28th October 2024
A local employer? Why the TN card is the indispensible staff benefit for employers who care.
Since the 1990s, more UK businesses have incorporated a corporate social responsibility (CSR) policy into their operations – committing them to work ethically and make positive environmental, social, and economic impacts. For many companies, standard CSR activities include donating to charitable organisations, enhancing office recycling facilities, or holding employee volunteer days. But thinking outside the box with your CSR initiatives can pay dividends in unexpected ways.
By joining the TN card’s employee benefit scheme, employers can add another string to their CSR bow at minimal cost or effort – while simultaneously supporting staff wellbeing, our local businesses and community, and the environment. It makes sense financially too.
For just £15 (plus VAT) each, your employees can benefit from nearly a thousand exclusive local offers, discounts and events across Tunbridge Wells, Sevenoaks, Tonbridge and the TN postcodes for a whole year. It's well within the government’s annual £50 tax allowance for trivial benefits so it avoids an HMRC headache, and there are multiple benefits making it a must-do CSR activity for forward-thinking employers.
1. Demonstrate commitment to our community.
Like us, you’ll understand the importance of a thriving community and the vital role that local businesses play in sustaining this. From an economic perspective, community is essential. Studies reveal that, for every £1 we spend with a small- or medium-sized business, 63p is re-spent within the local area. Gifting your employees a TN card encourages them to support local over the big brands, so you’re doing your bit to champion our local ecomomy, our small business owners and their families, and everything that makes our towns special - your employees will be part of that with you.
Not only that, but with exclusive member events and business networking events each month, employees are part of our own growing TN card community, able to meet others passionate about our towns, engage with our local business owners and be part of something really special.
A sense of community is vital for staff wellbeing, with researching showing that those who feel a part of their local community are more likely to report being happier. Happy employees = greater work productivity, motivation, and company loyalty.
2. Care for the planet.
Chances are you’ve got a recycling scheme in place, encourage staff to only print when necessary, and make sure the lights are switched off at the end of the day. However, supporting local businesses through the TN card is another way to amplify your green footprint.
Giving your employees a TN card encourages them to shop and eat locally, in turn reducing the carbon emissions created through travel (passenger cars are responsible for 16% of CO2 emissions). Local businesses mean local produce with less food mileage, less packaging, less freight emissions...
The impact of staff across our region spending their lunch breaks at our local businesses, instead of online or with the nationals, is huge. The TN card makes it more affordable to support local, and rewards employees for shopping sustainably too. If we get everyone doing the same, we can collectively make a huge difference.
3. Encourage better physical and mental employee wellbeing.
If there’s one thing we all love in life, it’s treating ourselves. Science supports the idea of self-gifting, with those who treat themselves noted as being happier and less stressed. With an array of discounts at various businesses – from cafes and wineries to florists and jewellers – the TN card makes it oh-so-easy for your employees to purchase pick-me-ups.
And what about physical health? We've a huge number of health processionals now in the scheme, from personal trainers and gyms to dental practices, physios and chiropractors. We've even private healthcare thanks to Benenden Hospital.
We know the importance of mental wellbeing (it's why we support West Kent Mind) so if your employees need wellbeing support, the TN card helps make it more affordable. Numerous practitioners are signed up to our scheme, from counsellors to therapists and menopause specialists.
4. Aid skills and learning development.
Studies reveal that 80% of employees believe receiving skills training would make them more engaged at work, and engaged employees can lead to a 24% increase in company profitability. So, you’ll be pleased to hear that training and events are a big focus of the TN card.
We host quarterly Small Business Talks event, which are free to attend for members, with expert speakers (TN card businesses) discussing business topics ranging from social media marketing to technology, public speaking and the menopause in the work place.
5. Save as a business.
Of course it's not just your staff who will benefit from welcome savings on local purchases. Since launching with a focus on the High Street, we have welcomed a wealth of business professionals and service providers to our directory, all of whom provide exclude discounts to employers with a membership card.
From discounted business insurance and accountancy, to money off branding photography, marketing and social media, you'll soon find the TN card has repaid your purchase.
6. Support an important local charity.
Did you know that the TN card donates 10% from every membership sold to its charity partner West Kent Mind? In our first five years we have donated over £30,000 thanks to memberships, events and fundraisers. Purchasing the TN card for your staff members is an easy way to advocate for an important local charity that supports people in our community with mental health challenges.
We also work closely with West Kent Mind to connect our businesses with the team, provide discounted mental health training and offer subsidised fundraising places for the charity. Listen to our recent podcast with Stevie Rice, CEO of West Kent Mind to learn more here.
7. Enjoy supporter benefits.
You’re proud of your CSR activities – and so are we. That’s why we give our corporate supporters a digital ‘badge’ to proudly display on their digital platforms, highlighting that they are an employer that cares for local. We also thank our corporate supporters on our social media pages, LinkedIn and in local press such as Tunbridge Wells Business Magazine.
The TN card is growing and expanding all the time as we listen to the needs of local businesses. The more that employers like you support the scheme through staff memberships, the more we can do to support and champion small, independent companies and see our towns and communities thrive.
For more information on joining the TN card as an employer contact us here - we would love to hear from you.