How long is your commute to work? If you are anything like me, you drive to work. However, some of you may walk, bike, or take the train. However you choose to get there, the amount of time that it takes an employee to get to work can greatly effect job satisfaction. A short commute can be a huge perk for whichever employer they may work for. Please feel free to leave a comment or suggestion down below about your own experiences with commuting.Employment Perk: Shorter Commute Time
Some 600,000 people are now defined by the Census as Mega-Commuters, travelling over 50 miles or 90 minutes each way, each day. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the average commute time for most Americans is about 25 minutes. I suspect that for the majority of Americans, that is 25 minutes too long. If you want to see what the average local commute time is in your own county, you ought to check out this map by WNYC: http://project.wnyc.org/commute-times-us/embed.html#5.00/42.000/-89.500.
Most employees hate the time they spend sitting in traffic; it is aggravating for them knowing how many other things they could be doing if they were already home. Also, it is a known health hazard due to the increase it causes in sedentary lifestyles. A short commute is something that HR professionals and managers can sell as a perk to candidates on a potential position. Remind them of how close they are to major roadways or train stations. If a candidate volunteers their frustration with a long commute in an interview, be sure to mention any available features such as carpooling, public transit, or travel reimbursement. A shorter time spent in a vehicle is something that is sure to attract some candidates.
My current drive time to work is below the average, clocking in at about 15 minutes. How do you get to work? How long does it take?
And remember all of you Human Resources professionals: Be Human... Be a Resource... Be a Resource for Humans.
Interesting Links:
http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/10/28/commutings-hidden-cost/?_r=0
http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/health/story/2012-05-23/long-commute-poor-health/55162620/1
http://www.census.gov/newsroom/releases/pdf/poster_megacommuting_in_the_u.s.pdf
http://www.census.gov/newsroom/releases/archives/american_community_survey_acs/cb13-41.html
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