Apprentices should have access to your employee benefits

Employee benefits, including group risk products, can be a valuable tool in ensuring that staff are treated equally, but apprentices should also have access to the same entitlements, says Group Risk Development (GRiD), the trade body representing the group risk industry.  Employers may not realise that apprentices have to receive fair treatment and equality in terms of paid holiday, sick pay – and benefits. Employers must offer apprentices the same conditions as other employees working at similar grades or in similar roles, and this includes any benefits offered.

(For information on employer responsibilities regarding pay and conditions for apprentices – this is the best resource. https://www.gov.uk/take-on-an-apprentice/pay-and-conditions-for-apprentices )

Employers may not realise that apprentices have to receive fair treatment and equality in terms of paid holiday, sick pay – and benefits.

GRiD points out that, even if an organisation limits who is covered by the financial aspect of group risk products (employer-sponsored life assurance, income protection and critical illness benefits), for example, to a particular level of management – it is often the case that all employees, including apprentices – can access any added-value support services, which can support wellbeing across the entire organisation.

Types of support available via group risk products

Employee assistance programmes (EAPs) are often attached to group risk products and can offer employees access to professional counselling and practical advice and support, on issues such as debt management, relationship problems or health matters. Other extra support available can include fast-track access to mental health first aid and other help in the event of trauma or bereavement.

Katharine Moxham, spokesperson for GRiD, said: “Understandably, an employer may feel like they want to wait until an apprentice qualifies before committing to the expense of benefits, but that is simply not an option under UK law. Organisations would do well to assess what provisions they’ve already made for existing staff that can be easily extended to apprentices at very little or no additional cost, and group risk products can fit the bill perfectly, as they can be some of the most affordable.”

Apprentices need benefits communicated with them

University tuition fees which may stop some from going to university, and a growing understanding among employers about how apprenticeships can really be tailored to benefit an organisation, mean that this type of appointment is only likely to gain in popularity among both potential apprentices and employers. However, for many apprentices, this will be their first real experience of the workplace, and so they need to have benefits communicated to them, as they are less likely to ask the right questions or have the know-how to seek support, should they need it.

National Apprenticeship Week on 5-9 March is a perfect opportunity to open up a dialogue with apprentices

Katharine Moxham concluded: “GRiD research** shows that only a quarter (26 per cent) of organisations make a point of issuing regular communications on their benefits package, National Apprenticeship Week on 5-9 March is a perfect opportunity to open up a dialogue with apprentices about the benefits and support they could be missing out on because they might not know about them. And it makes good business sense: today’s supported apprentices, are tomorrow’s engaged and productive employees.”