ZNA

The fact that the Antwerp Hospital Network (ZNA) is established in and around the centre of Antwerp presents opportunities as well as challenges as regards mobility.

"It is our task as employer to help meet these challenges. This is why a partnership with De Lijn is a logical step", says Katleen Rommes, Head of HR Service Desk.

ZNA's HR team supports 6 000 employees each day. All employees, from management to supporting services, address their questions to them. These questions increasingly concern mobility: how can I get to work on time and without stress?

"The traffic jams and parking problems are an issue facing all our establishments in the centre. In Antwerp, you are close to people and this is important. But getting to work and getting home is not always that simple. With all the roadworks over the past year, things have not got any easier. Inevitably, this causes stress to our personnel. Being stuck in a traffic jam every day, not knowing how long it will take and whether there will be anywhere to park when you arrive, all that is stressful. At most ZNA sites in the centre, there are not enough parking spaces for everyone as we always need to keep places free for our patients. Parking your car in the vicinity is expensive. In addition to all the stress, parking charges are a burden for some of our staff".

Commuting is a hot topic at ZNA, also over lunch. "We have noticed that people are more concerned about it nowadays. They wonder whether they really want to get stuck in traffic day in day out, and what possible alternatives there are."

The ZNA HR service desk helps people with these questions. "Everyone who starts working at ZNA comes to see us first. We inform them about all the mobility options and what support ZNA provides for each option. In this way, ZNA really tries to encourage alternative modes of transport (train, tram, bus and bike). Together we search for the best formula. We propose combined travel by bus and bike or tram and car. For doubters, we propose to come by bike in summer and by bus in winter."

This approach works. 14% come by tram or bus. If you include those that opt for combined mobility (bus or tram combined with car or bike), the figure is as high as 17%.

"For De Lijn and NMBS, we run a pre-payment scheme. For instance, for De Lijn season tickets we bear 80% of the cost. Everyone benefits. For the employee there is a major expense that disappears. They don't even have to advance it and they can use their season ticket everywhere and at all times. For us as the employer, the cost of a season ticket is less than parking charges in town. Moreover, the pre-payment scheme is a true administrative blessing for us."

In total, 1020 people arrive at work at ZNA by tram or bus every day. Truly a figure to be proud of. "This is a substantial number, especially if you bear in mind that we work in shifts. We are open 24/7. Consequently, public transport is certainly not an option for all our staff."

Katleen herself comes to work by bike, and she is certainly not alone. As many as 31% of personnel come by bike. That's nearly 2 000 people who jump on their bikes every day.

Of course we encourage people to come by bike. All ZNA sites have showers and dressing rooms. People can get discounts at a number of local bike shops through the staff association. Those who come to work by e-bike can now simply charge their bike on-site at ZNA Middelheim, Elisabeth and Jan Palfijn."

Moreover, there are campaigns and pilot projects to encourage people and motivate them to use alternatives. "Last year, employees were given two weeks to try out an e-bike, folding bike or delivery bike at work through a partnership with Slim naar Antwerpen (Smart Ways to Antwerp). This has brought the alternatives closer to the people. We also distributed De Lijn day passes and Vélo maps. All these initiatives encourage people to think about their choices, which is exactly what we intended."

"Why do we make this effort to offer alternatives? There are many reasons. We believe that this is the future. And because this approach is a good move towards a better environment. There are also organisational advantages: people who come by bus, tram, train or bike do not need a parking space, which because of our location is an added benefit. It is quite simply a logical choice".

"And what is also not unimportant is that it makes for satisfied workers. The more people arrive at work without stress, the better. Arriving at work relaxed and on time is a good start of the day. In this way, we get happy colleagues and happy clients. Some of our people work in shifts. Therefore, they do not have flexible working hours: arriving half an hour late because you were stuck in traffic or could not find a place to park is a real problem. There are colleagues and patients waiting for you. We therefore stand to gain when our people get to work easily, safely and without stress: a win-win formula".

• Pre-payment scheme: cost-saving and easy for employees

• Season tickets are valid everywhere and at all times

• Good contact with the De Lijn client manager

ZNA receives 5 000 patients a day spread across its network which comprises three general hospitals, six specialised hospitals, two medical centres and a care home, making it the leading care provider in Flanders.

Visit ZNA at https://www.zna.be

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