Advertising agency Big Communications has introduced a flexible benefits plan after toying with the idea of launching an annual cash bonus.

The Midlands-based firm told staff about the online system using a Chinese meal theme, 'The Big Takeaway' is similar to a plan run by B&Q, which won an Employee Benefits Award this year.

Each of Big Communication's 50 employees had a takeaway box dropped on their desks, which included fortune cookies and a note suggesting they logged online to the benefits site.

Director Mark Firth said that because of the high turnover in their industry and the young make-up of its workforce, it wanted to change the way it rewards them.

Benefits in the flex package, provided by Thomsons Online Benefits, include a group personal pension, home computing scheme, holiday trading, a wine club and the ability to buy one's birthday off work at a discount.