EXCLUSIVE: Thames Valley Police, which has 8,000 employees covering 2,200 square miles and three counties, has introduced a voluntary benefits portal to help support staff both in and out of the workplace.
The new benefit, provided by Xexec, was implemented on 22 August 2018 in order to augment the force’s existing benefits scheme, as well as to provide 24/7 access. Thames Valley Police also launched the portal to help employees’ salaries go further and make the most of their money.
Jenny Roddam, business partner, reward, people directorate at Thames Valley Police, said: “We’re less than a month into the scheme and have already had some positive feedback from our staff. As a public sector organisation, we need to make sure we’re doing all we can to support our staff’s lives outside of the workplace and make their salaries go further, even at times when budgets might be restricted. Offering employee discounts and concierge is therefore a huge benefit.”
The voluntary benefits portal enables staff to have access to more than 3,000 discounts, which includes vouchers for lifestyle, health and wellbeing products, cash back deals and shopping cards for various retailers. The portal also allows employees access to a lifestyle concierge service. This provides tickets to sports, arts and entertainment events across the UK, as well as deals with restaurant bookings, flight information and hotel rooms.
The portal will support Thames Valley Police’s existing benefits package. This includes local offers, such as a gym corporate discount and small business schemes.
The launch was communicated to employees using internal social media site Yammer, weekly staff emails and screensavers.
Roddam added: “We’re a 24/7 organisation, so it was really important for us to have a scheme that could be accessed anytime and anywhere. Xexec really deliver in that respect and it’s great to have them on board.”
