The legal mobility budget with Business & Decision
The legal mobility budget: a complex affair for many. How is implementation progressing? How do users experience it?
We spoke to Tine Vangrunderbeek, Mobility Manager, and Pierre Caeymaex, Data Consultant, of Business & Decision about the roll-out of the legal mobility budget and their experience with this tax advantageous framework.
Who is Business & Decision?
In brief, it is an international CRM and e-business consultancy.
Experts in everything digital & data.
They’re more than happy to look into digital strategies and are ready to innovate alongside their customers.
How does business mobility take shape at Business & Decision?
As true innovators, they were among the first to implement the legal mobility budget. Approximately 170 employees have already joined, 50 of them with a company car in pillar 1. That is one-sixth of their total fleet.
They are even more committed to further reducing their CO2 emissions in 2023. Working from home and electric cars are just some examples of their sustainable mobility policy.
They are also unpacking all pillars of the legal mobility budget this year. Many of their employees have already chosen to spend their budgets on housing costs.
Their only challenge? Current contracts with leasing companies.
Tine: “We find ourselves in the transition years. The Belgian state is calling for electric driving, but our contracts have not yet expired. That is why we also have fuel engines available.”
Watch the full interview here:
What did your mobility policy look like a few years ago?
Tine: “In 2020, we opted for cash-for-car, which was a huge success. After discontinuation in 2021, we looked towards the legal mobility budget.
This is a great project, but it currently deters companies because of its complexity. Especially since it is new.”
What challenges did you encounter in terms of mobility?
“We experienced dissatisfaction from our employees. Some of them used their company car only to a limited extent or not at all, but still faced the associated costs.
Furthermore, we also paid their public transport expenses.
That means that we incurred double costs, while dealing with dissatisfaction. This marked the start of our search for a solution for better mobility.”
What criteria was that solution expected to meet?
“The most important criterion, of course, was the satisfaction of our employees. A reduction in our CO2 emissions also played a role.
We also wanted to avoid increasing red tape at all times. The HR and finance departments already have enough on their plate as it is.
A project like the legal mobility budget should not add to that.”
What advice would you give to other companies who want to use the legal mobility budget?
“First of all, make sure your management is behind your choices. Next, organise a survey within your company to establish the needs of your employees. Are they actually interested in such a mobility budget?
After that, it’s a matter of using the right tools. For me, that means Olympus Mobility.
It is also important to engage an external person to guide you through the whole process. That is how you reduce the burden on HR.
We were able to count on the expertise of Thierry Devresse of My Mobility Budget Butler.
If you do not have the right guidance and tool, implementation will be an administrative nightmare.”
Why did you choose Olympus Mobility?
“Users can consult their budget in real-time every day. Expenses are deducted immediately, including housing costs.
Refunds are made immediately by Olympus Mobility. This means that employees do not have to wait a month for their money.
Also, the administrative cost we saved is almost equal to the work of a half-time employee.
The costs of external coaching and Olympus Mobility are actually not that expensive, by the way. I definitely recommend giving it a listen before setting it aside.”
Tine also states:
“I believe in the legal mobility budget and the applications that guide us in it. Once electric driving becomes more widespread in society, people are increasingly starting to look towards the legal mobility budget.
They will opt more for a smaller car and use the remaining budget for alternative solutions.”
What does an experienced user of the legal mobility budget himself have to say about it?
We spoke to Pierre Caeymaex. As a Data Consultant at Business & Decision, he moves around Brussels by public transport on a daily basis. Or on his electric skateboard. He opted for the train for his holiday in France.
Pierre: “I initially chose the legal mobility budget because you can also use it to pay your rent. But in the end, the many options are the biggest strength of this system.”
“I have been using my budget for a subscription with SNCF since the implementation at Business & Decision, which gives me a discount on my TGV journeys.
I could also afford to use it to pay for my taxi rides, to rent an e-scooter and to purchase an e-bike and skateboard, as well my rental costs.”
Pierre has the following to say about using the Olympus app: “The app supports me in my choice of sustainable mobility.
Moreover, I can also contribute the cost of spare parts and repairs for my bike and skateboard.”
What does the future look like for Business & Decision in terms of mobility?
Tine: “Keep aiming for electric cars. Keep explaining what the mobility budget entails, what options are available and, above all, all the benefits. And keep doing what we have already started!”
Thank you for the pleasant chat, Tine and Pierre!
