Commuter benefit communicates company values and supports employee engagement

Different kinds of employee benefits are increasingly important for companies’ employee engagement and satisfaction. The latest benefit at Naantalin Aurinkoinen is the Föli commuter benefit.

Barista and café employee Viivi Leino takes the bus every weekday from Turku city centre to her workplace at the Naantalin Aurinkoinen café in Naantali, Raisio, and back again. 

The news of her employer joining the commuter benefit, meant to encourage the use of public transport by covering some of the cost, was naturally very welcome.

“I was excited to hear about the commuter benefit! We get 25% off when loading the travel card, which means that I’ll save over EUR 13 every month.”

Leino prefers the bus as a means of transport – alongside cycling and walking. For her, the draws of public transport are that it is easy, stress-free and affordable, but also climate-friendly.

“I like to always choose a less-polluting option. It’s nice that many of the Föli buses are powered by electricity nowadays.” 

The commuter benefit makes Leino’s everyday life easier even beyond commuting, because Föli cards entitled to the benefit work as usual during non-commuting trips as well. 

Leino recommends the commuter benefit for anyone who commutes by bus and is a frequent Föli passenger in their daily life.

“The commuter benefit saves me a good amount of money. It has also made me feel that my employer cares about me, that they haven’t forgotten about those of us who take the bus.”

Benefits for everyone

Competition for skilled employees in the labour market is high in many sectors. For many companies, it is vital to hold on to their current employees and ensure that the best talent continues to choose them.

“When competing for employees, different kinds of benefits offered on top of wages are an excellent asset. In fact, offering many kinds of benefits can be crucial for an employee choosing or committing to a workplace”, says Sinikka Martinez, Communications and Marketing Manager at Föli.

“What’s more, the commuter benefit is tax-free, which makes it economically profitable for both employees and employers. It works with a similar principle as employees’ lunch or cultural benefits.”

Joining the commuter benefit scheme is easy, and the benefit can be offered with minimal fuss through partners such as Edenred, Epass and Smartum. 

Companies can individually determine the monthly sum of commuter benefit they offer, or they can cover their employees’ Föli cards in full. 

“The commuter benefit saves employees money, reduces the carbon footprint of commuting and reinforces companies’ responsibility stance and employer image. So, it’s a benefit for everyone.”