Chess’ Bike to Work scheme encourages Chess people to leave their cars at home and cycle to work, reducing harmful carbon emissions caused by unnecessary work travel. On top of that it provides obvious health and cost benefits to Chess people taking up the initiative.
Chess launched the government backed scheme in partnership with local cycle retailer Royles. The scheme enables Chess people to purchase bikes and cycling equipment at up to 50 per cent of the retail value via tax relief and salary sacrifice.
The scheme was implemented as a specific means by which to promote the use of bikes as an alternative mode of transport. Under the government’s Green Transport Plan, substantial investment is also being made to develop and improve local cycling routes in order to make cycling safer and more enjoyable.
The scheme has been hugely popular among Chess people, many of whom live locally to its Alderley Edge head office and enjoy the daily ride to work. For those who live further away, Bike to Work is complemented by the business’ car share scheme whereby Chess people are rewarded with specially allocated parking spaces for sharing lifts.
It is a key part of Chess’ culture to provide a healthy, safe and pleasant place to work. Chess people receive free healthy breakfasts, fruit, mineral water and regular stress relieving massages and enjoy a harmonious working environment based on the principles of Feng Shui. The Bike to Work scheme further adds to these benefits ensuring Chess people are healthy. This is supported by Chess’ sickness figures which are well below the national average.
Chess’ commitment to the health and happiness of its people was recognised recently, when it won the Greater Manchester Employer Coalition’s Health Work Wellbeing Award.
HR Director, Anne Binnie said at the time “We pride ourselves on our innovation and this includes our health and welfare policy. We recognise that our people are our best asset and it is vital they stay happy and healthy. It is part of our vision to create a dynamic, hard-working, energetic place to work that inspires people to give their best. Our health and welfare policy is a key driver to achieving this vision.”