Do your employees know about your EAP?

Welcome to the June edition of Employee Benefits Insights.

Every month I summarise the latest trends, expert insights, and exclusive updates in the world of employee benefits. As we continue our mission to build a world working at its best, widening the scope of conversation is essential.

Here’s what I’ll cover this month:

1. Do your employees know about your EAP?
2. Get your benefits expert-certified!
3. Are childcare costs hurting your business?
4. Benefit spotlight: Seniorcare by Lottie
5. Useful resources

1. Do your employees know about your EAP?

79% of employers offer Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) to support mental health challenges. However, new research from HCML reveals:

• Only 27% of employees know they have access to an EAP.
• Engagement rates with EAPs are only 3-5%.

With mental health issues causing over half of sickness absences, it's clear the current EAP rollout isn’t working.

There are two main problems:

1. Companies don't effectively communicate the value of their benefits to employees.
2. Mental health support shouldn’t be limited to a one-size-fits-all EAP.

Employees want guidance on things like nutrition, sleep quality, and overall wellbeing too. We need to start taking a more holistic and personalised approach to tackling employee mental health challenges.

2. Get your benefits expert-certified!

Investing in benefits is a huge commitment to your team. It’s something you want to showcase, right?

I’m super excited to share that Ben has launched a benefits certification with the help of a panel of benefits experts!

Certifying your benefits not only gives you a competitive edge, it also tells potential candidates:

• You have expert endorsement.
• You genuinely prioritise your people.
• You go beyond industry standards with awesome benefits.

It’s an easy three-step process. Discover how to get certified here.

3. Are childcare costs hurting your business?

A staggering 70% of working parents in the UK have left or are considering leaving their jobs due to childcare costs. With full-time nursery fees for one child under two averaging around £16,000 per year, it's no surprise.

Barbara Matthews, CPO at Remote, argues that working parents could solve the UK's growing skills gap, but they lack adequate support. I completely agree.

This is where employee benefits can make a real difference. For example, workplace nursery schemes are highly tax-efficient for both employers and employees (one of our Ben employees saved £6,000 last year through our scheme), but they’re not talked about! There are cost-effective options out there. Learn more about workplace nursery schemes here.

4. Benefit Spotlight: Seniorcare by Lottie

By the end of this year, more employees will have elderly dependents than children.

I’m excited to share that Ben has partnered with Seniorcare by Lottie - a leading eldercare benefits provider. They help equip your team with the tools to plan for care, access financial assistance and find in-home care. Check them out here.

5. Useful Resources

🎤 [Webinar recording] Leveraging health data for a healthier workforce.

📚 [Blog] 7 ways employers can support employees with caregiving responsibilities

💻 [Free tool] AI HR policy generator.