United Kingdom: Why is there no open enrollment or onboarding process for employees?

Many US employers ask about the UK’s open enrollment and “on-boarding” process. There isn’t one, and Asinta Partner Punter Southall Health & Protection explains why.

BENEFITS ARE 100% EMPLOYER FUNDED
“We are quite simple here in the UK. The employer provides benefits to employees that are 100% employer funded. Employees are automatically covered once they begin work,” says Asinta Partner John Dean, Managing Director of Punter Southall Health and Protection. “Therefore the employee has no ‘choice’ over the benefit provided and cannot increase or decrease coverage,” he adds.

EMPLOYEES ARE AUTOMATICALLY ENROLLED
For example if all staff receive 4 x salary life assurance, the employee has no choice to increase or decrease cover and the employer simply adds them to the employee list at renewal. Sometimes the employee may not require a benefit (such as medical or dental) and will simply tell the employer who will remove them from the policy

Some employers do offer ‘flex’ benefits where employees enroll into benefits – but these are rare and generally for larger employers.

NEED ASSISTANCE WITH BENEFITS IN THE UK?
For direct assistance with your UK benefits, Asinta is happy to help you contact Punter Southall Health & Protection.