| Employee benefit schemes are valued by staff and | | | | Don't just give staff a load of paper-based bumph to |
| attractive to potential employees. However, it's | | | | go through; consider trying to bring the benefits to life |
| important that you do your research to find out the | | | | more. For example: |
| benefits that people actually want. That way there's | | | | Show them a bike available through the scheme |
| less risk of you wasting money on benefits that people | | | | Investigate free financial education initiatives which |
| are not interested in and there is a greater chance of | | | | explain schemes such as pensions |
| staff being happy with their perks package. | | | | Arrange talks on childcare vouchers and private |
| To offer the right benefits package you need to do | | | | medical insurance. |
| your 'market' research. | | | | Demonstrate action |
| Staff surveys | | | | Staff will be more likely to engage with your research |
| One of the most valuable bits of research you can do | | | | if you can prove you're not all talk with no action. If you |
| is to conduct a survey within your company to canvas | | | | can, show examples of successful initiatives that have |
| opinion. Before you unleash the survey on your | | | | been implemented as the result of a previous survey |
| employees, let them know in advance that it will be | | | | of the same kind. This proves that you care what |
| coming. This gives them time to prepare and also to | | | | staff want and listen to them. |
| do some research. | | | | Make it simple |
| You will need to give staff information about the types | | | | Your survey must be simple and easy to access or |
| of benefits that could be on offer and perhaps provide | | | | staff will be put off. Make sure: |
| examples. Popular types of staff benefit include: | | | | You keep the questions short or you will lose |
| Pensions | | | | people's interest |
| PMI, also known as private medical insurance and | | | | You could consider reassuring staff it will take less |
| private health insurance | | | | than five minutes to complete |
| Bike schemes | | | | The questions are easy to understand and not |
| Concierge services | | | | ambiguous in any way. |
| Flexitime | | | | Think about how the survey will be conducted - by |
| Childcare vouchers | | | | interview, in paper form or online? Online is the most |
| It's a good idea to research what your competitors | | | | flexible option, and results and reports can be |
| and others in your industry are offering if you want to | | | | automatically generated. |
| be an attractive employer. | | | | |