Using tax efficient benefits to help fund your Voluntary Benefits Scheme

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Using tax efficient benefits to help fund your
Voluntary Benefits Scheme

• Jane Birch
• HR Benefits Manager
• GNER

CHOICES -  Winner in   
National Awards 2006
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Using tax efficient benefits to help fund your
Voluntary Benefits Scheme

• Kevin Hoines, Senior Company Council and Employee
  Representative, AMICUS Union
•  
• the application of tax efficient benefits that
  GNER has employed, not only has provided
  substantial financial savings to our employees,
  but the products are also a reflection of how we
  can improve employees quality of working and
  private lives. AMICUS the Union applaud GNER on
  this initiative and fully support any future
  initiatives that may jointly benefit the Company
  and its employees

CHOICES -  Winner in   
National Awards 2006
3
GNER Train Operating Company

• Established in 1996
• 17 million passengers each year
• Over 120 services every day
• 3400 employees
• 23 locations from Inverness to London
• Heavily Unionised

CHOICES -  Winner in   
National Awards 2006
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Why launch tax-efficient benefits?

• Great benefits
• Maintain our status as Employer of Choice
• Aligned with company goals
• Improve IT skills (computers)
• Company savings
• Richard McClean, Operations Director, on GNERs
  HCI scheme
•  
• it is a vital component of GNERs programme to
  increase computer literacy across the company and
  one which enables people to upgrade their home IT
  as well. The excitement on the face of the
  60-year old terminally computer terrified train
  guard, knowing that when he got home from his
  shift his new laptop would be waiting for him,
  was a fantastic sight to see

CHOICES -  Winner in   
National Awards 2006
5
GNERs tax-efficient schemes

• Computers for Staff
• Bikes for Staff
• Childcare Vouchers

CHOICES -  Winner in   
National Awards 2006
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A successful scheme.

• Cross functional working group
• 3rd party supplier, negotiate cost-free
• Working in partnership
• Market as more than just a financial benefit
• Communicate, Communicate, Communicate
• Good take up essential to capitalise on savings

CHOICES -  Winner in   
National Awards 2006
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Outcome

• Fantastic new benefits, cost free to company
• Additional direct savings of c50k pa
• Indirect savings

CHOICES -  Winner in   
National Awards 2006
8
Hidden extras.

• As a direct consequence of the tax-efficient
  schemes GNER have been able to invest in
• Choices On-Line
• Recognised benefits advertising banner
• Registered staff with REPTA no cost to staff

CHOICES -  Winner in   
National Awards 2006
9
In addition GNER have

• Produced a CD Rom
• Worked with local police to support a Bike
  Tagging scheme
• Formed an excellent relationship with the unions
• And..

CHOICES -  Winner in   
National Awards 2006
10
Given 12 computers to local charities, raising
the profile of GNER and its benefits portfolio
even more
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Summary

• Bikes/Computers/Childcare Vouchers
• 30 of the workforce
• www.gnerchoices.com
• 50k pa additional savings
• Top tips suppliers/involving staff/hidden
  extras

CHOICES -  Winner in   
National Awards 2006