in-tray
Pension changes for 2010 Keep up to date with the latest news, research
and services on offer to busy PAs
It’s not just the Olympics that will be the talking point of 2012 – changes to the UK’s pensions are sure to also get people talking. The changes mean that from 2012 all employers will have to enrol eligible staff (those aged between 22 and state pensionable age, and who earn between £5,035 and £33,540 a year) onto a pension scheme and make contributions to it. And it’s not just for full time staff members – the new regulations will also be in place for fixed term and part time contract workers and agency staff. While the legislation will be compulsory for
businesses, staff may opt out of the scheme – and also lose the employer’s contribution – though they will be automatically enrolled every three years. The minimum level of contribution is set at eight per cent of an employee’s qualifying earnings; which is made up of three per cent of employer contributions, and five per cent of employee contribu- tions – of which one per cent comes in the form of tax relief. If employers opt to pay over the three per cent required, then the employees’ contribution can be lowered, provided the final total is at least eight per cent.
Workloads impinging on annual leave
What triggers your stress?
Stress – it’s the modern-day plague and new research from Medicash has revealed that it’s costing us productivity in the office. According to its findings 20 per cent of men have admitted to taking two sick days in the past month as a result of stress – four times more than women phone in sick due to stress. Although men take more time off sick than their female counterparts it’s actually women who report higher incidences of stress-related ill health. The findings also revealed the different triggers between the sexes for work stress:
TOP FIVE TRIGGERS FOR WOMEN: • Difficult clients or customers • A heavy workload • Computer freezing in the middle of an important job
• Boss demanding too much extra work • Computers taking too long to get going
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www.executivepa.com » Aug/Sept 2010
TOP FIVE TRIGGERS FOR MEN: • A heavy workload • Boss demanding too much extra work • Difficult clients or customers • Computer freezing in the middle of an important job
• Boss asking for work that is outside of their job description
A holiday is crucial in order to recharge your batteries and ensure that your productivity remains high – but new statistics from Randstad’s workmonitor survey has revealed that employees’ workload is ever increasing and it’s becoming hard to find time away from the office. A staggering 67 per cent of UK workers surveyed said their workload had increased – and 40 per cent have said their heavy workload doesn’t allow them to take as much time away from the office as they’d like.
Date for your diary
It’s the show we’ve been anticipating for months... the office* show will be hitting Earls Court London on September 21 and 22, jam-packed with contacts, advice and assistance for PAs. Event Manager for the inaugural show, Ali Mead, commented: “The strong demand for exhibitor space clearly reflects the importance that office* presents for reaching the key PA and Office Manager market.” As well as the chance to meet the exhibitors, atten- dees can also hear motivational speakers like Karren Brady and Judi James and there is also a comprehen- sive training and development programme of seminars and masterclasses available to book. Attendance is free if you register in advance – visit
www.officeshow.co.uk.
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