International law firm Ince and CO has implemented a new flexible benefits scheme for its 200 UK-based non-partner staff which has introduced dental and international travel insurance for the first time.

The scheme, which is provided by Portus Online, was rolled out in November after staff requests for a package that would meet personal circumstances. Since its launch, take up has reached 50%.

The introduction came after a period of internal consultation following an external survey that found solicitors in general were interested in flexible benefits.

Mike Orton, director of human resources at Ince and Co, said: “That survey and the anecdotal feedback made us realise this is something we ought to do and wanted to do. We then ran some specific surveys and focus groups to get input on the design.”

The scheme replaces existing standalone benefits offered by the firm but also adds in dental cover through DenPlan and international travel insurance through Crispin Speers. Staff can now trade holiday up and down, as well as life cover, although staff cannot go below two-times salary and above six times. Previously, this was set at four-times salary for all staff.

Employees can access to the scheme through an external website. Communications in the run up to the launch included colourful posters across the office, emails sent out to all staff, and onsite presentations from Portus and the providers of the new benefits.

Orton added: “Also involved in the presentation was Legal and General which did a very effective slot to remind staff of their entitlement to pension contribution and how to go about enrolling. We are very pleased because a number of staff who had not been taking up the pension benefit have done so as a result of that.”

With offices in eight other global cities, Ince and Co will keep an eye on rolling flexible benefits out internationally. Orton added: “In principal, we would very much like to roll out to international offices but we would have to look at local providers for the services that Portus offers here."

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