7th September 2009
Unum, one of the UK’s leading protection providers, has announced the launch of a free ‘Assistance Programme’ called Unum LifeWorks for all new and existing holders of its individual income protection (IP) policies. The move is designed to help differentiate Unum’s product from other providers of standalone income protection and assist advisers in promoting the benefits of IP to their clients.
The new service is available as of 1st September and, as with the Employee Assistance Programme that comes with its Group IP schemes, will be provided by Ceridian, one of the largest providers of human resource services in the world.
This innovative move means that customers and their immediate family members will gain access to a free 24 hour assistance service, available online and via the telephone. The service includes telephone and face-to-face counselling1, matched referrals for child and elder care and even advice on buying a new home or tips on how to cope with different stages of family life.
Unum’s individual policyholders can also access downloadable pdfs and audio files providing advice on issues ranging from health and wellbeing childcare and self-development to budgeting, and career management.
Linton Penman, Unum’s Head of Retail Sales and Marketing says:
“This support service for Unum income protection clients is designed to help them deal with the pressures and challenges of daily life, especially during the current recession. It offers invaluable support by providing the information they need, whenever they need it, helping to save them time and unnecessary anxiety on a range of everyday issues.
“We offer an extensive service to our customers, which has something to offer whatever a person’s age, family situation, or circumstances.”
Jeremy Campbell, Sales Director at Ceridian, comments:
“In today’s climate, an assistance programme can be an invaluable resource to help manage the competing pressures we face. Traditionally provided through business channels, we are delighted to be working with Unum to open up our services to their individual income protection policy holders. The combination of information and practical support can be accessed in a way that suits the individual enabling them to proactively manage their lifestyles and increase resilience for whatever tomorrow may bring”
The development follows research2 from Unum last year where over half (51%) of all UK workers believed that their work had been impacted over the previous two years due to stresses and worries.
The most common stresses cited by workers were worrying about personal health issues (38% of respondents) or other personal issues (37%), followed by stress due to the cost of living or not being able to pay off debts (32% and 25% respectively).
The research also revealed that work issues and personal issues are likely to have the greatest impact on an employee’s work performance; 72% and 71%, respectively of respondents who admitted that their work had been greatly affected by stresses and worries in the past two years cited these problems. These are followed by stress due to personal health issues (66%) and the cost of living (57%).
For more information, visit Unum’s dedicated adviser website www.unum4advisers.co.uk.
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1 Up to three face-to-face counselling sessions per single issue they wish to discuss
2 Independent research agency ICM interviewed a random sample of 2092 UK adults aged 18+ from its online panel between 22nd-25th August 2008. Surveys were conducted across the country and the results have been weighted to the profile of all UK adults. ICM is a member of the British Polling Council and abides by its rules. Further information at www.icmresearch.co.uk