Unite ask AXA Insurance to help reduce commuting costs…
Since January this year the price of a litre of petrol has increased by 41% (a 62% since this time last year). This has an obvious major impact on the commuting costs of employees who have to drive to work
Obviously the price of petrol is not within AXA‘s purview to change, however it can help employees by reducing the need of employees to use petrol to drive to work.
If the pandemic proved anything, it was that AXA employees can efficiently work from home without any major drop off in customer service. Consequently we have asked AXA Insurance to revisit its requirement, in a number of business areas, that staff must attend the office two or three times a week. We have suggested that for the next three months attendance in the office is completely voluntary to help employees manage their expenditure on petrol.
Additionally we believe that over the summer period this will help with employee mental health by increasing the amount of time staff have at home (not sat in a car) as well as go some way to help the AXA Group’s stated desire to reduce the amount of carbon employee commuting contributes to global warming.
We will update you once we have a response from the company.
Anon Said,
July 4, 2022 @ 1:36 pm
This would be a big help. I still struggle to see why we need an arbitrary number of days in the office when hardly anyone is in and most things are dealt with over teams.
Georgia Said,
July 4, 2022 @ 4:39 pm
I agree that we should only be coming into the office on a voluntary basis. Works for some but not everyone.
When i work in the office is it no different to at home as my team are spread out and not all in the same days.
Paying for multiple trains a week for no reason.
Carl Said,
July 4, 2022 @ 8:02 pm
I think it would be extremely beneficial for AXA to allow their staff to work from home during these austere times and remove the requirement to go to the office. It will help staff reduce expenses. (I come into the office twice a week but that still costs me £16 a week and was £12 a few months ago!) Plus there is the benefit for AXA of cutting down on the carbon footprint by not having the staff travel into and out of the office.
Anom Said,
July 5, 2022 @ 8:11 am
I agreee we should only come in the office voluntary basis . As long as no issues re productivity . Saves on money for desil and time .
ANON Said,
July 5, 2022 @ 11:16 am
I work far better at home and can manage my work/life balance much easier. The cost of living is continuing to rise and it is getting more and more difficult to have money at the end of each month. It has really taken a toll on my own mental health being back in the office.
Anon Said,
July 5, 2022 @ 12:50 pm
I moved 30 mins away in May last year when it was suggested we would be working from home on a more permanent basis. Now needing to be in a certain number of days a week, with the massive increase in petrol prices is leaving me struggling almost 2 weeks into the pay period.
darren Said,
July 5, 2022 @ 2:33 pm
I think that we should only go to the office for 121 meetings as we have the full equipment at home as long as we are doing our job and productivity is not an issue i feel there is no need to attend the office.
i think the office is beneficial to new starters for training but once trained work from home
Anon Said,
July 5, 2022 @ 2:34 pm
Allowing us to work in office when we choose would be a good idea or allocating a parking fee/petrol allowance to tackle financial pressures. However the company could go much further and look at the bigger picture and increase pay across the board to something that is at least comfortable to relieve pressure on people. This is a multi million pound company who post hefty profits every year, they can absolutely afford to increase wages. We dedicate a lot of time to AXA (too much on full time contracts) we deserve to be paid a decent wage that is somewhat in line with inflation surely?
Lisa Smith Said,
July 5, 2022 @ 4:58 pm
I think we underestimate how much value we get from our days in the office. I love WFH but also realise the absolute benefit I get from being in the office a few days per week, seeing my team & colleagues, supporting each other, having face to face contact & meetings as well as the positive impact on my mental health seeing my friends in the office. I also appreciated the good pay rises we had in 2022 assisting towards my cost of living.
Jessica Arris-Togher Said,
July 6, 2022 @ 12:45 pm
I believe this will be detrimental to team collaboration, and will actually have a negative affect on mental health, having at least one day in the office for training coaching, collaboration and bonding as a team has a positive impact on team performance and overall morale. Making it completely voluntary will mean that if you do come into the office it is likely your team wont be in rendering it pointless.
Unite in Aviva Said,
July 6, 2022 @ 1:14 pm
Here in Aviva we stand by your request and are doing the same here for our members.
Anon Said,
July 6, 2022 @ 6:22 pm
Whilst I appreciate there is support for both , it’s worth noting that the defending comments are by higher paid employees. They are not in the same boat as the lowest paid within the company.
For training yes I agree it should be office based.
In theory the only reason management want people in the office is to show their jobs are not obsolete.
For 2 years your workers have adapted, they have self managed without the need to be watched or emailed every two seconds.
This is reflected within the profit of axa and whilst the pay rise has been welcomed this is instantly cancelled out with the increased costs of travel.
It is time they were shown the appreciation that they deserve, If every handler walked off the job tomorrow I’m guessing axa would re consider.
Alternatively as they have just spent alot on a disastourous refurbishment provide your workers with an expenses account so they can claim back the amount , which is so readily offered to higher levels.
Lisa Said,
July 11, 2022 @ 2:49 pm
Absolutely agree!
I have to come into the office on my team day and there is only 2 or 3 people in.
I also work in the office every other Saturday, this is due to financial issues as I don’t have the same costs to get to the office that day. None of my team are in on Saturdays.
Other departments have only just moved from office based once a month to once a week, really not seeing the point as it is not benefitting my wellbeing and definitely not my bank balance!