media centre: popular harca introduces benefits for the 21st century
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May 2004
Poplar HARCA introduces benefits for the 21st century
Housing Association, Poplar HARCA has introduced a new online flexible benefit scheme called “Poplar Benefits”.
As the first Housing Association in the UK to introduce online flexible benefits, “Poplar Benefits” brings a number of new bonuses for employees including the opportunity to buy and sell holiday, private medical insurance, annual health checks, dental insurance and tax free pcs.
Poplar HARCA appointed thomsons online benefits, the second largest Independent Financial Adviser in the UK, to create and support an on-line benefit scheme relevant for their employees.
Poplar HARCA had a number of objectives:
- Aiding recruitment; Flexible benefits would be used as a method of attracting high quality recruits (particularly graduates) by differentiating Poplar HARCA from other public sector employers;
- Improving retention;
- Re-communicating and raising the understanding and appreciation of the employee benefit package amongst employees;
- Better aligning the benefits structure to their business strategy and to assist in promoting culture change.
Mustapha Jobe, Manager of Human Resources said:
“Consultation was key to developing a scheme that staff really wanted. Employees and representatives from the GMB and Unison unions were involved from the beginning.”
“thomsons online benefits ran an employee survey which showed strong support for the introduction of flexible benefits, 69 per cent thought the benefits in place needed to be reviewed.
The survey was followed up by a number of focus groups involving a wide range of staff. These sessions discussed issues such as the design and communication of the eventual plan in greater detail. We even ran a competition for staff to vote on the branding of the scheme “Poplar Benefits” was chosen.”
Once the scheme was agreed, thomsons online benefits ran a series of open days to communicate “Poplar Benefits” and some of Poplar HARCA employees were trained as “flex champions” to answer frequently asked questions and to assist employees enrol into the scheme online.
The flexible benefit package agreed by employees includes: Buying and selling holiday, private medical insurance, annual health checks, dental insurance, tax free PCs and a range of voluntary benefits.
Poplar HARCA employees select and manage their benefit choices online. Help is at hand with a telephone line supported by thomsons online benefits.
Poplar HARCA view the introduction of flexible benefits as a success with a high take up by staff.. One happy customer Moniur Hussian, Finance Officer and Unison BMG secretary said:
“Employees feel better off under Poplar Benefits. Many of my colleagues have signed up and taking full advantage of the scheme.”
Notes to editors
Poplar HARCA is a Registered Social Landlord that owns and manages around 5000 homes in Poplar, Tower Hamlets. We are registered with the Housing Corporation.
Poplar HARCA is a company limited by guarantee and a registered charity providing housing and associated amenities and, directly and with others, regenerating the Poplar area.
We were the first housing company set up to run former local authority housing in an urban area. Its remit extends beyond providing housing as it has an extensive social regeneration programme. This programme is run through the network of neighbourhood centres - one on each estate. Here local people meet for community events, playgroups, training, advice and many other services.
For more information on Poplar HARCA contact:
Helen New
Communication Manager
Poplar HARCA
Tel: 020 7510 9909
Email: helen.new@poplarharca.co.uk
www.poplarharca.co.uk
For more information on thomsons online benefits contact:
Caroline Shenton
thomsons online benefits
Tel: 020 7808 7588
Email: cs@t-bx.com
www.thomsonsonlinebenefits.com
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