HardSoft

Hardware and software leasing business HardSoft has launched a financial wellbeing platform for its workforce to help them navigate the cost-of-living crisis.

The platform, which is provided by Bippit, offers access to professionally qualified financial coaches, as well as a suite of financial wellbeing tools. The service is free for the firm's 46 employees with no tax implications as it is a P11D-exempt benefit.

The organisation introduced the platform because it wanted to offer support to staff aged 25 to 35 who may be entering longer-term relationships, looking at a property purchase or having children. It also wanted to help employees who have been in their roles for more than five years, who may be concerned about planning for their children and their own financial goals as they get older.

Philip Morgan, co-founder of HardSoft, said: “While salary is very important for all staff, it is also important for us to offer a complete package of benefits to complement people's busy and stressful lifestyles. Since Covid-19 (Coronavirus), the whole package has become a bigger focus for us and we have instigated flexible-working hours, working-from-home hybrid packages to suit people's needs, and private medical health schemes. This year, we wanted to help people with their financial wellbeing.

“As we looked around, we found the platform with Bippit. We were thrilled with how easy to navigate the platform is and I liked the fact that there was both unlimited access to financial coaches. It is good to see that staff can interact with financial coaches in a number of ways, such as a chat facility, or set up a meeting and have a review on a regular basis. I think Bippit will integrate into the HardSoft culture and be a real benefit to us and staff.”