One immediate concern is the increase in the employer NICs rate from 13.8% to 15%, coupled with a reduced threshold of £5,000 per employee per year starting in April 2025. While these measures aim to repair public finances, they pose added financial strain for companies, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) or large companies with high volumes of lower-paid staff. Employers are now tasked with determining how to allocate resources effectively, ensuring they remain competitive in the labour market while managing operational costs.
In this context, investing in impactful yet cost-efficient benefits, such as fitness and wellbeing programs, becomes a priority. Forward-thinking businesses are seeking solutions that enhance employee satisfaction without significantly adding to the financial burden.
Let’s do the maths:
- The average UK Salary is approximately £35,040 per year
- Prior to the recent changes, the average NICs contribution would be: 13.8% of earnings above £9,100 = £3,580
- Subsequent to these changes, the new NICs contribution is 15% of earnings above £5,000 = £4,506
- This represents an average increase in employer NICs of £926 per employee annually
For a business with 100 employees, this would result in an additional £92,600 in annual costs.
Keep reading to discover how investing in cost-efficient employee fitness and wellbeing benefits can offset these rising expenses while improving productivity and staff morale.
What the new budget means for businesses
The 2024 budget’s new tax policies are a reminder of the growing cost of employment. Here’s a breakdown of the direct financial implications for businesses:
- Increased NICs: The hike in employer NICs adds to payroll costs, disproportionately affecting labor-heavy industries.
- Lower NIC Threshold: With the reduced threshold, companies will pay NICs on a larger portion of employees’ wages, even for lower-paid workers.
- Broader Implications: Rising taxes on Capital Gains and changes in reliefs for retail and hospitality sectors further strain company finances.
These changes leave businesses with tighter profit margins, forcing many to rethink growth plans, hiring strategies, and benefits offerings.
What response have we seen?
Recent conversations with benefits specialists across the UK reveal the real-life challenges that businesses are facing. Here is some of the feedback that we’ve received:
“A number of individuals have said that they’ve had to go for a cheap benefits option. Although it didn’t meet their requirements like Hussle does, they had no other choice. More commonly, I’ve heard clients say, they are pushing benefits review back for next quarter, which delays important decisions. Staff are becoming increasingly frustrated as promised fitness incentives remain undelivered, impacting morale.”
Others have indicated that benefits offer an affordable option to support employee wellbeing:
“Clients are reviewing their benefits to ensure they’re being used adequately. This makes Hussle’s employee fitness benefits an excellent option because businesses are only charged for what their staff use. Companies are also pausing pay rises, which makes cost-effective benefits like ours an attractive alternative for boosting employee morale.”
Commenting more widely on the experiences we at Hussle have seen, Director of Business Development, Matt Hatcher said:
“My team and I have seen, first-hand, the impact of the recent government budget on buying decisions for employee wellbeing benefits. Due to the increased cost to employers, especially around NICs and minimum wage increases, some employers are delaying what is becoming a more and more vital investment into workplace wellness initiatives.
Due to the obvious impact that a highly accessible, flexible and affordable fitness benefit like Hussle has on employee wellbeing and productivity, and overall business performance, we really encourage companies to act quickly or risk devastating impacts on employee morale.”
How this affects staff morale and financial security
The ripple effects of higher employment costs are obvious. Delays in pay increases, constrained hiring, and budget cuts often translate into decreased morale and engagement among employees. Financial stress, coupled with concerns about job security, can reduce trust and productivity, leading to higher attrition rates.
This makes it important for businesses to address employee concerns proactively. Investing in benefits that support mental, physical, and financial wellbeing is a practical way to mitigate these challenges. Programs that encourage fitness and stress relief can boost morale, while flexible, affordable benefits can help employees feel valued despite external pressures.
How Hussle can help
The UK economy loses a staggering £138 billion annually due to poor employee health, with employees missing an average of 6.1 days from formal absences and an additional 43.6 days to presenteeism. When we break the numbers down, we see that the annual cost of lost productivity is £4771 per employee in the UK (based on the average salary of £35,040).
The link between fitness and workplace productivity is clear: regular exercise not only reduces the risk of depression by 30% but also improves stress management by 46% and boosts productivity by 30%. For businesses, this translates into tangible financial gains. Companies save £1,256 in lost productivity costs per employee annually and reclaim 13 extra productive days. That’s more than enough to offset those increased NICs.
With this information, employers need to acknowledge that finding cost-effective ways to enhance employee wellbeing is more critical than ever. This is where Hussle’s flexible, scalable employee fitness benefits provide a win-win, promoting healthier lifestyles while supporting financial wellbeing for both employees and employers.
Hussle’s employee benefits solution offers a compelling way to navigate these challenges:
- Affordable Access: With flexible access to fitness venues across the UK, Hussle’s programs provide tangible value to employees without imposing high costs on employers.
- Boosts Morale: Regular exercise is scientifically linked to reduced stress and improved mood. A company-supported fitness program demonstrates care for employee wellbeing, encouraging loyalty and engagement.
- Supports Financial Wellbeing: Financial stress is a growing concern in the workplace, with 34% of employees reporting that money issues in the past year have had a major impact on their mental health. By offering fitness benefits as part of a comprehensive wellbeing package, employers can address employees’ financial concerns. Employees unlock huge savings on their gym memberships while enjoying flexible fitness options.
- Cost-Effective for Employers: Hussle’s scalability ensures businesses of any size can afford to implement a fitness program, making it a practical solution during financially challenging times.
It’s time to take positive action
While the 2024 Autumn Budget does represent financial challenges ahead for UK businesses, it also presents an opportunity for companies to rethink their approach to employee benefits.
By focusing on affordable, high-impact solutions like Hussle’s employee fitness benefits, businesses can combat declining morale, support employee wellbeing, and position themselves as resilient, forward-thinking employers. Balancing fiscal responsibility with employee satisfaction will not only help businesses weather the storm but also emerge stronger in the competitive labour market.
