How Semetis implemented the mobility budget?

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Semetis is the Belgian market leader in Digital Advertising & Digital Business Intelligence. The company was created in 2009 by two former executives of Google. From the start, employee well being has been an important element to attract and retain talent. To ensure employee happiness and wellbeing, Alisson joined Semetis as Happiness Manager in 2019.

The challenge: offer a flexible mobility plan tailored to each employee

Having a company car used to be one of the most prestigious compensation benefits. But mobility needs are changing. Some of the new-joiners don't even have a driving license. So Semetis recently realized the company car is no longer the most desired salary benefit anymore. Employees want flexibility. My goal is to be present, maintain the team’s cohesion and boost everyone’s productivity by providing the best work environment and employee benefits possible.

“During the COVID-19 pandemic, like all other companies, 100% of our employees worked from home. At that time, it became clear to us that we needed to start looking into more flexible options. And create a flexible mobility plan that fits the needs of all employees. That’s when we contacted Mbrella.”

The solution: the implementation of the mobility budget and an easy-to-use budget management platform

Semetis implemented the mobility budget. Instead of the traditional company car, employees receive a budget they can spend on +100 mobility options. Employees who live close to the office (max. 10km) or work from home more than 51% can choose to pay their rent or capital on their mortgage with the mobility budget. This interesting salary optimization is what convinced Semetis to offer a mobility budget. One of the main reasons why companies struggle to move towards flexible mobility? The follow-up has a higher administrative workload for the HR-manager than the car. Also for Semetis this was a barrier to offer a mobility budget.

“As much as employee wellbeing is central, we were also looking for a solution that wouldn’t drastically increase the workload of the team. That’s why we chose to work with Mbrella. They are the only HR platform for mobility management that is directly connected with our payroll.”

During the COVID-19 pandemic, 100% of our employees worked from home. It became clear to us that we needed to start looking into more flexible mobility options. To create a flexible mobility plan that fits the needs of every employee. That’s when we contacted Mbrella.
Written by
Elien Verheye
Published on
August 31, 2023

FAQs

Every question has an answer. Can't find the answer to your question? Let us know!

Are there restrictions to the federal mobility budget?

The federal mobility budget can not exceed 20% of the total gross wage of the employee (gross wage + all other benefits, but no holiday payment). Besides this the federal mobility budget can not be higher than 16.293 euro and not lower than 3.055 euro (figures of 2024).

What does Mbrella do?

Mbrella is the first corporate mobility solution that is designed to empower employees and unburden HR professionals completely. We offer software that helps you manage mobility budgets, commuting allowances, public transport subscriptions and much more.

How much does Mbrella cost?

Currently Mbrella offers 4 packages of 75, 150, 262 eur per month for respectively up to 25, 50 and 100 users on the platform. A custom-made plan can also be set up.

What are the benefits of Mbrella for HR?

Mbrella is the first corporate mobility solution that is designed to empower employees while unburdening HR professionals completely. Mbrella enables employees to compose their own ideal mobility mix and monitor their allocated budget on the go through an intuitive mobile app. Our integration with your payroll provider ensures correct remuneration. Fair & flexible compensation packages with no admin, what’s not to like? On top of that, you can track the total impact of your company’s efforts with our Carbon Tracker.

How to calculate the federal mobility budget?

To calculate the allowed mobility budget, you need to determine the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) of the company car. This including all related expenses such as purchase or lease price, fuel, insurance, maintenance, taxes, and depreciation. You can use the actual costs formula or the lump-sum formula. The chosen calculation method should be used consistent within your company. Mbrella can help you calculating the TCO.

Is my employee eligible to receive the federal mobility budget?

Employees eligible for the Federal mobility budget must either have a company car or be eligible for one under their employer's (car) policy. The previous waiting period requirement has been removed, allowing immediate eligibility. However, the mobility budget can only available if the employer meets some requirements (See "Is my company eligible to offer the mobility budget?")

Is my company eligible to offer the federal mobility budget?

Companies eligible for the mobility budget must meet specific criteria. Primarily, they need to have made one or more company cars available to their employees for an uninterrupted period of at least 36 months immediately before implementing the mobility budget. This eligibility ensures that the mobility budget can serve as an alternative to the company car system, promoting more sustainable transportation options.

What is the federal mobility budget?

The Federal mobility budget is a flexible system allowing employees to exchange their (right to a) company car for a budget. This budget can be spent on eco-friendly cars, sustainable transport options, and housing costs. Unused budget can be received as cash at the end of the year at a favorable tax rate. This offering tax benefits and promoting sustainable mobility.