Adidas launches voluntary benefits scheme

Adidas has launched a voluntary benefits scheme to align its UK and Irish benefits packages under one platform for its 1,200 employees.

The scheme, which was rolled out in November 2010, had an initial 500 log-ins which has doubled in the weeks since.

Carol Bryson, HR manager operations and compensations and benefits manager at Adidas Group Market North, said: “Some information was already on the intranet but we wanted a platform that could hold all our employee benefits.”

The voluntary benefits scheme is available in both a booklet and online, which makes it easier for the 700 employees in Adidas’ retail stores and distribution centre to access it.

Called Adi Extras, the scheme brings together core benefits such as a pension scheme, holiday entitlement, long-service awards, life assurance and private medical insurance, with salary sacrifice arrangements like childcare vouchers and bikes for work.

It also includes a new discounts scheme with access to vouchers for travel, leisure, motoring and retail, as well as the organisation’s recognition scheme Crÿme. Another addition is Lift Share, a green initiative where employees can log in their own details and find colleagues to car share with.

Bryson added: “The Adi Extras site gives a lot of information about all the benefits. For instance, if staff choose the pension they can see all the details of the Adidas pension scheme, what the contribution rates are, a link to provider Black Rock’s website, and an application form.”

Communications around the new scheme included a teaser email, posters in the retail outlets and distribution centre, and screensavers on all the organisation’s laptops and computers. Adidas’ benefits team will also be promoting a particular benefit each month.

Bryson added: “Around June and July we will promote bikes for work and around Christmas we will remind staff about the online discount scheme.”

Through a ticker across the benefits website, it has also tailored communications around government legislations including the changes around childcare vouchers coming in April for higher-rate taxpayers.

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“It is all about managing our work-life balance,” said Bryson. “We are conscious about the pressures on our employees’ time so we want to make sure they know what the benefits are.”

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