Employee Recruitment & Retention

Since 2020, the world has experienced a significant shift in how and where employees work. While hands-on and essential workers – such as first responders, food-service and lodging employees, nurses, and teachers, among others – continue to “work from work,” many desk-based jobs have evolved to offer employees the option of remote and/or hybrid working environments.

Understandably, there practical benefits of a hybrid or fully remote work model.  According to Fortune® Magazine, the average U.S. commute is almost an hour round trip per day, translating to almost 239 hours per year spent on the road. And the financial impact of commuting 5 days per week, which comes in at an average of more than $8,000 per year, further underscores the practical benefits of hybrid work models.

But with more employers calling employees back to the office, some employees are once again realizing the impact of the commute on their free time and wallets. Some have moved out of reach of traditional public transportation options found in larger cities, or don't have access to a reliable personal vehicle to drive, and face longer and more challenging commutes. As U.S. work models continue to evolve, employers face a unique challenge: how can they support employees commuting solutions that keep employee costs low and reflect an understanding of their desire for work/life balance.

A simple, impactful solution

Employers are turning to mobility solutions providers for help. A simple, effective option has gained popularity: vanpooling, which reduces personal commuting costs by helping employees share a ride together. Vanpooling programs can help save participants an estimated $6,000 annually, according to Commute with Enterprise data. Sharing a ride also helps ease the stress of daily driving and can give employees drive time back in their day. Additionally, both riders and organizations can see even greater savings through pre-tax commuter benefits.

The benefits of vanpooling extend further than measurable cost and time savings. "For riders, vanpooling lets everyone but the driver do what they want on the trip, from connecting with and getting to know co-workers to catching up on lost sleep,” says Mike Mangan, Vice President at Commute with Enterprise. “For the organizations we partner with, it's easier to recruit workers from further away when the long commute is less strenuous and less costly. And offering vanpooling as a benefit can support a range of employee priorities and needs, as well – from stress reduction to vehicle reliability to environmental concerns.”

More than just a ride to work

Facing resistance to return-to-office mandates, employers are now considering commuter benefits to help with recruiting and retaining employees.

This aligns with another significant shift in the job market: the increasing importance of an employer's sustainability efforts in the decision-making process of younger workers. According to a 2023 Deloitte study, more than half of CxOs said employee activism on climate matters has led their organizations to increase sustainability actions over the last year. When choosing an employer, this factor and the expectation of exceptional benefits are now central considerations for Millennial and Gen Z employees and recruits. In 2023 alone, Commute with Enterprise vanpooling programs helped participants eliminate an estimated 1.1 billion commuter miles and remove over 50,000 vehicles from the road each day during the work week, eliminating an estimated 409,000 metric tons of tailpipe CO2 emissions¹.

"Vanpool riders can track their monthly cost and mileage savings, as well as their sustainability impact, through their online portal. Not only does vanpooling enhance their daily commute, but they get the assurance that their employer is committed to investing in them and the environment," says Mangan.

Standing out from the competition

Vanpooling solutions contribute to sustainability efforts and are straightforward to implement, making them ideal for employers seeking to attract and retain talent, as many job seekers and employees consider benefits as important as salary. Commute with Enterprise can help businesses provide unique benefits to help appeal to a wider talent pool by offering a more accessible ride to work. "Our solutions are designed to support the diverse needs of all employees and alleviate the stress of getting to work," says Melissa Banigan, Assistant Vice President at Commute with Enterprise. "Our local teams are deeply rooted in their communities, and skilled at customizing programs to make commuting easier for both employees and partners. The goal is simple: to take the work out of getting to work, creating smoother, more efficient journeys for all."

Interested in positively impacting your business and employees? Commute with Enterprise offers a simple and measurable program that helps companies meet their goals while supporting their employees' needs. Talk to a Commute with Enterprise expert to get started.