A quick summary:
Make your benefits budget work. Cut the admin and boost the impact.
For years, companies have been offering internal wellbeing allowances - small pots of money employees can use for things like gym memberships, apps, or therapy. Sounds like a great idea in theory. But in practice? These schemes are often clunky, confusing, and underused.
It’s time for a better way to support employee health.
Wellbeing allowances: where it falls apart
Whether it’s through payslips or reimbursement, internal wellbeing allowances tend to create more friction than freedom.
Payslip problems
When wellbeing allowances are buried in payslips, employees often don’t realise they exist - or don’t associate them with health and wellbeing. The funds get lost in everyday spending, failing to deliver the impact they were meant to. And even if they are being used as intended, how would you know? There’s no visibility, no tracking, and no way to measure their true value.
Reimbursement headaches
Admin chaos. Policy confusion. Privacy concerns. Reimbursement-based wellbeing creates unnecessary hurdles:
- What qualifies?
- Is this service allowed?
- Do I need a receipt?
- Who will see this claim?
The result? Low uptake, frustrated employees, and HR teams buried in admin. Processing receipts, chasing details, and fielding questions about your policy takes an average of 12 minutes per employee, every month. For a 150 employee company, you're looking at 30 hours of admin just to manage your scheme!
Limited, not liberating
Traditional allowances often come with rigid restrictions—“gym only,” or “mental health only.” They put people in boxes, assuming everyone’s wellbeing journey looks the same. But it doesn’t.
Health is personal. And real wellbeing means flexibility.
Heka is designed for real life
Heka replaces outdated, admin-heavy wellbeing allowances with a platform that’s personal, seamless, and built for results.
94% of employees use Heka at least quarterly.
Compare that to the 30% average gym subsidy usage - and you’ll understand the power of making benefits easy to access, personalised, and enjoyable.
Why Heka?
- Personalised journeysHeka curates health-led options across all areas of wellbeing - so people can pick what matters most, right now.
- Zero admin
No reimbursements. No approvals. No spreadsheet chaos. Heka handles everything, saving you time to work on more important things. - True privacy
Employees explore sensitive benefits - like therapy or fertility support - with complete anonymity. - Future-proof
One benefit hub for all life stages. Heka evolves with your team, so their health and wellbeing support is never out of date.
Demonstrating health and wellbeing ROI
Still using allowances with no visibility? You’re missing key data that shows if your strategy is working. Here’s how Heka customers are seeing clear, measurable returns on their wellbeing investments:
Productivity and engagement
Productivity and engagement are costing UK businesses dearly - an estimated £51 billion is lost each year due to low output and disengaged employees. But the right wellbeing support makes a tangible difference: 83% of employees with access to effective wellbeing resources report being more productive. At Heka, 88% of users actively focus on improving their sleep, diet, and energy - key factors that drive day-to-day performance and help teams thrive.
Absenteeism and presenteeism
Absenteeism and presenteeism continue to drain UK businesses - presenteeism alone (where employees are at work but unwell or disengaged) costs twice as much as absenteeism. With 40% of UK workers feeling stressed every day, it’s clear that traditional approaches aren’t cutting it. Heka users, however, show a different story: 93% report being healthier, and 97% of Heka customers have seen a reduction in sick days and a boost in engagement - proving that targeted, accessible wellbeing support delivers real business impact.
Employee retention
Employee retention is a growing challenge - and an expensive one. Replacing just one employee costs around £30,000 when you factor in recruitment, training, and lost productivity. Burnout and lack of wellbeing support are major drivers of turnover, particularly among younger workers. Companies with strong wellbeing strategies see 23% lower turnover, and Heka customers are seeing the results firsthand: 82% grew their headcount last year, showing that effective wellbeing isn’t just a perk - it’s a powerful tool for attracting and retaining top talent.
Talent attraction
Wellbeing benefits have become a key differentiator in the race for talent. In fact, 94% of employees say they stay longer at companies that prioritise wellbeing. On the flip side, weak or outdated benefits can seriously damage your employer brand, making it harder to attract the right candidates. While companies with internal wellbeing allowances are ahead of the curve, those that formalise and streamline access through a platform like Heka stay truly competitive - making it easier for employees to engage, discover all benefits in one place, and receive personalised support that evolves with their needs. Heka turns wellbeing into a competitive advantage - helping you stand out, strengthen your reputation, and become an employer of choice in a crowded market.
The last Benefit you’ll ever need
Heka doesn’t just solve for today. It future-proofs your entire wellbeing strategy:
- All your current benefits in one platform
- Thousands more, added and updated constantly
- Responsive to trends, employee needs, and market changes
- No procurement needed
It’s wellbeing that evolves - so your people always have what they need to thrive.
Upgrade from allowances. Invest in impact.
Your people don’t belong in boxes. And your benefits budget shouldn’t be wasted in a spreadsheet.
With Heka, you can stop wondering if your wellbeing support is working - and start seeing the results.
Productivity. Engagement. Retention. ROI. Heka delivers, without the admin.
Want to learn how to switch from internal allowances to Heka? Let’s talk.
