| People's: Improving Traffic Conditions and Employees' Quality of Life
The largest state-chartered bank in Connecticut takes a deeply personal view on the well-being of its employees, so much so that the company has set as its mission becoming Connecticut's workplace of choice. People's Bank, headquartered in Bridgeport, offers a long menu of benefits that attest to its commitment to its employees, from flexible work schedules and telecommuting to goal-oriented incentive programs that reward workers for hard work and good ideas.
Recognizing that improving an employee's commuting experience is part of an overall corporate strategy for productivity, People's recently teamed with MetroPool to improve the commute for employees and to expand the company's transportation-oriented benefit offerings.
Many People's Bank employees already belong to the company's Commuter Club. Club members receive $1 per day when two employees commute together and $1.50 per day when three or more employees ride together.
"Not only do Commuter Club members earn money by traveling to and from work together, they also save money in reduced gasoline purchases and lower maintenance expenses on their vehicles," explained Kenneth Innocenzi, Manager, Transaction Processing Services for People's. "Perhaps the greatest benefit, though, is not in the financial gains, but in the companionship people discover when they commute together."
The impact of reducing the number of employees who commute in single occupant vehicles can be significant, particularly to a company such as People's, whose Bridgeport headquarter offices alone are staffed by approximately 1900 people. Commuter Club membership currently numbers 354 - and that's just for carpooling. People's also subsidizes those who opt to commute via train or bus, adding 459 more employees to the ranks of those opting for an alternative commute.
According to Mr. Innocenzi, these statistics are just a beginning. People's is working with MetroPool to develop an expanded employee commute program to encourage participation by even more than the current 813 People's employees who now travel to work by carpool, train or bus.
"MetroPool is helping us plan a more comprehensive commuter mobility program by providing access to the full range of subsidized opportunities that are available to corporate employers in the region," said Mr. Innocenzi. "What is remarkable is that MetroPool's services are free to employers."
While People's seeks ways to improve its employees' travel experience to and from work, the company also views the commuter mobility program as part of its contribution as a Connecticut corporate citizen.
"People's primary market is Fairfield County, where more than half of the households have a relationship with the bank. Statewide, more than 25 percent of households have relationships with People's," said Hank Mandel, executive vice president, Organization Effectiveness. "We are an integral part of the Connecticut community, in serving individuals and in having a significant impact on the communities we serve as a leader in community lending projects and as a major employer. Reducing ride-alone commuting is a good idea for People's, for its employees and for its communities."
"Improving mobility and reducing single-occupant vehicles are among the most significant ways corporate citizens can impact the quality of life in this region," said John Lyons, MetroPool President. "MetroPool works with companies to create packages that help employers attract and retain employees, improve productivity and boost their bottom line."
Roseanne Sumers, recently appointed regional manager for MetroPool's Greater Bridgeport region, is heading the team that is working with People's, and other eastern Fairfield County employers, to improve the commuting employee's experience.
"Mobility matters to the economic vitality of the region," added John Lyons. "In partnership with companies such as People's, and their employees, MetroPool generates mobility solutions that improve the quality of life in Fairfield County and the Hudson Valley region of New York."
People's (www.peoples.com) is a diversified financial services company providing consumer and commercial banking, residential lending, insurance sales, supermarket banking and investment services and is the nation's 15th largest issuer of MasterCard and Visa credit cards. Founded in 1842, it is the largest state chartered bank in Connecticut with managed assets of $13 billion, 148 branches and 220 ATMs. People's subsidiaries, including People's Securities, Inc., People's Capital and Leasing Corp. and Olson Mobeck & Associates, Inc. offer discount brokerage services, asset management, equipment financing and leasing and insurance services.
May 2002
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