“Having one port of call for all our kit was simple and streamlined”

Adyen, a financial technology platform that processes payments for globally recognised companies including Nike, Uber, Spotify and Netflix, invested in two Peloton bikes and Precor fitness equipment for its new London office in early 2022.

Investing in staff wellness to entice employees into the workplace has gained significant traction since time spent working from home during COVID lockdowns, as companies look to effectively manage hybrid working, which is increasingly becoming the norm.

As Adyen’s UK Office Manager Katie Oakham explains: “We have always kept a close eye on what keeps our colleagues happy. We don’t want to be a company that just has a good product; we want our team to know we care about them as people. Employee wellness has taken on an even greater significance since the pandemic.

“Off the back of a company-wide staff survey, it became clear we needed an office wellbeing offering. The most requested resource was workout facilities.

“Our UK team has doubled in size since the pandemic began and we wanted our new office to be enticing. It’s where we come together to collaborate and so we felt having fitness facilities available, for free, was vital for encouraging colleagues to travel in. Keeping people healthy ultimately drives a good team.”

 

Office-based workouts

When the nation was in lockdown, many began exercising from home found it easier to integrate activity into life and stick to. Losing these opportunities, alongside the cost of commuting, are the most cited downsides to being back in an office. Aware of this shift, Adyen wanted to ensure staff had free office-based workout options, and purchased two Peloton bikes and hand weights, plus a selection of Precor fitness equipment.

Katie explains: “We dedicated a room in the new office to fitness, but we didn’t have the space to create a full gym and we didn’t want to have to reinforce the floor, which ruled out treadmills. I contacted Peloton direct about getting two bikes for the office space. Peloton suggested Precor’s 600 line elliptical with a p62 touchscreen console and rowing machine were ideal additions.

“Having one port of call for all the kit we needed made it very simple. The whole process was smooth and efficient.

“We have Peloton’s commercial package so it’s exceptionally easy for staff to go in, create their own account, and off they go.

“Usage at the gym has been steady and consistent. Staff often get in early to use the space. We have regular daily users and they are thrilled with the ease of having the equipment in the office. People also sometimes take calls on the step machine, not so much as a workout, but just to keep their body moving rather than being sat all day.

“The team are using the bikes during lunch breaks and after work, and most importantly they are also using them to train for a big charity bike ride we are doing to raise money for our charity partner, Change Please.”

Katie concludes: “Everything about the new office is focused on wellbeing. We also offer free lunches every day, using a company called Feeder, which gives a meal to a child in China for every lunch we buy, and we have two Brompton bikes for staff use, so people can pop out at lunchtime.

“Adyen is striving to be one of the very best places to work, and to have spaces dedicated to employee health is a great way to do this, and the team have really appreciated us stepping up in this area.”