It may still be midsummer, but now is the perfect time to refresh your employee benefit package, making it ready for the upcoming winter months. 

Shorter days and colder temperatures can affect health and morale, so why not respond by enhancing the most relevant elements of your employee benefits package?  

You may already offer a comprehensive range of benefits, so rather than changing your portfolio, this may be a good time to remind staff about what is available and encourage them to take advantage of their employee benefits.

Our checklist below highlights some ways you can utilise benefits to make the challenges of winter easier to bear. 

Support health and wellbeing in the darker months

Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a form of depression that often occurs in the winter.

SAD is thought to be linked to low levels of sun exposure during the dark months, and it can impact productivity and lead to staff absenteeism. 

Our Health and Wellbeing programme is designed to help manage mental health issues. It teaches strategies for better sleep, offers ideas for excellent nutrition, and provides ways to develop emotional agility. The programme also advises on managing finances – a source of stress for many all year round. 

Wellbeing

 

The Health and Wellbeing programme utilises videos and fact sheets that staff can view at their own pace. 

Ensure staff have access to private healthcare

Colds, flu and viruses of all kinds thrive in the winter months. Staff who travel to work on public transport will be exposed to the germs of fellow passengers every day, while young children will bring home every bug that is circulating. 

Getting a GP appointment that fits in with work and family life can be tough, so offering private healthcare that includes access to a private GP will enable staff to receive healthcare faster and help them to recover more quickly. 

Including private medical insurance in your benefit portfolio will help reduce absenteeism and keep staff feeling healthy and positive through the winter. 

 Keep morale high with rewards and recognition awards

Once Christmas is over, Spring can still seem a long way away, and staff energy and morale can flag.

Showing appreciation for outstanding work by employees makes staff feel valued and boosts morale. Our employee reward scheme allows staff to choose their gift from a number of top retailers, including Boots and Marks & Spencer. 

The Baby Cycle 

 

Interestingly, September sees a peak in births every year in the UK.

It is essential to support new parents to return to work to retain their talents and experience. Now is the ideal time for a review of your Workplace Nursery Benefit to ensure your valued employees have access to high-quality childcare when they return to work in the Spring. 

Next Steps

Towards the end of Summer is a good time to remind staff of the employee benefits on offer. A campaign to raise awareness of available benefits and encourage staff participation could be conducted online or through staff events. 

If you would like to discuss how to improve your employee benefits packages in an obligation-free chat, please call 0800 088 7315 or use our Contact Form.