In the wake of the Great Resignation, employers continue to look for innovative strategies to tackle their recruiting challenges. However, for many the primary difficulties with commuting are transportation access barriers. They only worsen the travel gap between companies and their workers, while traditional solutions like offering higher wages and benefits packages may not be enough. For example, a Robert Half Survey found that nearly a quarter of people quit their jobs due to an unpleasant commute.
This is where Transportation Demand Management (TDM) comes into play to help resolve these relevant employer issues. TDM is a set of strategies that aim to improve access to commute options like carpooling, vanpooling and public transit while reducing the stress and cost of commuting overall. By implementing TDM policies, employers and communities can enjoy various benefits beyond reducing transportation barriers.
Let’s take a look at some of those benefits.
Employers Can Recruit From a Wider Pool of Talent
It may go without saying, but access to skilled workers is a top priority for many employers in Atlanta. Unfortunately, a lack of reliable transportation can make it challenging for employers to find and retain the right workers.
Some areas throughout the Atlanta area lack adequate access to public transportation for job opportunities, which is especially problematic if workers depend on transit to move around the city. This lack of transit limits the labor pool, affecting businesses’ competitiveness in underserved geographic areas.
TDM strategies that provide shuttles or subsidies for public transit and promote carpooling or telecommuting can address these challenges by making it significantly easier for workers to access opportunities in their field.
Employee Retention Increases
Companies invest abundant time and resources into recruiting, training and nurturing their employees.
Losing a valuable worker because of a lack of reliable transportation wastes resources and ultimately leads to preventable business disruptions. Providing options like carpooling, vanpooling or flexwork has been proven to increase employee satisfaction and retention while reducing commute times and their associated monthly costs, mainly for gas and parking.
600,000+ metro Atlanta commuters use telework, carpooling, compressed workweeks and flexwork to increase work productivity. The best part? You can also implement these strategies for free with Georgia Commute Options’ (GCO) help.
Cleaner Air for the Entire Community
Results from current partnering organizations and region-wide commuter challenges show that implementing TDM programs significantly improves the air quality across Atlanta. One of the main goals is to reduce the number of single-occupancy drivers on the road and help lessen harmful pollutants emitted into the air. Furthermore, an immediate environmental advantage is improving public health by reducing the risk of respiratory illnesses and other related health problems. In other words, everybody benefits!
Being environmentally conscious can improve your company’s reputation and attract more talent and investors to your organization. According to a study by IBM’s Institute for Business Value, 68% of employees prefer to apply for and accept jobs from companies that are seen as environmentally sustainable.
Increase Interest in Your Company With GCO’s Free Resources
Many employers need more transportation options to recruit and retain top talent for potential employees who don’t live nearby. With accessible and reliable transportation options, workers are more likely to save a significant portion of their paycheck instead of allocating dollars toward gas, car maintenance and parking fees.
Fortunately, you have a solution to this common issue, which costs you nothing!
GCO offers free resources to companies looking to implement TDM strategies, including personalized commute planning, alternative transportation options and incentives for employees who choose sustainable commuting options.
Don’t let commuting stress impact your workforce — contact GCO today to learn more!