Authored by

Joe Howard

Head of Employee Benefits, Chartered Financial Planner

Joe oversees advice and administrative support for Amber River Premier’s corporate clients. With two decades of experience, he has worked extensively with high-net-worth individuals, business owners, HR and finance teams, and pension trustee boards.

Find out more about Joe

In today’s workplace, it’s not enough to just offer a salary. Many companies know that a well-rounded employee benefits package is essential for both attracting and retaining their top talent.

Joe Howard, Head of Employee Benefits at Amber River Premier, explains how creating a flexible and meaningful employee benefits programme can make all the difference in today’s competitive job market.

Why flexible employee benefits matter now more than ever

It’s been a tough few years for Human Resources (HR) teams. Supporting employees’ physical, mental and financial well-being has become more complex than ever. If the pandemic taught us anything, it’s that everyone has different needs, and a ‘one-size-fits-all’ benefits package is no longer good enough.

Employees now expect – and deserve – benefits that fit their individual needs. Ignoring this can lead to high employee turnover, lower productivity, more sick days, and a workforce that feels undervalued.

While salary is important, it’s not the only thing that matters when it comes to keeping employees happy. A flexible benefits programme shows your team that you value them as individuals, offering perks that boost motivation, engagement and loyalty.

Building a positive workplace culture

A well-designed benefits package can help build a company culture that people want to be part of. You can enhance your reputation as an employer that recognises and rewards employees for their hard work, creating an environment where people feel appreciated and supported.

In fact, a benefits programme that rewards success, and aligns with your company’s values can help foster a sense of belonging. It shows your employees that you understand their needs and are willing to invest in their well-being. This can set your company apart from others and make it a place where people are eager to work.

Custom benefits for a diverse team

One of the best things about a flexible benefits package is that it can reflect the diversity of your workforce. For example, not all employees will be interested in cycle-to-work schemes or discounted gym memberships, but for some, these perks are game-changers. The key is giving employees the freedom to choose what works for them. It can be a deciding factor in whether they stay with your company long-term.

Supporting health and well-being should also be a top priority. Research shows that 46% of employers have seen an increase in the number of workers experiencing issues with mental health in the past 12-months. When companies provide benefits that address these needs, they’re not only supporting employees but also creating a healthier, more productive workplace.

A great benefits programme can also provide essential well-being services like counselling, health advice, and support to employees who are caring for a partner, child, or elderly relative.

These offerings can give employees peace of mind, knowing that help is available when they need it most.

46% of employers have seen an increase in the number of workers experiencing issues with mental health in the past 12-months

Clear communication is vital

Having a fantastic benefits package won’t make much difference if your employees don’t know about it or understand how it works. Communication is everything when it comes to helping your team get the most out of their benefits.

Take income protection, for example. It’s a valuable benefit, but many employees don’t appreciate its importance simply because they don’t fully understand it. That’s why educating your employees about their benefits is crucial.

At Amber River Premier, we work with employers to identify the benefits that matter most to their team. Then, we run seminars and provide resources throughout the year to ensure employees have a clear understanding of their options. This helps employees make informed decisions, whether it’s about pension savings, tax planning, or the cost of living.

The power of a flexible benefits platform

Many of our clients want to offer a great benefits package without breaking the bank. The best way to achieve this is via a flexible benefits platform. It allows employees to pick and choose from a comprehensive menu of benefits, making sure they get what’s most important to them without employers paying for benefits that go unused.

For employees, having all their benefits in one place on a single easy-to-access platform makes things simpler.

For employers, it streamlines and automates the whole process, frees HR teams to focus on their core business priorities, and ensures the HR budget goes further.

Plus, a platform like this gives employers valuable insights into which benefits are being used, so they can keep improving their offerings based on what employees actually want.

How Amber River Premier can help

A competitive flexible employee benefits programme can help any business take care of its most important asset – its people.

At Amber River Premier, we specialise in creating flexible benefits platforms tailored to your company’s values and culture. We believe that by putting your employees first, you create a workplace where everyone feels valued and supported.

Get in touch

If you’d like to speak to one of our team or learn more about how we can help your business, give us a call at 01628 952 555, or fill out our contact form to arrange a consultation.