With a highly skilled workforce ‘Impact Applications’ relies on attracting, recruiting and retaining talented and motivated staff in order to maintain a competitive edge. Business Development Manager, Peter Jaworski and Office Manager, Mandy Ellis both understand that it takes more than a high salary to make staff feel valued.

“Our business is what it is because of our people,” said Mandy Ellis. “It’s very important, as our duty of care, that our staff feel supported” Peter Jaworski agrees and adds: “We recognise that we need to do things to care for our employees”.

One of the most important employee benefits they identified to help achieve this was to find and implement a company-paid corporate health cash plan.

Founded in 2000, Impact Applications, based at Wolverhampton Science Park, specialises in writing web-based maintenance and repair software applications for the social housing sector. Clients include; local authorities, Arms Length Management Organisations (ALMOs), housing associations, other registered providers and private contractors.

With 26 employees ranging in age from 23-55 years – Impact Applications’ in-house skilled workforce includes developers, project managers, account managers, support analysts, business analysts, sales and admin staff.

The business is very successful and is currently enjoying considerable sustained growth with a healthy forecast for the foreseeable future.

The company’s first attempt was less than successful. “Initially we had a private health scheme but no one was using it. A couple of our people had previously used a corporate health cash plan from Paycare and the directors decided it would be better to replace the private health scheme with a company-paid scheme,” explained Peter Jaworski.

“So we looked around the corporate health plan market and we were naturally drawn to Paycare, especially as they are local. We studied what was offered and concluded it was a good deal for us and the plan supported our commitment to our ‘duty of care’ for our employees.

“Paycare had also been recommended to the company by the University of Wolverhampton, where Impact Applications’ MD and I had worked previously,” said Peter. After discussions with Paycare’s corporate sales team, the 4Work plan was selected.

“Unlike our previous private health scheme, we knew that our staff would use Paycare extensively, because it offers the day to day health support we all need. We were sure they would all benefit from the service, And so it proved to be,” explained Peter.

“As a Software company many of our staff are looking at computer screens for long periods and so need frequent eye examinations. Many of us need spectacles and contact lenses. The Paycare plan is ideal for our staff and allows them to claim for eye tests, spectacles and a whole lot more,” explained Peter.

Mandy Ellis observed: “From an HR point of view I see the Paycare Plan could also be very valuable in that any of our staff could, if they found it beneficial, call on counselling services and support. It also offers occupational therapy services such as reflexology, which can help with any stress related issues.

“The response from our staff has been very positive. They are pleased with the Paycare Service and have told us that it is very valuable to them. Many companies do not offer this sort of benefit so it is highly valued.”

“Our employees are enroled onto the plan after successfully completing their probation period. They are also offered an option, should they choose to subscribe, to bring in family and friends into the plan.

Administration for us is very simple and efficient and the people on the end of the line at Paycare are very efficient. I have had no issues with the service.

“Communication with Paycare is brilliant and in summary I would say, their health plans are quick, easy, valuable and very beneficial,” explained Mandy.

Peter also comments on another business-related advantage: “The claims process is very straightforward and the speed, at which claims are paid, is quite frankly, very good. Compared to what we pay in, what we get out of the plan is excellent. The Paycare plan is very effective, as long as you use it!