How Commute Benefits Help Recruiters Attract New Talent
A NEW WAY TO ATTRACT AND RETAIN TOP TALENT
Hiring has been difficult for many businesses since the pandemic began. And for the last year-plus, companies have had to find unique ways to attract and retain employees.
Fun fact: commuting can be a make-or-break factor in an employee’s decision to work for a particular company. According to a recent Robert Half survey, 23 percent of US workers have quit a job because of a tough commute. Meanwhile, 85 percent would be willing to take a pay cut in exchange for an easier way to get to work.
Attracting top talent professionals of any age
Employers should be considerate of the different needs to varying generations in the workplace. With today’s multigenerational workforce, any benefits plan should complement multiple age ranges within the business.
For instance, when choosing where to work, Millennial and Gen-Z professionals are interested in more than money. Studies consistently show they value their work-life balance above all else, and will avoid working at companies that don’t provide support for their personal interests.
It’s not news: A daily commute—and the time and cost that go with it—can cause a lot of stress. So it’s not surprising that employers provide thoughtful commuter benefits that have seen big gains. Their workers are more productive. They’re more likely to stay in the office longer. They even might be willing to refer their own friends into the company.
Simply put, contributing toward a portion of your workers’ commuting expenses shows that you're invested in them, and can make them more committed to your cause.
Getting started with a commute program
Businesses can differentiate their organization by implementing programs to make life easier for commuters. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach. Instead, employers should take into account:
- Office location
- How people are currently commuting
- The environmental impact of the options they're offering
- Their workers’ preferences about how to get around
Some people like to bike. Some like to bus. Some like to walk. Some need a little help to get from A to B. Not everyone moves and grooves the same, and there's no one-size-fits-all approach to creating an awesome company commute program. But here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Daily commutes — Make the ride to work and back home a little easier with monthly ride credit.
- First and last mile — When public transit doesn’t quite go the distance.
- Rides home after dark — Give your night owls a reliable way to get home.
- Shuttle replacement — Replace fixed routes with a more flexible option.
- Traffic and parking lot relief — Alleviate over-crowded parking lots and reduce single-occupancy vehicles
Delighting candidates with benefits that improve their commute should be top-of-mind for any talent acquisition team. Discover more reasons why you should create a commute program in our latest eBook.