An employer has reported higher employee retention and morale after integrating cash plans as an employee benefit into the company.
SME TotalMobile in Northern Ireland, with 98 members of staff, said health cash plans were now "instrumental" in attracting and retaining staff, and forms a key part of its recruitment strategy.
TotalMobile's health cash plan includes visits to the dentist, opticians, physiotherapist and chiropractor.
Olga Pollock, HR executive at TotalMobile, said: "In this climate when it's not so easy to give pay increases cash plans are an affordable benefit that employees really value and it's been great for morale.
"Previous initiatives have been limited to certain groups of employees, for example childcare vouchers, but our scheme now ensures that everyone benefits. It also helps us to recruit the best people from the market."
Pollock added that potential employees were increasingly interested in benefits for them and their families and not just in salary.
Howard Hughes, head of employer marketing at cash plan provider Simplyhealth, said health cash plans were often being seen as affordable ways for organisations to reward staff and invest in health and wellbeing.
TotalMobile provides software for the Government, including housing, healthcare and local authorities.
