The UK workforce has never been more varied. Within a single organisation you might have head office teams working hybrid, shift workers on the warehouse floor, colleagues from different cultural backgrounds, and employees spanning four different generations. Yet many benefits packages are still designed as if everyone wants, and needs, exactly the same thing.
If your benefits programme isn’t getting the engagement you hoped for, the problem may not be the budget. It may be the one-size-fits-all approach.
The problem with a standard package
A traditional benefits package usually bundles together a handful of perks and hopes they land. But think about how differently people live and work:
- A new graduate may care most about everyday savings and mental wellbeing support.
- A parent juggling childcare may value quick, flexible access to healthcare.
- A shift worker may never see a noticeboard or intranet post, let alone use a perk that only works nine to five.
- A colleague from a different cultural background may want support that genuinely understands their needs.
When benefits don’t reflect these realities, they go unused. Unused benefits cost money and send the wrong message: that the programme was designed for the business, not the people.
What inclusive benefits actually look like
Inclusive benefits aren’t about offering more; they’re about offering what’s relevant. In practice, that means:
Flexibility. Employees choose the benefits that suit their stage of life, rather than accepting a fixed bundle.
Accessibility. Benefits should be available anywhere, anytime, and on any device. Virtual GP access, for example, is a huge help for people who can’t easily book time off to see a doctor.
Cultural awareness. Wellbeing support works best when it recognises the diversity of your workforce, including culturally sensitive services.
Affordability. Meaningful benefits don’t need to carry a huge price tag. Savings and perks that help with everyday costs can make a real difference, especially when budgets are tight for both employers and employees.
Why an employee benefits app changes the game
One of the biggest barriers to benefits engagement is simply awareness. If people don’t know what’s on offer, or can’t find it quickly, they won’t use it.
A dedicated employee benefits app puts everything in one place, in people’s pockets. It brings together perks, healthcare, wellbeing support and savings, so your team can access what they need when they need it, whether they’re at a desk, on the shop floor or on the road.
For employers, an app also offers something a paper brochure never could: data. Understanding which benefits are being used, and by whom, helps you refine your programme and shape smarter people strategies instead of guessing.
The business case for getting it right
When employees feel valued and supported, the benefits go well beyond the individual. Organisations that invest in relevant, accessible benefits often see:
- Higher engagement, as people feel the employer understands their needs.
- Lower absenteeism, thanks to easier access to health and wellbeing support.
- Stronger recruitment, because a flexible, modern benefits offer sets you apart from competitors.
- Better retention, as loyalty grows when people feel genuinely cared for.
In a tight labour market, these advantages matter more than ever.
Questions to ask about your current benefits
If you’re wondering whether your programme needs a rethink, start with these:
- Do all of our employees, including frontline and shift-based staff, know what benefits are available?
- Can people access their benefits easily from their phone?
- Do our benefits reflect the different ages, backgrounds and needs across our workforce?
- Do we know which benefits are actually being used?
- Does our programme feel like a genuine investment in people, or a box-ticking exercise?
If you answered “no” or “not sure” to any of these, there’s an opportunity to do things differently.
Your benefits, your way
At Matrix Benefits, we help organisations deliver flexible, affordable and inclusive benefits that work for every member of their team, across generations, cultures and industries. Our customisable employee benefits app makes it simple to offer a programme that goes beyond the basics.
Because when your employees feel valued, everything works better.
Ready to rethink your employee benefits? Get in touch with the Matrix Benefits team to find out how we can help.
