School’s out the summer is shining and quarter of the desks around me are already empty. It may be holiday season but at this quiet time for many, there is plenty that can be done over the next six weeks to keep your employee benefits and reward relevant and fresh.

1)      Don’t stop communicating through the holidays – at this time of year when there is less pressure around in the day-to-day, employees may have more time to think about whether they are making the most of their employee benefits. Remind them what you offer and suggest they use the summer weeks to do a benefits health check. Also, talk to them about specific benefits which can help through the holidays. For instance, many parents don’t know childcare vouchers can be used in Oftsed-registered summer camps.

2)      Refresh your benefits comms calendar –  Now is a great opportunity to look at how you can freshen up your communications by taking advantage of awareness weeks and the big diary events between now and the end of the year. Back to school is a great opportunity to target working parents with the support you give while campaigning weeks like eyecare week in September give you the change to promote specific benefits. Plan these now to increase engagement with your benefits proposition.

3)      Plan your end of year reward – I know it isn’t even August yet but with time on your side, now is a great time to make sure you have your plans in place for your reward and recognition at Christmas time. Thinking about it now means you explore new opportunities such as digital gift cards and personalised reward which will ensure everything you do has maximum positive impact.

4)      Get in shape for 2015 – We’re half way through the year and a lot has changed since the begging of the year: a more buoyant economy, new plans for childcare vouchers and the ongoing impact of auto-enrolment. Now is the time to start reviewing what is working in 2014 and what you will need to change in 2015.

If I had to boil this down to one message it would be to take some time to reflect and try to get ahead for the remainder of the year. It’s an investment which will pay off when the frenetic times return at the end of August.

Andy Philpott is sales and marketing director at Edenred – follow him on twitter @andy_philpott and read more insight at www.edenred.co.uk/ehub