Simplified processes, greater value.
The independent consultants at Engage are ready to help your business:
- Set-up & manage an employee benefits platform
- Understand the platform marketplace
- Gain maximum value for employer & employee
What is an employee benefits platform?
Employee benefit platforms are an increasingly popular means by which businesses can manage, make available and promote workplace perks. Usually accessible by desktop computer, tablet or smart phone – they streamline many HR processes, making it easier for companies to manage, and for employees to access.
Benefits platforms were once reserved for large SME’s and corporate organisations to simplify their benefit administration across hundreds or thousands of employees. The costs involved in implementing a platform were high, and many businesses had to build a strong case to justify any likely return on investment.
Now, many businesses of all sizes prefer to manage their benefits via online portals, and with such innovation in online technology platforms and improved access points such as mobile and tablet, there is no reason why they can’t.
What services are included in a benefits platform?
Services offered will vary depending upon the provider and features included. The simplest online employee benefits platform may only offer staff discounts, while the most comprehensive will offer many, or all, of the below:
- Special deals and discounts
- Health & wellbeing support
- Health insurance scheme management
- Employee recognition schemes
- Pension schemes
- Employee Assistance Programmes (EAP)
- Holiday entitlement
- Staff surveys
- HR communication tools
- Payroll integration
Need help devising your employee benefits scheme?
Whatever your situation, we’ll find the solution.
Call the industry experts at Engage on
Whatever your situation, we’ll find the solution.
Call the industry experts at Engage on
Why invest in an employee benefits platform?
We’ve been fortunate to help many leading businesses across the UK inject much-needed innovation into their employee benefits provision. Ultimately, they’ve all wanted to achieve greater ease-of-use and improved value for employee and employer alike.
Commonly reported benefits include:
Improved employee engagement
Allowing staff to easily access their benefits provision via their personal devices and improving the overall experience by giving them more choice and customisable experiences.
More meaningful insight
Understanding which benefits employees really value and empowering those in control with real-time figures and learnings.
Superior communication & promotion of benefits
A suite of employee benefits is a significant investment and businesses want their staff to realise the inherent value. Innovative ways of promoting certain benefits and selecting which audiences the messaging reaches means benefit promotion can be tailored.
Reduced administration burden
Allowing HR professionals to remove complex administration processes and drive efficiencies in the business, thus saving valuable man-hours and money.
Raised awareness amongst employees
Total rewards statements help employees to understand the true value of the benefits they are provided, with clearly itemised statements. Whether it’s health insurance, dental cover, childcare vouchers or cycle to work, a clear view builds appreciation.
“Introducing this platform has given us the space to showcase all our employee benefits in one place, which allows colleagues to understand the value of their total reward package.”
Who are the leading employee benefits platform providers?
Businesses are not short of options. While we have our own proprietary solution, Engage Connect, we will often recommend other online benefits platforms because each business need is different. If there’s another platform on the market that better fits the requirements of your organisation, we won’t hesitate to recommend it.
Each of the platforms below offers a range of packages and price points.
The leading providers include:
- Reward Gateway: established in 2016 with almost 2000 business customers. A full range of features make this a strong option for larger businesses with complex needs
- Thanks Ben: a newer entry to the market it has quickly established a strong reputation and caters for a wide variety of businesses sizes. Includes payroll integration
- EdenRed: A real veteran of the employee benefits market of 35 years plus experience and serving more than 10,000 businesses. Specialise in delivering high value perks – not necessarily a full HR solution, but very good at what they do.
- Perkbox: One of the best-known online benefits providers, it provides a slick platform with smooth processes. Good HR integration features too.
- Avantus Employee Benefits: Formerly known as Fair Care, when it launched in 2005 it merely specialised in salary sacrifice. Since then it’s grown into providing a wide range of benefits with packages designed for different business needs, and wider HR functionality too.
Engage Connect
A new affordable way into digital benefits.
Bringing improved benefits to over 220 Martlets employees
A new affordable way into digital benefits.
Bringing improved benefits to over 220 Martlets employees
How much will it cost?
Price depends on how many employees are included and the features provided. They can start off as low as £4/month per person for the most basic level of service but can rise to between £20 and £40 a year per employee for fully equipped solutions which integrate with payroll and other HR systems.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I create an employee benefits package?
There are many aspects to developing an employee benefits scheme. First you need to outline your needs – number of people to be included, budget, logistics and benefits required, for example. Careful planning is essential in order to create a benefit scheme that provides optimal benefit to employee and business.
Many businesses choose to work with independent employee benefits brokers, like Engage Health Group, as we can answer all their questions about the process and guide them through all the stages required to create a benefits package which fulfils key business objectives.
Online benefits platforms have become an indispensable part of the set-up and management of benefit schemes.
Which is the best online benefits platform for UK businesses?
There are now so many platforms available (see section above) and each has its own strengths and weaknesses. Or, more accurately, best use cases. We’ve helped connect a wide range of companies to platforms which best address their requirements. There is no one solution which best supports all business types, but there will be one that best supports yours.
Employee Benefits Platforms
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