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I’m a fan of the Harvard Business Review Management Tip of the Day. There are many things in my inbox waiting for me when I first log onto my email but I always read the tip first. Today’s was Help Your Employees Shake a Bad Mood.
It cited an article by Nancy Rothbard from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, which asks if you ever think about what happens to your employees before they get to work. As a program manager, I’m responsible for all aspects of the program but my team always come first.
If I’ve learned anything as a manager of people it’s that it is my responsibility to think about how my team’s lives outside of the office affect their work lives. This includes how they get to work.
How people commute and the associated physical/mental health implications have been researched and written about. Whether someone is driving, taking transit, or has a 100% active commute like biking and walking - their commute can affect their job satisfcation and happiness.
Thinking of the Bottom Line
As an employer, there are a myriad of options available that can positively affect your financial bottom line by providing benefits on a pre-tax basis for employees who take bus, Metro, train, or even vanpool. If you aren’t including people who bike or walk to work in your transportation benefits programs you are potentially missing out on retaining your healthiest employees who could help lower your company’s health care premiums.
Of course, there will always be days that are really difficult to reset from a less than desirable start. It’s important to remember we are all in control of our own attitudes. As an employer, we can influence our employees’ commutes and their mental and physical health.
Take the First Step
If you don’t know where to start or are looking for some ways to breathe some fresh air into your commute or wellness programs, download our Commuter Benefits guide. It's an overview of all the types of initiatives and benefits you can provide for your employees to ensure their commute works for them.
Photo Credit: Sam Kittner/Kittner.com for Arlington Transportation Partners