The evolving world of

The Evolving World of Employee Benefits

by Nick Hale, Founder and UK Director of Engage Health Group

Since COVID-19 hit our shores many UK businesses have had their benefits strategies tested, with HR leaders now starting to reflect upon how well they fared when their employees needed more support than ever before. Nobody could have predicted what we have all experienced, however some businesses, by virtue of investing in their people over the years, have been on the front foot and performed particularly well during these tough circumstances.

In the past, employers have been sold various Employee Benefits with the narrative solely focused around protection, highlighting scary tales of what it could mean if the worst happened. It’s a shame really, and a huge opportunity missed that those advising businesses have not instead, adapted their patter to promote wellbeing and focus on areas where employees can extract regular and meaningful value.

Of course, the protection element shouldn’t be discounted, but in a world where Employee Benefits and their incumbent tertiary services are developing at rapid pace, a more holistic approach to benefits consultancy should be sought. Let’s start firstly by considering how various Employee Benefits were ranked by Employer and Employee alike, pre-COVID-19 (see bottom of page).

Some of the most highly rated benefits from this research, such as Private Medical Insurance, have been rendered almost inaccessible over the last few months as the NHS, rightly, commandeered private settings in preparation for a potential rise in the COVID-19 infection rate. Thankfully, the swathe of patients needing hospitalisation didn’t materialise and our NHS coped fantastically well within their own capacity. It is now reported that NHS waiting lists could reach 10 million for non-urgent procedures, so whilst private treatment hasn’t been available of late, it’s a market that is expected to grow dramatically.

Health Cash Plans were also largely under-utilised as appointments for dental, optical and physiotherapy (which make up the lion’s share of claims) couldn’t take place. In terms of employee popularity, Cash Plans have overtaken traditional medical insurance because cover for everyday healthcare costs inspires a higher perceived value. It is believed that these claims will now catch up as employees are able to access treatment.

The real “stars of the show” have come from the in the form of Wellbeing Services, which historically rank low in employer/employee perception, but deliver brilliantly.

Ironically, these are often the most inexpensive benefits to provide and frequently come free as part of existing products, but are unknown to the employers or poorly communicated.

Telemedicine/Virtual GP A few years ago, there was a suggestion that GPs could work six days a week in order to better serve patients and reduce waiting times. In truth, up to 70% of GP consultations do not require any physical examination, and therefore the rise of Telemedicine (via smart devices/apps) is a great initiative. If the 70% were all to access remote services instead, it would generate significant capacity for the remaining 30% who required more face-to-face time.

What’s more, there is huge benefit to employee and employer alike when this is offered through work:

• Employees can choose a time which suits them to speak with a GP, meaning less down-time and faster triage/diagnosis. • Employees can select a GP based on specialism and gender, with photos of ailments able to be taken and uploaded in advance of the call. • Prescriptions can be approved on the call and delivered directly to home addresses. • Technology is evolving to incorporate new initiatives, such skin cancer detection as part of the app/phone camera.

Employee Assistance Programmes Shortened to EAP, the aim of an Employee Assistance Programme is to provide confidential, independent, impartial and unbiased guidance to employees who could be suffering in a range of lifestyle areas.

With a 24/7 helpline and counselling sessions included, employers can feel assured that they are not only satisfying their Health & Safely obligations, but also supporting employees who might otherwise not have a sounding board or advice outlet available to them.

Some of the key areas that employees utilise an EAP are as follows:

• Mental Health • Eldercare • Addiction • Terminal illness • Debt and financial problems • Bullying and harassment • Stress • Identity & LGBTQ • Domestic abuse • Bereavement

Behavioural Economics/Gamification More and more benefit providers/insurers are adopting behavioural economics into their products. This acknowledgment that traditional insurance products only deliver value when the worst happens and don’t engage the workforce, has encouraged new entrants who want to interact with employees throughout the policy year.

One example is Yulife, a provider that offers Group Life, Income Protection and Critical Illness plans, but with significant focus on rewarding healthy behaviour. Employees who have access to products like this have continued to engage with them during lockdown, and have remain connected with their employee benefits even if furloughed.

There is no one-size-fits-all when developing a company employee benefit strategy, but whatever is decided upon, communication is absolutely paramount. The benefits that have been most heavily utilised during the last three months are actually the benefits which are deemed as secondary considerations at point of sale/implementation.

Engage Health Group is an independent, whole of market Employee Benefits Consultancy offering design, broking, implementation and management services, completely free of charge to businesses with between 3 – 3000 employees, worldwide. Visit us at engagehealthgroup.co.uk

Tel: 01273 974419 Mob: 07834 952516 Skype: Engage Health Group nick.hale@engagehealthgroup.co.uk www.engagehealthgroup.co.uk

Flexible Foxhills

Escape London and experience flexible working at its finest with a Foxhills corporate membership

Foxhills Club & Resort is removing the need for professionals to travel into central London with its corporate membership packages, which include a wide range of bespoke options to make the most out of its excellent facilities. Flexible working arrangements are set to become much more common after the coronavirus pandemic, particularly for those living in and around London, with workers looking for pleasant spaces to work, meet and entertain clients and escape the stresses of the fast-paced commercial world. New data by the Office for National Statistics shows that just five per cent (1.7 million people) of the active 32.6 million UK workers worked from home prior to the pandemic, which has caused a seismic shift in working habits and methods – and seen an estimated 20 million people relocating to home offices. Foxhills – one of Surrey’s leading golf clubs and resorts – offers flexible cor

porate membership packages which give members the chance to mix business with pleasure and enjoy the extensive range of facilities on site. Conveniently located within close proximity to the M25, the resort is perfect for remote working, entertaining or meeting clients and colleagues, rewarding staff or even some well-deserved downtime. Situated in Ottershaw, Surrey, Foxhills is home to two championship golf courses – Longcross and Bernard Hunt – which are both considered among the best in England, as well as the first par-three, nine-hole course of its kind in Britain – The Manor Course – making it the ultimate golfers’ haven for those looking to swap the board

room for the golf course in a time where outdoor, socially distanced meetings are the safest alternative to online video calls. The resort covers more than 400 acres of pristine Surrey countryside with a breathtaking 19th-century Manor House at the heart of the estate. Home to 70-bedroom four-star accommodation, two restaurants, 11 tennis courts, four swimming pools, an award-winning health spa, a tranquil yoga cabin, youth club, as well as unrivalled conference and meeting facilities, Foxhills has built an enviable reputation among its members and is sure to impress guests with its stately presence. Its flexible corporate membership has been split into three packages – premier, flexible and individual – to make sure everyone’s requirements are being met. Depending on the package, a corporate membership can include full access to the resort’s facilities, as well as complimentary offers and exclusive discounts ranging from 10 to 25 per cent across the resort – including meeting space, social events, dining, overnight stays, driving range and buggy hire.

For more information on Foxhills corporate membership and to join, visit: www.foxhills.co.uk/join/corporate-membership

The Healing Power of Nature

Mindfulness Tips to enhance your mental and physical wellbeing from The Forest Bathing Institute (TFBI)

The Covid-19 pandemic has seen a rise in the number of people suffering from stress, anxiety, and mental health issues. It is therefore important for everyone of all ages to take time out each day to relax.

During the last few months of lockdown, it has been noticeable that many people are re-connecting with nature. They have been spending time in their gardens, local parks, nearby woodland and even growing flowers and vegetables on their balconies!

It has been known for many hundreds of years that nature is a great healer. So being able to step outside to find somewhere to relax and re-charge is important to our mental health and physical well-being. In addition, keeping a positive focus is important for coping with a lot of uncertainty. Forest Bathing+ is based on a mindfulness practice, so during this time, TFBI has been providing daily mental hygiene tips to help those people who may be feeling challenged.

Mindfulness can be practiced by everyone, it offers coping strategies to help you stay ‘in the moment’ and be calm and centred.

So, a simple tip for the day could be to simply focus on a single object, be it a tree, plant, flower, or birdsong.

Become aware of the detail, so whether this is the bark on a tree, the shape of a leaf or flower, or the pitch of bird song, or even watching your favourite pet and their little habits; by focusing for a short time, you’ll notice how this helps to calm your mind, become present in the moment and appreciate the beauty of spring, birds, animals and nature.

Treat this quiet time as part of your ‘time out’ from the babble of social media and the constant stream of news. Savour the moment and use it to re-charge and energise from within.

TFBI will be starting to run Forest Bathing+ immersive therapy sessions for key workers, businesses, and their staff as soon as the lockdown phase is eased. Government guidance will be upheld during these events.

In February 2020 Dame Judi Dench was appointed as a Patron for The Forest Bathing Institute. You can read Dame Judi Dench’s quote on the website: https://tfb.institute/blog/