Alliance launches staff benefits service.
At Alliance saw the launch of its new, fully-subsidised online staff benefits platform: Mybenefits. With some prestigious clients already signed up, they must be doing something right. HR Magazine met with Pauline Mei Ling Williams, Director of the initiative, to find out what features the service provides that make it stand out from the rest.
Communication
Using various functions, such as Mychatroom, online surveys and contact with a dedicated Engagement Manager, staff can communicate their needs, ideas and suggestions for improvement to senior management. With the Mychatroom forum, they can even do this anonymously; a great way for employees to engage and interact with employers without feeling under pressure. The Alliance Mybenefits team can be contacted online and within 24 hours staff can receive a response to insurance queries from qualified insurance experts. Mybenefits is not simply an intranet system; a centralised platform of information—though this function it performs well—rather it is a tool designed for staff engagement maximisation in addition to staff benefits provision.
For staff at companies with flexi- or voluntary benefits arrangements, the ease of selection, range of choice and up-to-the-minute deals and options will ensure that they are getting exactly what they want or need, Williams said, “The system is designed to heighten staff satisfaction, so you can tailor your provisions to their requirements.”
Efficiency
The time saved for HR staff by being able to offload many processes to the platform will, according to Williams, “Allow them to spend more time concentrating their efforts on strategic processes.” The Mybenefits team updates management teams regularly on the latest market trends, procedures and practices, with an in-depth breakdown each quarter. In addition, firms are constantly informed of insurance deals so that they can get the best value for their money. Success and efficiency of benefit plans, business policies and campaigns can be monitored by means of questionnaires put to staff on the platform—fully customisable, with the advantage of giving firms the opportunity to revise and gather suggestions directly from its employees. To encourage candid feedback, these surveys can be completed anonymously.
Satisfaction
The platform currently serves approximately 40,000 members based in 24 large corporates—companies with fewer than 250 staff while currently not included are hoped to be incorporated within the next year. The next projected innovation is planned to be a smartphone app allowing all members to be truly connected to their services; able to make use of them wherever and whenever they wish. As a part of the service, a dedicated Engagement Manager will visit your office for performance reviews and feedback sessions with staff, in addition to attending team building events to be the ‘eye and ears’ for the company in order for employees to be able to give ideas and feedback in a relaxed atmosphere.
The group is continuously striving to expand the range of options for benefits packages. From discounts on fine dining and spa treatments to nutrition and lifestyle advice, Alliance aims to respond to feedback and deliver what people will actually use. Sometimes it involves thinking outside of the box, Williams enthused, “It can be as simple as allowing employees to use their medical cover to visit traditional Chinese medical practitioners.”
And, did we mention—it’s free!
Paul Arkwright
Publisher
