Socotec introduces affordable and sustainable healthcare solution
Socotec is a UK provider of testing, inspection and compliance services, working with organisations in the environmental, infrastructure and construction industries. It has around 2,500 employees in the UK, ranging from scientists in its labs to surveyors and technicians in the field – and those working in office roles.
“All of those roles have very different health and wellbeing needs – and all of them are really important in delivering Socotec’s comprehensive range of services,” said Jonathan Ordish, payroll and benefits manager.
“Historically, we’ve had full-blown private medical insurance (PMI) for our most senior roles, but we wanted to do something more for everyone else – and put some real weight behind our wellbeing rhetoric and campaigns.”
Affordability and sustainability
“From our staff surveys we knew that health benefits topped the list of what our people really wanted. We also knew that realistically we couldn’t afford to extend traditional PMI to everyone. We’ve seen our current premiums go up sharply each year, and we needed something more affordable and more sustainable,” said Ordish.
“Equipsme was the perfect solution. It’s allowed us to use our budget to do as much as we can for as many people as we can.”
He explained that the organisation had worked hard to create a comprehensive benefits package that includes things like a generous pension scheme, holiday purchase scheme, EV leasing, group life insurance cover and a share scheme.
For health benefits they offer an EAP for mental health and a health-check programme for preventative health. But practical support for physical illness or injury was a missing link in the portfolio.
“We wanted to plug the gap with something that didn’t involve salary sacrifice and would become a sticky benefit – helping us really reward tenure and retain top talent. With this solution the only cost to our people is a small P11D tax, and the benefits were exactly what we were looking for,” said Ordish.
GP access
Socotec has introduced the new benefit to anyone with two years of service, with a rolling programme of enrollments as people hit the 24-month mark. Included in the plan is a 24/7 GP service, health support line, and physiotherapy sessions.
“For us, primary care was a real focus, because so much of our sickness absence is due to everyday health issues,” said Ordish.
“We all know that the NHS is stretched thin, and we all know how difficult it is to get to see a GP and get the attention you need. We wanted to be able to help people with that, so they’re not putting off health issues – or wasting our time and their own waiting on phone lines or in waiting rooms for an appointment.
“Now people have the tools and access, so they don’t have to be distracted by the waiting or the worry. They can make a GP appointment at a time to suit them, discuss their health without a time limit, and get the support they need to hopefully get back up and running as quickly as possible. At the end of the day that’s great for individuals, and great for us as a business,” he added.
"An added benefit is that employees can choose to upgrade to private healthcare or add family members.
Between PMI and a cash plan
“As a benefits professional it’s been great to have a new option that sits between PMI and cash plans. I’ve particularly liked how clear, transparent and easy everything has been from the outset – from what’s included and what’s not, to how it works and how much it all costs,” said Ordish.
“Investing in health is an increasing priority across all industries, and the more we can all do to support employees to be able to come to work and fully engage with their role the better it is for everyone.”
Supplied by REBA Associate Member, Equipsme
Equipsme - the middle ground between traditional private medical insurance and cash plans.
