Netherlands: Achmea to allocate every employee a one-time €2,500 ‘climate budget’

Dutch insurer Achmea is introducing a new innovative company collective labour agreement, which was approved on 14 January 2022 by the two of the three trade unions, namely FNV Finance and CNV Vakmensen. The members of De Unie, however, did not give their approval. The agreement will run for two years until 01 December 2023. In addition to a salary increase (3% from 1 January 2022 and an additional 1% from 2023), and the payment of a one-time €750 gross payment in January 2023, the insurer will also grant a net ‘climate budget’ of €2,500 to each of its 12,000 employees in 2023. This sum is intended to be spent on products and services that contribute to sustainability and so to improving the climate. “This includes, for example, the purchase of solar panels, home insulation, AAA house appliances, and heat pumps. But also sustainable mobility, such as an (electric) bicycle,” explained a spokesperson. Management is aiming to encourage staff to become ‘more environmental.’ Other notable points in the new agreement include ‘made-to-measure’ bereavement leave with no ceiling and an unlimited training budget for all employees and temporary staff employed for more than three months. “This new agreement means that we are again investing in sustainable employment practices for now and the future,” said Bianca Tetteroo, chair of the Executive Board of Achmea.