Incisive launches YouChoose package

Incisive Media - which publishes more than 100 print titles including Professional Pensions -launched YouChoose to staff in February.

The firm - which also produces almost 500 conferences and runs more than 100 online properties - said YouChoose was launched because the firm was keen to provide employees with a wider selection of benefits in the most efficient way possible and to make the most of income tax and National Insurance savings available through salary sacrifice.

Employees can opt for a umber of benefits through salary sacrifice including a group personal pension, childcare vouchers, private medical insurance, gym membership and travel insurance.

Salary sacrifice is an agreement between an employee and their employer where the employee agrees to give up some of their cash benefit - their salary - in return for a non-cash benefit.

Incisive Media group HR director Stuart McLean said employee response had been "exceptional".

He told PP: "Our aim was to offer a range of benefits that would be of practical interest to our people. Also to drive down the cost through our ability to bulk buy products and where appropriate, use salary sacrifice to take advantage of income tax and NI savings.

"The interest in YouChoose has been exceptional and the response has exceeded our expectations."

Other benefits on offer include a cycle-to-work scheme, critical illness cover, health screening and dental insurance. Employees can also choose to opt into a retail discount voucher scheme and a give-as-you earn charity giving scheme which are not part of salary sacrifice.

The package was put together with the help of the company's employee benefit advisers Truestone.