Westminster PCT scores NHS first with launch of online employee benefits

Westminster Primary Care Trust (PCT) has launched an online employee benefits scheme branded “It’s All About You” in conjunction with thomsons online benefits. While online benefits schemes have become increasingly common in the private sector, it is believed to be the first time one of this type has been introduced in the NHS. It highlights the value of the non-cash benefits provided for NHS staff. Westminster PCT plans to continue to develop this service to include a paperless annual leave planner.

It’s All About You provides each member of staff with a personalised website which includes a total reward statement detailing the value of their salary and ‘core benefits’ such as pension, training and holiday entitlement, together with access to detailed information on all their benefits and how they operate. Employees also have the ability to purchase tax efficient benefits online and a range of voluntary benefits including discounted eye and dental care, shopping and holidays.

The service is available on the Internet via a secure login and password, with 24-hour access. It is also available through the PCT’s Intranet.

Karen Broughton, Director of Human Resources and Corporate Affairs, says “It’s All About You” forms part of a long-term strategy to improve recruitment and retention at the Trust.

“We’re situated in the centre of London, surrounded by other PCTs and hospitals, not to mention private health services. We needed a competitive advantage to attract good staff, and non-pay related benefits are one way we can do this.

“Many private sector organisations have been offering online employee benefit schemes for years. We’ve learnt from them and ‘It’s All About You’ brings us into line with them and makes us more competitive.

“More importantly staff can see and access all their benefits every minute of every day and can therefore save themselves money every day. They’ll also save themselves time, for example, by being able to request annual leave online.”

One of the key reasons for setting up the service is to make staff more aware of what benefits are already on offer and their value.

“Staff were saying they didn’t know what they were entitled to, or how much their whole remuneration package was worth,” says Ms Broughton. “Now they can look online at a breakdown of their package, including salary, London weighting and add-ons such as how much the PCT spends on their training and development, annual leave and pension. This adds up to thousands of pounds more than their base salary and staff have a better idea of the true cost of the Trust’s investment in them.”

The site also contains information on development opportunities, financial advice, health services and the different types of leave available to staff, which includes areas such as a day’s leave when a child starts school and grandparent leave. It also links into the NHS’s staff discount website and explains how the NHS pension works and what it offers.

During the set-up of the service, PCT staff were consulted on what further benefits they would be interested in. The results include a home computing initiative in which staff can buy a computer tax-free and pay for it from their salary. A similar tax-free scheme is available for staff to buy childcare vouchers and also bicycles.

Karen Broughton says the response from the PCT’s 1000-plus staff has been incredibly positive. Staff have been made aware of the scheme via newsletters, brochures, road shows, one-to-one meetings and the provision of a telephone helpline.

The site will be constantly changing and staff have an opportunity to make suggestions as to what kind of benefits they’d like to see in the future and how to improve the site/and or the products offered. Work is already being done to find a way to offer cheaper mortgages, for example.

Following the launch of “It’s All About You” Westminster PCT has been awarded the Improving Working Lives Practice Plus standard which recognises the Trust’s achievement in improving the working lives of all employees.

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