(Solution) 5HR03 Question 5. AC 2.3 Explain the merits of the different benefits offered by Mercy Frontier

Solution

Annual leave increasing with service

Merits: Loyalty Creates Recovery – one bonus day per year for a maximum of five years. Paid leave is a much appreciated benefit (CIPD, 2025b) and could enable attendance in challenging humanitarian jobs. Also, the rule is predictable and easy to administer and thus promotes uniformity among the workforce. It makes continued service worth while and can lead to retention.

Four paid religious-festival days

Merits: A designated festival leave week allows the charity to give its faith identity some meaning and to reinforce belonging for staff celebrating those festivals. There is a link between religious identity and wellbeing at work and relationships (Héliot et al., 2020) and respectful implementation can help to reinforce culture. Additionally, paid observance makes employees ineligible to use their annual leave for festivals that have been declared. So Mercy Frontier will provide a more flexible alternative that does not disadvantage learners with dignity, equality and inclusion.

Healthcare plan

Merits: Provision of Dental, optical, musculoskeletal and prescription cover helps to treat people earlier and may help to minimise avoidable absence. Additionally, generous limits feelings people as safe and increase their beliefs that the job supports them. When combined with sound management benefits can help to support retention but should be evaluated individually for take-up, employee need and cost for each job role at Mercy Frontier before being extended (Bryant and Allen 2013).

Enhanced sick pay and family-related pay

Merits: Improved sick pay allows the time to heal without working. There is a correlation between paid sick leave and use of preventive care (DeRigne et al., 2017) also Acas confirms (Acas, 2025b)…..

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