London-based UKWritings provides academic writing support and educational services. Founded in 2016, the organisation employs over 90 people, including professional writers, editors, and customer service staff. In 2022 it launched a flexible benefits platform, a decision based on employee feedback, specifically the need for customisable benefits options. Some wanted better health and wellbeing support, while others wanted better financial planning or work-life balance benefits.
Jennifer Han, chief human resources officer at UKWritings, says: “Our team recognised that personalisation was essential for increasing employee engagement and satisfaction which led us to choose a platform enabling employees to select benefits based on their individual needs.”
The organisation partnered with benefits technology providers to implement a customised platform rather than a pre-built option, because it needed a platform that matched its corporate culture and workforce requirements. However, implementation was not without challenges, namely, user adoption and communication processes.
Some employees felt uncomfortable with the extensive choice and complexity of options available, which the employer addressed through interactive onboarding sessions, user guides and continuous HR support.
“We obtained regular employee feedback and collaborated with the platform provider to refine the interface while enhancing user experience,” says Hans. “Regular communication on optimum platform usage has played an essential role in increasing adoption rates.”
Employees have instant access to a range of benefit options, from health and wellbeing and financial planning tools to lifestyle perks. Artificial intelligence-driven tracking of usage patterns and feedback allows the employer to enhance its benefits offering by focusing on elements that provide real value to the team. As a result, rates of employee satisfaction and engagement have increased.
Han says: “Employees appreciate their ability to modify benefit packages to match their evolving needs through options like enhanced health and [wellbeing] coverage, childcare support selection, or increased annual leave. The platform has also enabled us to attract and keep skilled workers by establishing UKWritings as a caring employer focused on personal needs.”
