Food and funeral care retailer Central Co-op has introduced enhanced health and medical benefits for its around 7,600 employees as of this week.
The employer, which operates across the Midlands and East Anglia, has launched the DigiCare+ app through a partnership with Aviva. Staff can order an annual health check test kit to be delivered to their home, covering 20 different health markers, including the risk of diabetes, cholesterol status and liver health.
Other new benefits that are available and provided by Squire Healthcare include access to a virtual GP service seven days a week between 8am and 8pm, one-on-one sessions with a nutritionist to create goals to improve overall health, a mental health consultation covering a range of conditions, and access to a second medical opinion.
Staff can also access a wellbeing library with resources and guides on topics from financial wellbeing to cancer support, and discounts through GetActive on gyms, health clubs, yoga studios and boot camps across the UK.
Sarah Dickins, chief member, customer and people officer, said: “This benefit really complements everything else that we are doing in the wellbeing space to support our employees’ health. We care about wellbeing and are listening to our workers through our colleague voice forums. This helps us to build a compelling reward and wellbeing package and there is nothing more important than their wellbeing.
“We know that when we look after our staff, they look after our members and customers. This is how we deliver on our purpose of creating sustainable society for all. Many of the healthcare services are available for employees’ family members too.”
Central Co-op also offers an employee assistance programme (EAP) and a wellbeing centre hosted on its Reward Gateway platform, which offers exercise videos, recipes, mindfulness videos and financial wellbeing support. It is also training more of its wellbeing champions to become mental health first aiders.
