Voluntary benefits
Voluntary benefits schemes enable organisations to offer extra perks, discounted products and services to the workforce at little or no extra cost to the company. These benefits are paid for by the employee, sometimes through payroll. Perks that attract an employer tax break can be offered through a salary sacrifice arrangement. It is advisable to get in a tax expert when you implement a salary sacrifice scheme.
Definitions of common voluntary benefits terms
News
News analysis: Retail vouchers prove a taxing issue
The European Court of Justice's ruling on the VAT status of retail vouchers could have wide implications for salary sacrifice, says Jennifer Paterson
01 Sep Imagine Co-operative Childcare rebrands
01 Sep Tax-efficient mobiles to be offered via salary sacrifice
11 Aug Sainsbury's increases take-up of cycle-to-work scheme
03 Aug European Court confirms VAT due on retail vouchers in salary sacrifice
Analysis
Buyer's guide to voluntary benefits (July 2010)
Discounts on products and services are popular with employees, and an off-the-shelf voluntary benefits plan can be a cost-efficient option, says Tynan Barton
01 Sep The big question: Are voluntary benefits just a conduit for selling products?
02 Aug Buyer's guide to cycle-to-work schemes (August 2010)
04 May Employee feedback shapes flexible and voluntary benefits
01 Mar Thought leaders 2010: The year ahead: Build valued extras onto reward basics
02 Nov Voluntary benefits report 2009: Integrating voluntary benefits with total reward
Case Studies
Case Study: Barclays
Barclays Bank offers its employees a range of charitable benefits. The bank has offered a payroll giving scheme since June 1987, and introduced matching contributions in 2002.
01 Feb Expedia staff donate via payroll giving
01 Feb French Connection peddles cycle-to-work scheme
01 Feb Mills and Reeve brings health screening on-site
16 Dec Investec launches new voluntary benefits programme
Research
Benefits Research 2010: Voluntary benefits provision
During the economic downturn, voluntary benefits schemes have been a way for employers to help their employees' salaries stretch a little bit further.
01 May Employee Benefits Research 2009: how benefits are offered
01 May Employee Benefits Research 2009: voluntary benefits
27 Nov Voluntary Benefits & Salary Sacrifice Research 2007
30 Apr Employee Benefits Research 2007: Salary sacrifice & voluntary benefits
Sponsor's Articles
12 Apr Three Asperity schemes shortlisted for Employee Benefits Awards 2010
05 Feb Asperity celebrates 4th birthday with record quarter
18 Jan Ladbrokes doubles employee engagement
15 Dec Over half of Investec’s employees start shopping with Asperity within 5 days of launch
09 Dec Heinz switches to Asperity to increase employee engagement
