Employees at one of the UK’s leading pub companies, Punch Taverns, are reaping the rewards of an industry leading benefits package.

Burton-based Punch employs more than 500 support staff across the UK and recently won a national ProShare award for its employee Share Incentive Plan. 

Now the pubco, which leases more than 7,800 pubs across the UK, has just launched a new benefits package.  Products include a Dental Insurance Scheme, Cash for Colleagues, childcare vouchers and holiday offers. 

In addition, Punch has also introduced an Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) – a confidential counselling service.  EAP is available to all Punch employees and their families, providing free practical and emotional support on issues ranging from financial matters to personal disputes.

HR manager Alison Cooke said: “Benefits are just part of our overall review of our people strategy. Punch is keen to be an employer of choice and to attract and retain the very best employees. We believe our new benefits package helps to set us apart from other employers in the local area.”

The Cash for Colleagues scheme can see Punch staff receive £500 for introducing people to the company. 

“As our business grows, so does our need to recruit talented people who can add that ‘extra something’,” Alison explained.

She added: “One of the most effective and efficient methods of recruitment is through recommendation and we are now giving £250 for every successful applicant that has come via this initiative.  And when they have been with us for six months we give an additional £250.”

A large proportion of Punch’s workforce has young families and to help ease the burden of childcare costs the company has signed up to a government scheme where employees can save up to £1,066 per year.

Punch also recognises the need for a work life balance and has teamed up with Harvey World Travel offering exclusive discounts on holidays, car rentals and commission free currency.

Other optional schemes include the National Dental Plan (NDP), which provides access to lower cost dental insurance and Bringme, a wide-ranging benefits package from Lloyds TSB, with offers on health and beauty products, home entertainment, days out and electrical goods as well as financial products.

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