Employee Benefits Connect: Hitachi Data Systems takes a global view on benefits

Hitachi Data Systems has taken steps to reduce its benefits administration and control costs, improve its international reward offering and ensure employees understand the value of their package.

The company has developed a global benefits philosophy to ensure that perks, whether paid by the employee or employer, give the best value for money. It also wanted its offering to be consistent, meet local expectations and support work-life balance.

This involved identifying all the benefits that could be offered to staff, including those that might be offered by the state in some countries. Categories included health and welfare, work-life balance, recognition, education, financial and transportation. Once the company had decided which benefits to offer, it issued details to HR business partners across the globe.

The multinational pooling of its benefits has enabled Hitachi to maintain its private medical insurance scheme rates, and therefore to save money.

Its next step will be to introduce international total reward statements. Speaking at Employee Benefits Connect, Carol Baylis, Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) total rewards director at Hitachi Data Systems, said: “We need staff to be engaged in the benefits they are given or it is a waste of money.”

In the UK, Hitachi can access information about its benefits package via an online data management system from JLT Connect. This makes it easier for the HR and finance team to communicate with staff, and allows data to be shared with advisers, insurers and other parts of the business.

Read more about international benefits