Kia here, and this episode we're chatting about all things work. It's so easy to think that workplace benefits start and end with your salary, but if you're lucky, sometimes there's much more to it than that. You might be sitting on a huge pile of benefits that you had no idea about. This is getting a bit clickbaity, so I'm going to jump right into the episode. Joining me is Rebecca Moore from Liaise, a healthcare and specialist support service. So let's do it. I feel like I'm missing out here. What are some of the common benefits you might get if you're working for a company, Rebecca?

Kia here, and this episode we're chatting about all things work. It's so easy to think that workplace benefits start and end with your salary, but if you're lucky, sometimes there's much more to it than that. You might be sitting on a huge pile of benefits that you had no idea about. This is getting a bit clickbaity, so I'm going to jump right into the episode. Joining me is Rebecca Moore from Liaise, a healthcare and specialist support service. So let's do it. I feel like I'm missing out here. What are some of the common benefits you might get if you're working for a company, Rebecca?

Workplace benefits go beyond salary, so you should really do your research into what's on offer. Things to look out for, things like health insurance, pension schemes, paid leave. Some companies go the extra mile to offer extra perks like flexible working programs, opportunities for professional development and wellbeing programs. So you've got your employee assistance programs and even flexible pay and things like that.

Workplace benefits go beyond salary, so you should really do your research into what's on offer. Things to look out for, things like health insurance, pension schemes, paid leave. Some companies go the extra mile to offer extra perks like flexible working programs, opportunities for professional development and wellbeing programs. So you've got your employee assistance programs and even flexible pay and things like that.

Should our listeners be looking at more than just a salary when they change jobs, because people are looking at different jobs - is it just the money? Or if not, what other things should people be looking at?

Should our listeners be looking at more than just a salary when they change jobs, because people are looking at different jobs - is it just the money? Or if not, what other things should people be looking at?

Yeah, absolutely, salary's just one piece of the puzzle. That's not the be all and end all, especially in this day and age where we can feel the pinch in lots of different areas. When evaluating job offers, you need to look at the other things that are on offer as well. Things like healthcare coverage, life assurance, staff discounts. These all compound towards your financial wellbeing, so you should make sure you're taking advantage of all those things and research what the company's got o n offer for you, because you can absolutely save a lot of money over time. Even things like free car parking, it all adds up.

Yeah, absolutely, salary's just one piece of the puzzle. That's not the be all and end all, especially in this day and age where we can feel the pinch in lots of different areas. When evaluating job offers, you need to look at the other things that are on offer as well. Things like healthcare coverage, life assurance, staff discounts. These all compound towards your financial wellbeing, so you should make sure you're taking advantage of all those things and research what the company's got o n offer for you, because you can absolutely save a lot of money over time. Even things like free car parking, it all adds up.

That's a big one. It definitely does help.

That's a big one. It definitely does help.

Yeah, yeah.

Yeah, yeah.

So when it comes to factoring in benefits, what would you say would be important? I know for me, when I was working and had one of my first jobs, healthcare was not something that I knew was important to me, but having access to people who could help me, doctors on tap, and being able to access things like counselling or things that I didn't realize were good benefits, but what should people really have a look and consider? What would be some key ones that you'd say, make sure that a company has X, Y, and Z. What would you say?

So when it comes to factoring in benefits, what would you say would be important? I know for me, when I was working and had one of my first jobs, healthcare was not something that I knew was important to me, but having access to people who could help me, doctors on tap, and being able to access things like counselling or things that I didn't realize were good benefits, but what should people really have a look and consider? What would be some key ones that you'd say, make sure that a company has X, Y, and Z. What would you say?

I think when you talk about that, about those benefits to do with healthcare and counselling, most companies offer something called an employee assistance program. It's probably one of the main benefits that people tend to offer. On that, you normally get a few free counselling sessions, and it's good to have access to those things, because sometimes the NHS can be a bit slow. You want to talk to someone straight away. Normally with your EAP, you've got someone on hand 24/ 7 that you can call them, have a chat - it's not just about mental health and things like that, but also financial counselling. Sometimes they put you in touch with people that might give you just a bit more of an insight into where you need to go, pinpoint you in the right direction. You can even call them to ask for... like if you've got something going on at home, like legal problems or something, you could maybe get some advice and they'll point you in the right direction there. So that's really a good thing to have for employees.

I think when you talk about that, about those benefits to do with healthcare and counselling, most companies offer something called an employee assistance program. It's probably one of the main benefits that people tend to offer. On that, you normally get a few free counselling sessions, and it's good to have access to those things, because sometimes the NHS can be a bit slow. You want to talk to someone straight away. Normally with your EAP, you've got someone on hand 24/ 7 that you can call them, have a chat - it's not just about mental health and things like that, but also financial counselling. Sometimes they put you in touch with people that might give you just a bit more of an insight into where you need to go, pinpoint you in the right direction. You can even call them to ask for... like if you've got something going on at home, like legal problems or something, you could maybe get some advice and they'll point you in the right direction there. So that's really a good thing to have for employees.

I think that's a key one. I think even just sitting down with your manager at work and saying, " What is available to me?" I know I've definitely done this a fair few times and said, " There's so much out there, what exactly is available to me as an employee?" And then you can have a look at that list and figure out what's going to work for you.

I think that's a key one. I think even just sitting down with your manager at work and saying, " What is available to me?" I know I've definitely done this a fair few times and said, " There's so much out there, what exactly is available to me as an employee?" And then you can have a look at that list and figure out what's going to work for you.

There's some other ones which are really good to have where you can have access to a GP online where you can ask them questions. It's difficult to get a GP appointment when you want one sometimes, so it's good to have that on hand where if you're just a bit worried about something, you can have a little chat with them. But that's a really good benefit to have. Not all companies would offer that, but it's definitely something to look out and ask for.

There's some other ones which are really good to have where you can have access to a GP online where you can ask them questions. It's difficult to get a GP appointment when you want one sometimes, so it's good to have that on hand where if you're just a bit worried about something, you can have a little chat with them. But that's a really good benefit to have. Not all companies would offer that, but it's definitely something to look out and ask for.

I completely agree. Let's talk about a few other benefits. We covered some of the main big ones, but what maybe perhaps smaller ones are available to employees maybe when it comes to their finances or things that they can have a look at to make maybe the financial burden a little bit easier if they're feeling that pressure?

I completely agree. Let's talk about a few other benefits. We covered some of the main big ones, but what maybe perhaps smaller ones are available to employees maybe when it comes to their finances or things that they can have a look at to make maybe the financial burden a little bit easier if they're feeling that pressure?

Something very high up on the employee benefits agenda at the moment, and something that I'm definitely looking at for my colleagues at my company, is having access to flexible pay. And I think probably for the younger generation as well, having access to your earned wages before payday, can sometimes ease that financial burden. If you've had something emergency come up that you need a bit of extra cash for, it's good to be able to access your earned wages before payday, and it stops you going to things like loan sharks and things like that where they're going to give you massive interest rates, so that's a good benefit to look out for. For the company I work for at the moment, we've introduced something called Wage Dream where colleagues can go onto an app - they have good visibility of the wages that they've earned so far, and also if they do overtime or something like that, they can have access to that money quicker than having to wait till payday. So if they wanted to go out next week, maybe they'll pick up a few extra hours this week and then they can access those funds to get that money quicker without having to wait.

Something very high up on the employee benefits agenda at the moment, and something that I'm definitely looking at for my colleagues at my company, is having access to flexible pay. And I think probably for the younger generation as well, having access to your earned wages before payday, can sometimes ease that financial burden. If you've had something emergency come up that you need a bit of extra cash for, it's good to be able to access your earned wages before payday, and it stops you going to things like loan sharks and things like that where they're going to give you massive interest rates, so that's a good benefit to look out for. For the company I work for at the moment, we've introduced something called Wage Dream where colleagues can go onto an app - they have good visibility of the wages that they've earned so far, and also if they do overtime or something like that, they can have access to that money quicker than having to wait till payday. So if they wanted to go out next week, maybe they'll pick up a few extra hours this week and then they can access those funds to get that money quicker without having to wait.

I think that's a good thing to have access to, especially as an employee. It's a good oversight and it feeds into that money management. We tend to focus on budgeting when it comes to the final stage once it gets paid into your account and what am I going to budget my money for? But if you know during the month how much you've currently earned, and maybe I'm going to do a few more hours, like you said, to be able to have a bit of extra money, it's a good way to keep on top of your money. I think that's a good point you made there.

I think that's a good thing to have access to, especially as an employee. It's a good oversight and it feeds into that money management. We tend to focus on budgeting when it comes to the final stage once it gets paid into your account and what am I going to budget my money for? But if you know during the month how much you've currently earned, and maybe I'm going to do a few more hours, like you said, to be able to have a bit of extra money, it's a good way to keep on top of your money. I think that's a good point you made there.

Yeah. One good thing about these apps as well is sometimes they allow you to put money away before you get the money into your bank account. So you don't really notice it as much when you're trying to save that 50 pounds or 10 pounds you might put away every month that you won't even realize that's come out. When you look in your saving pot, then it grows quite quickly. You don't even notice it.

Yeah. One good thing about these apps as well is sometimes they allow you to put money away before you get the money into your bank account. So you don't really notice it as much when you're trying to save that 50 pounds or 10 pounds you might put away every month that you won't even realize that's come out. When you look in your saving pot, then it grows quite quickly. You don't even notice it.

I think that's great. Exactly. Anything that we can do to make everything feel a little bit easier, but we're still planning for our finances, is a win in my books. That's what I think, for sure. So Rebecca, are there any traps to be aware of when it comes to taking advantage of workplace benefits? Like for example, is there something that's likely to be cheaper elsewhere?

I think that's great. Exactly. Anything that we can do to make everything feel a little bit easier, but we're still planning for our finances, is a win in my books. That's what I think, for sure. So Rebecca, are there any traps to be aware of when it comes to taking advantage of workplace benefits? Like for example, is there something that's likely to be cheaper elsewhere?

Yeah, that's a good question actually. While workplace benefits do offer convenience, it's important to compare cost and coverage. I'd definitely say that. So maybe healthcare benefits might not cover everything, and you might need to just assess if it's cost- effective, compared to maybe getting private cover. And then just make sure you're looking at potential tax implications for benefits like healthcare, because sometimes that might add onto that. It might not make it beneficial for you. So it's worthwhile doing your research around those points.

Yeah, that's a good question actually. While workplace benefits do offer convenience, it's important to compare cost and coverage. I'd definitely say that. So maybe healthcare benefits might not cover everything, and you might need to just assess if it's cost- effective, compared to maybe getting private cover. And then just make sure you're looking at potential tax implications for benefits like healthcare, because sometimes that might add onto that. It might not make it beneficial for you. So it's worthwhile doing your research around those points.

Completely agree. I think it's worthwhile just understanding and knowing what could come up, and just having a good overview over everything.

Completely agree. I think it's worthwhile just understanding and knowing what could come up, and just having a good overview over everything.

Yeah. Some companies do things like cycle to work schemes, parking's paid for, or the development programs for professional development. Maybe they've got apprenticeships you can go on and advance your career that way, and then obviously you are not having to pay for those things yourself, and that will be better financially for you in the long run, because you've managed to get a qualification. Also, you need to look at flexible working arrangements, other things they have an offer, like the employee assistance programs, maybe they've got an app where you can go on and get discounts from high street stores and things, and all those little bits mount up.

Yeah. Some companies do things like cycle to work schemes, parking's paid for, or the development programs for professional development. Maybe they've got apprenticeships you can go on and advance your career that way, and then obviously you are not having to pay for those things yourself, and that will be better financially for you in the long run, because you've managed to get a qualification. Also, you need to look at flexible working arrangements, other things they have an offer, like the employee assistance programs, maybe they've got an app where you can go on and get discounts from high street stores and things, and all those little bits mount up.

They all mount up. And I think what you mentioned about the employee development program, I definitely did that at one of my jobs. I used that and took advantage of it to another language, which is always useful. It's something I always wanted to do, and it's even better when my employee wants to pay me to learn a language.

They all mount up. And I think what you mentioned about the employee development program, I definitely did that at one of my jobs. I used that and took advantage of it to another language, which is always useful. It's something I always wanted to do, and it's even better when my employee wants to pay me to learn a language.

Yeah, absolutely.

Yeah, absolutely.

So that's a very key point you made there.

So that's a very key point you made there.

That's a great benefit.

That's a great benefit.

So for anyone listening, if you have listened to this podcast before, you'll know what's coming next. So Rebecca, I'm going to ask you a question. What are the three easy ways that people can use when it comes to workplace benefits to help them get a little bit richer?

So for anyone listening, if you have listened to this podcast before, you'll know what's coming next. So Rebecca, I'm going to ask you a question. What are the three easy ways that people can use when it comes to workplace benefits to help them get a little bit richer?

Number one, I'd definitely say maximize pension contributions, especially the employer matched ones. Number two, utilize your wellbeing programs, gym discounts, things like that. It all adds up and contributes to your health overall. So definitely go for that. And then number three, explore your employee share purchase plans. They're a really smart investment opportunity, and I think I would definitely encourage that.

Number one, I'd definitely say maximize pension contributions, especially the employer matched ones. Number two, utilize your wellbeing programs, gym discounts, things like that. It all adds up and contributes to your health overall. So definitely go for that. And then number three, explore your employee share purchase plans. They're a really smart investment opportunity, and I think I would definitely encourage that.

I completely echo that. I've definitely taken advantages of all of those that you've mentioned when I've been in different jobs before. So thank you so much, Rebecca. These have been some amazing gems that you've given to all of our listeners here, and it's been incredible. So thank you so much. Some great tips for saving money there, and you're going to need them, because next week I'm talking about a big one. It's something that's on a lot of people's minds a lot of the time, and that's a buying a house. Is it a pipe dream if you're a Gen Z or millennial? Come back next week to find out. And if this podcast has connected with you, then you know the score by now - hit follow, tell your friends, and keep on getting to grips with your money.

I completely echo that. I've definitely taken advantages of all of those that you've mentioned when I've been in different jobs before. So thank you so much, Rebecca. These have been some amazing gems that you've given to all of our listeners here, and it's been incredible. So thank you so much. Some great tips for saving money there, and you're going to need them, because next week I'm talking about a big one. It's something that's on a lot of people's minds a lot of the time, and that's a buying a house. Is it a pipe dream if you're a Gen Z or millennial? Come back next week to find out. And if this podcast has connected with you, then you know the score by now - hit follow, tell your friends, and keep on getting to grips with your money.