Looking to maximize your employee benefits? You’re in the perfect place! We’ll be publishing blogs until the end of the year where Smartum employees share their tips on making the most of your benefits. Whether you’re interested in active workouts, engaging cultural events, relaxing massages, or tasty lunches, your benefits can enhance your daily life. So don’t forget to use them!
In the first part of our blog series, we share insights from two Smartum employees on how to get the most out of your employee benefits and how they personally use their benefits. We interviewed Niina, an expert responsible for partnerships at Smartum, and Meri, who works in the Design team.
Niina has worked at Smartum for several years in various roles and can be considered a true professional in benefit usage. Today, Niina is responsible for our partners, of which Smartum has nearly 40,000. Meri, on the other hand, ensures that the SmartumPay app provides a clear user experience for benefit users.
First, we asked both of them if they take advantage of all the benefits offered by their employer. Their response was a no-brainer: employee benefits are a must! Working in this field certainly keeps them reminded of the perks available, but personal well-being is also high on their list. "Thanks to these benefits, I keep both my body and mind in shape Niina tells." At Smartum, we often say that only the benefits you use truly enhance your well-being.
Niina also highlights Smartum's well-being hours as a fantastic energy booster in daily life. Employees can enjoy a generous 3 hours of weekly work time to invest in their wellness however they wish.
When it comes to employee benefits, Niina's top pick is the commuting perk. "It’s wonderful that the employer pays for my travel, and I can buy my ticket all at once for the whole year!" Niina says with a smile. Meri, on the other hand, is all about the exercise and culture benefit. They give her the chance to try out new activities or attend events, all without spending her own money.
"The benefits have an extremely positive impact and are a fantastic way to support employees. The commuting benefit encourages more regular office visits, while the exercise and culture benefit lead to a more active leisure time, ultimately boosting my well-being," Meri adds.
Are your benefits about to expire, but you're not sure how to use them yet? Check out the Smartum OwnGiftcard! The OwnGiftcard extends the usability of your benefits by an extra 3 months. You can purchase the Smartum OwnGiftcard with exercise, exercise and culture, massage or commute benefits. Read more to find out!
We asked Niina if she plans in advance how she will use her benefits. She doesn’t have a set plan; instead, she uses her benefits as interesting opportunities come up. Theater performances, movies, and exhibitions are particularly suitable options for her.
Meri, on the other hand, meticulously plans ahead. "I know and plan well in advance before receiving my new benefits. Typically, I've already chosen the events for the upcoming year where I'll use my benefits.”
Of course, we also wanted to know Niina and Meri's favorite options for using different benefits.
Niina's List:
Both Niin and Meri are actively using their benefits, but we still asked for recommendations for the situation when the clock is ticking and the benefits are about to expire. "If I have benefits left unused at the end of the year, I buy the OwnGiftcard so that I don’t end up rushing to use my benefits just on anything," both respond. With the Smartum OwnGiftcard, you can get an additional three months of use for your benefits, and it can be purchased with fitness, sports and culture, or massage benefits.
Since Niina and Meri can certainly be considered top professionals in utilizing benefits, we also asked for a usage tip that might not come to everyone’s mind right away.
Niina suggested using cultural benefits for sports events when you’re heading to watch one. A great event would be the Jyväskylä Rally in the summer.
"The best part is the versatile combination of benefits, for example, a city trip to Tampere. A museum visit with cultural benefits and for the evening, you could engage in active fun with exercise benefits, like bouncing in a trampoline park or bowling at a bowling alley," Meri continues.
Enjoy using your benefits!