INSYNC
Does your workplace have a commuter friendly policy?
With fuel prices hitting the roof and guzzling money faster than we can make it, people who commute long distances to work and back each day are the worst hit. Of course, you could plead your case and try your luck asking your boss for a raise, but given the not so rosy state of the economy, the chances are you will get nudged out of the door faster than you can say ‘Rip Van Winkle!’
A better idea would be to get your boss involved in the matter. Even if your boss is not in a position to offer a raise to make up for the hike in fuel prices, there are a number of ways in which a concerned management can intervene and help find cost effective alternatives to avoid burning money at the pump. So what are you waiting for? Make your pitch and see how much money a few sensible measures can save you.
Ask for transportation
Consider asking your employer to arrange for common transportation such as an office bus or van. Common transportation is good for the employee, good for the organisation and good for the environment. Employers can either allow employees to exchange a certain amount of taxable salary for a tax-free transportation benefit, or alternatively, the organisation can pay for their employees to commute by public transport or carpool.
Carpooling
Consider putting up notices inviting car-poolers in the company’s notice boards or intranet sites. Carpooling or even bike sharing can reduce the money spent on fuel consumption by half, and make the commute a more pleasurable experience. Employees who stay close together can share a ride to work and back. You can even request your HR department to co-ordinate with other companies in the vicinity to find if there are employees in other organisations that you could share your ride with. It is a goodwill gesture, and it is good for the company image.
Telecommuting
Ask your boss if you can telecommute to work one day in week. For people who commute long distances each week, a one-day telecommute can result in considerable savings.
And for those in jobs that do not allow them to telecommute, a compressed work week may be the best option.
Change work timings
Okay, so your boss says no to telecommuting and frowns over his glasses on a four-day work week. So is there anything else you can do? Ask if you can forward your work timings by an hour, so that you can beat the rush hour traffic snarls. You can reduce the time and stresses involved in the daily commute through this simple measure. The added bonus is you can leave early and beat the traffic on your way home as well.
Many organisations are instituting incentives and commuter friendly policies for the benefit of their staff. One organisation allows its employees to cash out their reserved parking spaces if they do not use them.
Another has introduced parking discounts and special parking privileges for people who participate in carpool programmes. One company has introduced relocation programmes, which includes finding housing and schools for employees who are willing to relocate closer to work.
When the introduction of sustainable commuting options is a joint, concerted effort by both management and staff, everybody benefits. Commuter friendly policies contribute to the environment, save staff time and money, and go a long way in enhancing employee wellbeing, productivity and organisational pride.
So if your employer has still not woken up to the need to save money on the daily commute, it may be time you took the lead.
