The Herald: Ikea wheels out gifts to keep staff in the saddle at Christmas

Ikea, the furniture giant, gave a new meaning to “on your bike” yesterday, presenting their 1000 Scottish employees flat-pack bicycles for Christmas. In an attempt “to create a better everyday life for the many”, the folding bicycles were handed over to stunned workers at their annual festive breakfast. The self-assembly cycles are worth £140 each and have been specially made for Ikea by Raleigh in Poland. As well as the bikes, each worker will be eligible for 15% subsidised travel tickets to encourage more to use public transport to get to work.

The eco-friendly gift choices are part of Ikea’s continued commitment to improve all environmental aspects of its business and to encourage co-workers to play their part.

Peter Hogsted, Ikea manager, said: “We want to create a better everyday life for the many, and do what we can to make greener living possible. The bike is a fun present but there is a serious message. We all have a responsibility to do what we can to protect the environment. “That is why we are also going to subsidise our employees who will use public transport to get to work. I am encouraged by the fact a small step such as this has been widely welcomed.”

In previous years, employees have been given digital cameras and DVD players. The gifts, which won the backing of government agencies and environmental groups, were handed out after the annual Christmas breakfast, where workers are served by managers.