Network Rail – the owner and operator of Britain’s railway infrastructure – firmly believes employee benefits play an important role in attracting and retaining talent. Added to this, it values physical activity and wellbeing solutions to help safeguard the health and wellbeing of its 40,000-plus employees.
Last year, Network Rail partnered with Gympass, the UK’s leader in corporate fitness sales, to allow its workforce access to over 2,000 different fitness facilities – from small boutique studios to large leisure centres – across the country at a reduced rate. Its primary concern was to find a solution that combined both physical and mental wellbeing which, in turn, would help support a healthier and happier work-life balance.
“We recognise that many of our employees lead active lifestyles, so Gympass is perfect in allowing them to access multiple gyms and activity centres, not only in their local vicinity but across whole cities and nationally too for when they have to travel for work, “ says Ian Turner, Head of Reward & Benefits at Network Rail. “Gympass broadens the variety of benefits we can offer our employees and enabling access to different gyms at a single price gives our employees choice, flexibility and value for money.”
Network Rail was seeing a steady increase in the number of employees taking advantage of the Gympass offering before the Covid-19 lockdown made a significant impact on everyone’s activity levels. Within a few weeks, however, Network Rail – along with all Gympass corporate partners – was given access to the fast-tracked online Gympass Wellness platform including digital fitness and wellness apps, mental wellbeing and financial health programmes.
“I was very impressed with how quickly Gympass responded to the pandemic and the shutting of gyms due to lockdown,” says Ian. “The Gympass Wellness platform was created and rolled out quickly, initially with a small number of online fitness apps to provide employees with alternative ways to keep active at home during lockdown. They have since added many more online services to the platform to cater for all types of fitness needs. Adding mental and financial wellbeing services to support employees is both welcome and much-needed during the current lockdown.”
Network Rail extended invitations to its staff to join free webinars hosted by Gympass whose expert partner speakers focused on physical, mental and financial wellbeing. Not only did these sessions give immediate insight and support to employees, they also gave valuable insight into Gympass for those people who haven’t yet joined the platform.
As we edge closer to lockdown lifting, Ian remains focused on supporting the wellbeing of employees. “We are getting ready to adapt for when gyms and activity centres open up again,” he says. “As part of our plans, we are greatly reassured that Gympass is there for us to help build confidence and motivation among our employees when it’s safe for them and their families to return to leisure facilities.”