Other Commute Alternatives

Teleworking, or working from home or another location, is increasingly popular for employees and employers. About 30 million people in the United States are teleworkers, which means they work from home at least some of the time, usually one to three days a week.

Necessary equipment includes a computer, Internet access and phone, and an environment that is conducive to accomplishing work tasks with minimal distractions. Teleworking part-time often is best because it enables employees to remain engaged with the larger group.

Employees enjoy the convenience and flexibility of telework, while employers can benefit from a more productive work force. Allowing teleworking also can help employers reduce overhead costs.

A compressed work schedule is an arrangement between an employer and employee that permits an employee to work his or her normal workweek hours in fewer days. That means a full-time employee, who is required to work 80 hours every two weeks, is allowed to work those hours in less than 10 days.

This arrangement results in fewer commuting trips to and from the workplace.

Flextime allows employees to start work earlier or later with a corresponding ending time to avoid driving during peak traffic hours. In most situations, employers expect employees to be working during predetermined “core hours” of the day, such as between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Flextime allows employees to find a better balance between their professional and personal responsibilities and commitments.

• Less time spent commuting
• Reduced stress
• Savings on commuting costs
• Fewer distractions
• Improved productivity
• Better work-life balance
• Reduced air pollution