Wellbeing benefit platform

Category: Workplace health initiatives · Reviewed by Al Jabbar, Broker · Specialist Risks · Last reviewed 2026-06-10

A wellbeing benefit platform is an integrated digital portal through which employees can access the employer’s wellbeing offerings — EAP, mental health resources, group PMI, cash plan, financial wellbeing tools, fitness benefits, lifestyle discount programmes and benefit administration. The market has consolidated around several providers including Reward Gateway, Perkbox, Hapi, Vivup and Personal Group, each offering bundled solutions.

Category: Workplace health initiatives Also known as: Wellbeing platform, benefits hub Typical cost: £15–£40 per employee per year Related concepts: Wellbeing benefit, Workplace wellness programme, Lifestyle benefit scheme, Employee assistance programme

Definition

Wellbeing platforms typically combine: (i) communications and engagement; (ii) discount programmes (retail, leisure, gym); (iii) digital wellbeing content (mental health, financial planning, exercise); (iv) reward and recognition tools; (v) access to professional services (counselling, GP); (vi) flexible benefits administration. Some platforms also include benefit selection (where the employer offers flexible benefits).

Legal / Regulatory basis

The platforms themselves are not insurance products and are not FCA-regulated unless they include regulated insurance activities. Personal data handling is regulated by the Data Protection Act 2018 and the UK GDPR. Tax treatment: discount programmes are normally not taxable (they are commercial discounts negotiated by the provider with retailers, not a benefit funded by the employer); EAP and counselling delivered through the platform may not be taxable; subsidised gym memberships delivered through the platform are taxable.

Scope of cover

Modern platforms have a strong mobile / app-first user experience and aim for high employee engagement through gamification, personalisation and behavioural prompts. Engagement (active use rates) varies widely from 20% to 80% depending on platform quality, employer communications and culture.

Practical example

A 250-employee firm implements Reward Gateway as its wellbeing platform at £25 per employee per year. The platform provides access to retail discounts, an EAP, a digital wellbeing library, recognition tools and benefit communications. After 12 months, 65% of employees have created accounts and 40% are monthly active users — strong engagement compared with the platform average.

See also

References

  1. Data Protection Act 2018 — https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2018/12
  2. Income Tax (Earnings and Pensions) Act 2003 — https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2003/1
  3. HMRC, Employment Income Manual — https://www.gov.uk/hmrc-internal-manuals/employment-income-manual
  4. CIPD, Reward and benefits survey 2024

This entry is part of the Apex Insurance Wiki. Last reviewed by Matt Bartlett on 2026-06-10. Next review: 2026-12-10.

Apex Insurance Brokers Limited. Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, FRN 724952. Registered in England and Wales, Companies House 07014570. This entry provides general information about UK insurance concepts and is not regulated advice. Consult your insurance broker on your specific position.

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