EXCLUSIVE: The Body Shop splits flexible benefits into three categories

The Body Shop is to outsource its flexible benefits plan after administering it in-house for 10 years and has divided its flexible benefits into three categories – My Health, My Money and My Family – to target staff communications.

Francine Smith, reward and benefits adviser at The Body Shop, said: “We are getting rid of all the language of flex, which a lot of people do not understand, and keeping it simple and meaningful for employees so the benefits on offer are ones they actually need.”

The retailer will move to its new online flex scheme, provided by Team Rewards, in May, in order to make cost and time savings, as well as offer a wider range of benefits.

The three categories are being promoted separately, primarily to Body Shop’s office-based employees, beginning with My Health last month. Throughout January, the firm offered staff health screenings; healthcare roadshows with providers WPA, Westfield Health and Best Doctors; bike checks; healthy-eating promotions in its onsite canteen; stress-reduction sessions including reflexology and reiki; and a stop smoking club.

This month, the My Money promotion includes financial education and one-to-one pension sessions.
My Family, which includes childcare vouchers and an onsite nursery, will be promoted in the summer, inviting staff and their families to various events.

Communications have started with direct mailing to all stores. More activities are planned for May, when the new flex platform launches.

Read more about flexible benefits schemes