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
Investec launches new voluntary benefits programme
Leading specialist banking group Investec have enjoyed a hugely successful launch of their brand new voluntary benefits package, with over 50% of its employees signing up to the programme within just five days of launch.
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
06 Jan TD Waterhouse revamps flexible benefits after acquisition
Analysis
Using voluntary benefits to motivate staff
Discounts offered through a voluntary benefits scheme can help keep staff motivated when budgets are tight, says Victoria Furness
02 Nov Less common salary sacrifice perks
03 Aug Buyer's guide to cycle-to-work schemes (August 2009)
06 Jul Buyer's guide to voluntary benefits systems (July 2009)
01 Jun Employers must beware of salary sacrifice pitfalls
01 Jun Safeguarding personal employee data must be a priority
Case Studies
French Connection peddles cycle-to-work scheme
French Connection is communicating its newly-launched cycle-to-work scheme to boost take-up of the perk. The clothing retailer introduced the scheme in December for staff in all its retail stores.
01 Feb Expedia staff donate via payroll giving
01 Feb Mills and Reeve brings health screening on-site
16 Dec Investec launches new voluntary benefits programme
02 Nov Case Study: Northern Rail keeps Christmas perks
02 Nov Voluntary benefits at IBM
Research
Employee Benefits Research 2009: voluntary benefits
The annual 2009 research on UK voluntary benefits shows that access to discounted products is a cheap, cost-effective way to provide benefits.
01 May Employee Benefits Research 2009: how benefits are offered
27 Nov Voluntary Benefits & Salary Sacrifice Research 2007
30 Apr Employee Benefits Research 2007: Salary sacrifice & voluntary benefits
01 Feb Employers seek to raise perks but not the costs
Sponsor's Articles
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
20 Oct Glasgow Housing Association exceeds engagement target for VB scheme with Asperity
17 Sep Axa launches staff discount scheme with Asperity
27 Aug Record-breaking discount scheme launches at Asperity Employee Benefits
