GREEN TRAVEL
Q: With the annual rise in the cost of public transport coming intoeffect this month I want to start encouraging my employees to use otherways of getting to work. Can you recommend any companies that offerbicycles to large corporate businesses or green travel schemes?
A: Cycle2Work-type schemes have proved extremely popular and are ahealthy and green alternative to driving. In December bike networkcharity Sustrans won the public-voted 50 million lottery prize tocreate the UK's first linked-up cycle scheme by creating a network of'Connect2' routes. The good news is that as many as six million peoplelive within a mile of a proposed Connect2 scheme. It is calculated thatif more than 60 million active, low-carbon journeys are made each yearon Connect2 routes, it will save 79,000 tonnes of carbon entering theatmosphere. See: www.cyclescheme.co.uk. Many suppliers run Cycle2Workschemes, such as Halfords. See: www.cycle2work.info
TAX-EFFICIENT PHONES
Q: I want to give mobile phones as a benefit. Can you suggest a suitableprovider?
A: Last year Vodafone acquired Flexphone, provider of the tax-efficientmobile phone perk Mobile Salary Saver. The three-year scheme Flexphoneoperates allows you to offer your staff mobile phones and receivediscounted deals that are better than high-street prices. As the namesuggets, this benefit is operated through salary sacrifice and, as thecost is taken from employees' gross pay, your organisation saves inNational Insurance contributions. See: www.flexphone.co.uk
HEALTHY CONCERNS
Q: I have a fairly large team and I am very conscious about theimportance of having a motivated workforce. Can you recommend a providerthat can offer me advice on how to keep the workforce upbeat especiallyafter coming back from the Christmas break?
A: Health Matters is an independent organisation specialising inemployee health and wellbeing. It offers solutions to organisations ofall sizes. It has a corporate client base of 400 and aims to helppromote a positive working environment and an overall healthy workforce.You might also try Averil Leimon, founder of White Water Strategies. Shewas recently chosen as one of the UK's top coaches by the Independent onSunday, and has recently been called 'The Queen of Happiness'. See:www.health-matters.co.uk, www.wwstrategies.com
- Tel: 020 8267 4620 or email hr.helpline@Haymarket.com.
