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The UK and Ireland arm of global information technology (IT) organisation Fujitsu is focused on tailoring its benefits package to meet the needs of both its employees and the business.
Paula Evans, head of pensions and benefits, UK and Ireland at Fujitsu, says: "Our leadership team gives us really clear direction on how we achieve through our employees. We have a clear focus around employees, customers and results. If we are delivering in those spaces, and if we are looking after our employees, the business will do well."
David Brackwell, head of wellbeing and inclusion, UK and Ireland at Fujitsu, adds: "There is a recognition that our benefits and our policies need to match up with what people need. If we are responsive to people's needs, then that will play back into performance."
This philosophy is evident in two new programmes that Fujitsu has introduced this year. The first is a new phased approach to retirement, which allows employees to reduce their working hours for a small reduction in pay.
Evans adds: "It creates a bridge for them to think about what they want to do next in life, whether that is focusing on hobbies or leisure time. It also enables us to reinvest in bringing new people into the business, so it helps us from a succession-planning point of view."
Fujitsu's other new policy is around flexible working. Staff can now take up to four weeks' unpaid leave a year to manage their caring responsibilities. Brackwell says: "One thing that is becoming an increasing challenge for people is caring responsibilities. People are often presented with childcare and eldercare problems, and it becomes a real issue."
These new programmes trace back to the organisation's aim of being people-focused, placing its employees at the heart of everything it does.
"We need benefits that are aligned with that," says Evans. "That really enables our employees to be successful, because they are not worrying about things they do not need to worry about.
"We have a good benefits package that covers all the essentials for staff, but we're also enabling them to choose other benefits, to really support their health and wellbeing, and life within our organisation."
Flexible benefits scheme
Employee choice is delivered through Fujitsu's flexible...