EXCLUSIVE: Southern Water has launched an employer-funded health cash plan for its 2,000 employees.
The scheme, ‘yourHealth Cash Plan’ provided by Bupa, has achieved more than 68% employee opt in since its launch in July.
The organisation launched the scheme after research among employees found that staff wanted assistance with healthcare costs.
More than £10,000 worth of claims have been made in the first two months since the scheme’s launch.
The scheme was communicated using employee briefings, roadshows and drop-in sessions at several of Southern Water’s offices. Emails, posters, internal newsletters and information on the staff intranet were also used.
The cash plan has been launched as part of the utilities organisation’s 2014 focus on employee wellbeing. In July, the organisation also tripled its bikes for work take up with a relaunch.
Suzanne Gregory, reward manager at Southern Water, said: “The introduction of the cash plan fits really well with our promotion of the wellbeing programme that we are working on this year and with engagement with our employees within the organisation.
“It promotes wellbeing [because] it offers cash back for routine everyday health needs including optical and dental check-ups and prescription charges
“Regardless of whether employees choose to have NHS or private treatment, the cash plan will give money back on the cost of treatments.
“I am delighted with the response rate, with over £10,000 worth of claims already made in the first two months.”