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How difficult is it for the employer to set up the cycle to work scheme?
My HR department is being incredibly slack and won’t get round to setting it up saying it’s too much work and not a priority. I want us to use cyclescheme.co.uk (to support my friendly LBS) and just wondered how much work is involved for the employer, from what I can see it’s a negligible amount. There's about 100 employees and probably 15-20 will take it up if that makes a difference.
Any employers out there who’ve been through it and can give me a quick rundown of what’s involved?
Thanks
Hi, I believe it is not to much hasstle to do as from the bike shop side it is a piece of cake. If you want to use your LBS make sure your employer signs upto the scheme they are using and not the Halfords own one. I think it is a good idea but unfortunatly does not work for everyone as it is really down to your employer if they sign up and I know of dozens of people who could not get the scheme. Personally I would prefer to see VAT removed from cycles and accessories because of the green transport / keep fit aspect of the sport. Also be aware that you do not actually own the bike at the end of the year although I have not heard of any bad feedback because of this as yet? The best way to support your local shop though would be to just go and buy the bike you would like as through the scheme they will loose 10% of the value of the bike to the scheme opperators!
I run the cycle to work scheme for CycleSurgery - Really it depends how the company want to run a scheme - if they want to do it themselves it can be a bit of a pain. if you go through a facilitator (such as us ;-)) then we take care of all the admin type stuff. Basically, the things an employer has to do when using our scheme is:
1 approve application of employee wanting to join the scheme (2 minutes)
2 pay the invoice from the bike company (give to account dept)
3 adjust employees pay as per the amount they have reuqested
4 give voucher to employee when we send it to them
5 take fair market value payment off employee at end of term
bearing in mind that they also make a 12.8% saving on any salary sacrificed, it's really not a bad deal for any company joining the scheme.
mail me : james dot robertson at cyclesurgery dot com
I'll be happy to speak to your HR manager to explain if you like.