EXCLUSIVE: Kcom Group has launched a new flexible benefits platform as part of its strategy to allow employees to select benefits all year round.
Nearly 2,000 employees at the telecommunications organisation have access to the scheme, branded Pick Your Own, which launched on 1 April.
Benefits such as childcare vouchers, bikes for work and salary sacrifice cars are now available to staff all year round, instead of only during the annual enrolment window.
Other benefits available via the platform, which is provided by Vebnet, include pensions, extra holiday entitlement and private medical insurance.
Dan Ball, group reward manager at Kcom Group, said: “Employees can now pick and choose their benefits all year round. It was key for us to simplify the platform for staff as take-up had really stagnated on our previous flex scheme.”
Since the launch of Pick Your Own, the organisation has seen a rise in employee log-ins and take up of benefits. More than 80% of employees have logged on to the online platform compared to 63% last year.
In addition, 55% of employees have actively taken up benefits compared to 41% in 2013. This has been attributed to the organisation’s fun approach to communication, which was based on the concept of picking fruit and vegetables, said Ball.
“We did a lot of communications with videos, group broadcasts, emails and posters to push the idea of picking your own benefits,” he said. “It was the concept of picking fruit and veg that was silly but fun that helped engage employees. It put the whole idea of picking your own benefits when you want into employees’ minds.”
The relaunch of its flexible benefits scheme also allowed Kcom Group to extend core life assurance and group income protection benefits to every employee. Previously these benefits were only provided to pension scheme members.
“We are trying to be make our benefits go further,” said Ball. “The move away from a stale flex platform to Pick Your Own allows us to do just that. Where we can allow it, we will add new benefits that will be open all year round.
“Staff also now have a greater understanding of their total reward package. We are pleased with where we have got to but there is more to come.”
