20/02/2002

CIPD warns businesses to 'think again' on pensions

Abolishing final salary pension schemes for employees who are already building up entitlements under them could seriously damage the ‘psychological contract’ between employers and workers.

This is according to people management experts the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), who were responding to the evidence that some large companies are replacing final salary pension arrangements for current staff.

CIPD employee relations adviser Mike Emmott warned: “Where businesses fail to meet expectations about pensions, they risk damaging the trust between employer and employee.

"This is likely to adversely affect motivation and productivity, as employees feel that their employer no longer feels the same level of commitment to them. This will be reinforced if the employer also reduces its financial contribution to the scheme."

Mr Emmott concluded by saying that organisations should consider the positive impact of final salary schemes on retention of staff, and the effect on the bottom line of losing key people.

He also said that final salary schemes would not be equally suitable for all organisations, but employers should ensure that any changes in existing schemes were fully explained to employees.

(MB)

Related Northern Ireland Business News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

17 June 2002
TUC call for compulsory pensions to end crisis
Britain’s pensions crisis will not end unless employers make compulsory contributions to occupational pensions, and workers join the company scheme as a condition of employment, say the TUC.
04 March 2002
Employers urged to reconsider scrapping final salary schemes
Employers should resist pressure to close final salary pension schemes to existing employees, people management experts, The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) have said.
19 March 2004
Revenue-Customs integration discussed at Downing Street
Treasury Permanent Secretary Gus O'Donnell has held a meeting in 11 Downing Street with business representatives, and the accountancy and legal professions involved in work on tax.
20 August 2001
Pension scheme under-funding among FTSE 100
A growing number of the largest pension schemes in the UK are under-funded, according to the results of an annual study of company accounts being published this week by Bacon & Woodrow.
11 April 2002
Skills shortages and high salary demands hold back SMEs
SME employers can't find the right staff and face difficulty in finding appropriately trained, skilled and experienced people who are prepared to work for realistic and affordable salary packages, according to new research.