Rising costs dominate our conversations with HR managers and employers

We talk all the time to HR managers and employers, and there is one theme running like a thread that we are hearing loud and clear. 

 

The rise in employers' National Insurance contributions is biting, with significant increase in costs. The 13.8% to 15% rise, in effect this month, is compounded by a secondary threshold reducing from £9,100 to £5,000 per year. 

 

For many SMEs, this means rethinking recruitment plans, adjusting prices, and reassessing investments. We are also hearing increases will add costs, potentially impacting growth and necessitating price hikes. 

 

There is a broader impact of these changes, and according to a survey by the British Chambers of Commerce, 58% of businesses expect the rise to affect recruitment, while 54% anticipate it will influence pricing. 

 

With such pressures mounting, it's essential to focus on what you can control. At Verve Healthcare we remain focussed on helping clients maintain a healthy, happy, and productive workforce. This is needed now more than ever, as businesses focus on maintaining productivity and efficiency as a way of mitigating the effect of risign costs. 

 

A healthier workforce means reduced absenteeism and increased productivity. We've always said investing in employee wellbeing is not just the right thing to do, it also makes sound business sense. 

 

Services like Verve On-Demand offer a pay-as-you-go model, allowing you to provide mental health support, physiotherapy, and private GP services without unnecessary overheads. You only pay for the appointments your staff use, ensuring a no-waste approach to your finances. This flexibility is particularly valuable to help you manage costs while supporting your employees' health. 

 

At Verve Healthcare, we hear and understand the challenges our clients are facing and the difficult decisions they are having to make. All the research shows that focusing on proactive healthcare can reduce sickness absence and keep your team performing at their best and we remain committed to that aim. 

 

If you're looking for ways to manage these new costs while supporting your employees, let's talk. Reach out to us to learn more about how Verve On-Demand can help you build a healthy, happy, and productive workforce.