Swiss Re Expands Staff and Commuter Services at Armonk Headquarters Campus
Westchester Company Implements Programs to Ease Employee Commute
Reinsurance and financial services giant Swiss Re keeps business on target and employees on task with a host of amenities and support services that make business a daily pleasure at its headquarters in Armonk, New York. A cafeteria, sundry store and dry cleaning service are among the services offered on-site, making it possible for employees to take care of many daily needs without ever leaving the corporate campus.
During its corporate move several years ago, Swiss Re put in place a number of transportation services to support employees and improve their commute. The company originally teamed with MetroPool and Westchester County's Smart Commute program during its headquarters relocation, arranging shuttle service from the White Plains transportation center to the new Swiss Re headquarters in Armonk, facilitating carpools and coordinating a roster of services designed to ease the new commute.
Swiss Re employees are also able to save money through participation in Commuter Choice, by paying for public transportation and vanpooling with pre-tax dollars, deducting up to $100 per month of their before tax earnings. The company also subsidizes van shuttles from Queens and the Port Authority and has a guaranteed ride home program for commute alternative users.
When Swiss Re decided to move a substantial portion of its life and health reinsurance operations from its Stamford office to Armonk this year, requiring the relocation of about 200 employees to Armonk and an Information Technology project group of 60 from Armonk to Stamford, Logistics Director Pat Lioi turned again to MetroPool to help make the move as smooth as possible. With most of those relocating from Stamford commuting predominantly from northern Connecticut, it was important to Swiss Re to ease their now-lengthened commute in order to retain as many employees as possible.
MetroPool provided us with guidance when we moved our headquarters," said Ms. Lioi. "We are again tapping their expertise to identify and implement commuter services and to promote programs that will support our employees."
MetroPool is working with Swiss Re to expand the company's commuter mobility program, creating a valuable benefit for both the company and its employees. Not only does MetroPool define alternatives to car commuting, the organization, funded by the Connecticut and New York State Departments of Transportation, also provides companies with consulting services and comprehensive support... free of charge.
For Swiss Re's new divisional relocation, this has meant Transportation Day marketing events, one in Armonk and two in Stamford, to introduce relocating employees to the commuting benefits available to them. Employees learned how to take save money by enrolling in Commuter Choice, and discussed the logistics of vanpooling. As a result, more than 70 people in Stamford signed up for vanpooling. MetroPool will be working with them to organize and customize the vanpools, contributing to a commute-friendly work place.
MetroPool's Regional Manager for Westchester and Putnam counties, Angelo "Butch" Veronesi, said innovations, such as those implemented by Swiss Re, positively effect commuter experiences. "Solutions for commuters are important to Swiss Re," said Mr. Veronesi. "We have worked closely with the company to put in place a program that improves commuting conditions, supporting Swiss Re in its effort to attract and retain qualified employees and to create a productive work environment."
MetroPool provides an important resource for the corporations and employees in the region," added Ms. Lioi. "With their help we have been able to retain many employees, both during our corporate relocation several years ago and now, in this divisional shift. Swiss Re and MetroPool have forged a valuable partnership that has resulted in programs that improve the quality of life for our employees and support the productivity of our organization.
February 2002
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