in Q2
Employee Benefits: The Pensions Regulator (TPR) has used its enforcement powers to tackle pensions auto-enrolment non-compliance 23,409 times between April and June 2019, closing a total of 15,726 cases, according to research by TPR. Read story
Further pension strikes likely as universities back contribution rise
Pensions Age: University and College Union (UCU) has warned that the likelihood of autumn strike action has increased after universities backed proposals to increase Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS) member contributions. Read story
UK employees see flexible working as the most popular way of earning a living in the future
HR Review: More than half of UK workers feel that the most popular method of employment in the future will be flexible working. Read story
Boris Johnson will create pension tax relief 'losers' with mooted income tax reforms
Professional Pensions: Boris Johnson's mooted income tax reforms would create a double-edged sword whereby income tax winners would become pension tax relief losers, according to research by Aegon. Read story
USS strike edging closer following pensions dispute
Professional Pensions: The University and College Union (UCU) has rejected a call from university employers that would have forced the union to ban strike ballots over pensions for two years. Read story
Doctors and teachers to bring age discrimination claims to tribunal over pension changes
People Management: Legal claims on behalf of teachers and doctors are being launched against the government over claims that changes to public sector pension schemes in 2015 were discriminatory against younger workers. Read story
Childcare vouchers closure caused 84% of working parents to rethink career
Employee Benefits: More than four-fifths (84%) of working parents have had to reconsider their future career plans following the closure of the government’s childcare vouchers scheme to new entrants in October 2018, according to research by the Childcare Voucher Providers Association (CVPA). Read story
Top 10 most extreme work perks 2019 revealed
HR Grapevine: While some employers may promote their sophisticated drinks machines as a work perk when recruiting new talent, it seems as though a fancy frothy coffee is just a drop in the ocean in comparison with the work perks that other employers are offering. Read story
The less well known benefits that employees really value
Employer News: A high salary, robust retirement plan and extensive healthcare used to be the crème de la crème of workplace benefits plans. That is no longer the case. Now, employees expect everything from a work-from-home benefit and unlimited holiday to professional mentorships, personal financial services, payroll giving, pet healthcare, and more. Read story
Employee wellbeing main priority for UK banks as they seek to attract quality talent
HR News: The UK’s top financial institutions are placing a greater emphasis on employee wellbeing in the face of strong competition for high quality talent from challenger banks and agile FinTech competitors. According to Bishopsgate Financial’s Change Perspective, 60% of UK banks have made employee wellbeing a key priority, reflecting a broader trend across society. Read story
The power of cashback as an employee benefit
HR News: Who doesn’t love getting money off their purchases? Discounts are a great way to give your employees something back by giving them the opportunity to get money off a range of different products and services. Read story
‘Thank you’ – the magic words to boost morale says survey
Incentive and Motivation: Sure, receiving an award at the annual holiday party for “most helpful employee” is cool, but have you ever felt the validation of receiving a thank-you email from your manager right after beating a tough deadline? Read story
Workplace Performance Indicators according to 4,174 UK employees
Incentive and Motivation: Today Perkbox, Europe’s fastest growing employee experience platform, is announcing the average yearly ratings for what it considers to be the ten key workplace drivers: Quality of Life, Meaningful Work, Managers, Strategy & Leadership, Learning & Development, Reward & Recognition, Career Opportunities, Teamwork, Culture & Diversity and Communication; from a sample of 4,174 UK employees currently using Perkbox Insights through their employers. Read story
UK managers are performing well as reward and recognition have dropped significantly
HR Review: Manager performance has improved significantly over the past year (2018-19) where as reward and recognition has worsened amongst UK employees. Read story
Lack of local knowledge ‘biggest challenge’ for global payroll departments
Employer News: The lack of in-country knowledge surrounding local legislations is the biggest challenge posing global payroll today, according to research conducted by the Global Payroll Association. Read story
Healthy employees do not see the benefit of protection insurance unless they can access added-value services
HR News: Critical illness cover, life assurance and income protection insurance have traditionally been chosen by employers for the potential financial protection they offer staff in the event of illness, death or disability. But the majority of employees will not get any benefit from these products as long as they remain healthy, so employers that have offered these benefits have struggled to get employees engaged. Read story
Broad support for robo-advisers in the workplace
Corporate Adviser: Both employers and employees would consider using robo-investing options for workplace savings and investments. Read story
Pensions bill possible as date set for Queen's Speech
Professional Pensions: Boris Johnson's government will deliver its first Queen's Speech on 14 October, the prime minister has announced. Read story
Government could face legal action over 'short-changing' public sector pensions
Professional Pensions: Teachers and doctors could have grounds for a legal challenge against the government for age discrimination if they have been moved to a less beneficial pension scheme, Leigh Day says. Read story
The National Gallery awards 3% pay increase to 250 employees
Employee Benefits: London art museum The National Gallery, which employs approximately 250 members of staff, has awarded a 3% increase to the basic pay of eligible employees. Read story
Compass staff at Blackpool NHS hospitals conduct two-day strike in pay dispute
Employee Benefits: Approximately 300 members of staff employed by private health contractor Compass, working at NHS hospitals in Blackpool, are undertaking two days of strike action in an ongoing pay dispute. Read story
Three-quarters of UK employees are in favour of a four-day working week
Employee Benefits: Three-quarters (75%) of UK employees are in favour of a four-day working week, even if they it would mean fitting full-time hours from a five-day week into a shorter timeframe, according to research by financial comparison website KnowYourMoney.co.uk. Read story
Queen pledges wage increase & extra holiday for staff
HR Grapevine: Working as a staff member within the royal household, it’s likely that all employees take on a number of responsibilities as they strive to serve members of the royal family. Read story
USS launches recovery plan consultation to reduce £6.6bn deficit
Pensions Age: Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS) has launched an employer consultation on its proposed recovery plan and contribution schedule to tackle the scheme’s £6.6bn deficit. Read story
Women with menopause in workplace receive support from MPs who wish to implement legislation
HR Review: Multiple MPs have spoken out in support of formally introducing policies that would protect women going through the menopause from being discriminated against in the workplace. Read story
Workers call in physically sick to hide mental ill-health, poll reveals
People Management: More than half of employees who took days off for psychological illness did not admit the real cause, as experts highlight ongoing ‘stigma’ around mental health at work. Read story
QBE New Zealand equalises and enhances paid parental leave for 210 staff
Employee Benefits: Insurance organisation QBE New Zealand has equalised its parental leave policy, enabling all new parents to take up to 12 weeks of paid leave within the first 24 months of their child’s birth. Read story
Two-thirds believe choosing their working hours would boost productivity
Employee Benefits: Almost two-thirds (65%) of employees who do not currently have access to flexible working arrangements feel they would be more motivated and productive if they could choose their own hours, according to research by co-working organisation The Brew by rent24. Read story
Three-fifths of staff at Slug and Lettuce, Walkabout and more enrol in flexible pay
Employee Benefits: More than three-fifths (63%) of hourly-paid staff at pub group Stonegate Pubs, which operates 772 UK venues under brands that include Be At One, Slug and Lettuce and Walkabout, have enrolled to use a new flexible pay benefit since its launch in April 2019. Read story