What is commuting in the age of hybrid working

So far, the conversation continues to revolve around whether commuting to work is really necessary, when hybrid and remote working is now a popular option for employees. Two thirds of CEOs believe that staff will return to work five days a week within the next three years, meaning that a daily commute will still be an important part of the daily work routine. However, as hybrid working remains a popular choice, with three-fifths of employees currently having a flexible working arrangement, commuting is still a less regular occurrence than it was before the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Employers might find that there are some pros and cons of commuting to work when hybrid working is an option to many. While many employers have already made up their mind about whether to reduce or remove commuting from the picture entirely, they may be looking to reevaluate whether to keep this up now we are well past post-pandemic restrictions. Some of the pros of reducing or removing commuting entirely are listed below.

• Better for the environment: It could be better for the environment a study published by Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. found that people working from home cut emissions by 54% compared to those working in the office. The same study discovered that employees working from home one day a week cut emissions by 2%, while two to four days can reduce them by 29%. 
• Reduce stress: Long commutes can be stressful, so working from home some or all of the time may reduce your employees’ stress levels. Fewer commutes can mean more quality leisure time for employees, as well as improved job satisfaction and better mental health.
• Save time: Removing commutes can save employees time, giving them more opportunity to prepare themselves for the working day in the morning. They could take this time to have a healthier breakfast, work on a sudoku or crossword to boost concentration or do some exercise to increase their energy levels. 
• Reduce Cost: It can help employees to reduce travel costs during a cost-of-living crisis. As employees may have to pay for annual train fares, parking tickets, and/or car maintenance, getting rid of the commute can help them to cut down on costs. According to Cycle to Work Alliance, the average annual season ticket is £3,263, while the costs of annually running a car are £3,556. 

Despite these positives, there are some potential cons of removing the daily commute to work for employees. Consider the possible issues below.

• Not everyone can participate: Whether removing a commute is better for the environment is still inconclusive, because of factors that vary from employee-to-employee. Some employees might be able to walk into work every day, which cuts down on commuting emissions entirely however not everyone has that choice. Walking to work and cycling to work can contribute to your employee’s overall mental health. For employees who don’t otherwise have time to get outside, walking or cycling to work may be the perfect opportunity to step outside. However, those with a long commute or those who are disabled may not have this option. 
• Isolation: Staff can feel more isolated, especially if they are mostly working from home. For some this can lead to decreased morale, particularly if there is little opportunity for catch-ups or in-person meetings (such as when teams work globally and only have a few meetups throughout the year).

Creating a green commute

If you do decide that a commute is the way to go for your employees, think about how you can make it a green commute. Below, we look at some motivating factors behind encouraging employees to make their commute better for the environment.

Why is it important to encourage green commuting?

According to Greenmatch, domestic transport is responsible for 99 million tonnes of carbon dioxide, with the highest rates of carbon emissions found in parts of the UK where public transport links are less accessible. Greenmatch also found that the highest levels of emissions were produced by cars – being responsible for 52% of all domestic vehicle emissions.

Transport with the lowest carbon emissions include tram, the London Underground, National Rail and the London bus service. This emphasises the importance of using public transport or other green commuting options over the use of cars and other domestic vehicles. 

Ways to create a green commute

Creating a green commute can be easy; below, we explain some ways that you can help an employee reduce their emissions on the way to work.

Encourage cycling or walking to work

While this might not be an option for all employees, encouraging cycling or walking to work at least a few days a week can help them to cut back on their daily emissions. Perhaps your business could have a cycle-to-work scheme, which allows employees to save money while investing in a bike. According to the UK government, you could provide a bike loan to an employee which they pay back over time, or purchase a fleet of bicycles which you can create a cycling pool with. You could also create a salary sacrifice plan, where some of an employee’s salary goes towards paying for a bike each month; this can benefit both you and your employee as it can reduce your business costs.

Carpooling

For those employees who can’t cycle or walk to work, then carpooling can be a great option. According to Mossy.Earth, it is projected that just under 45 million vehicles will be in carpooling programmes by 2025. With its increasing popularity may come more opportunities for employees to share a vehicle with other staff. Also, with the advent of carpooling and lift-sharing apps, employees may be able to find more options than were previously available. 

Using financial incentives to encourage green commuting

If you have the budget for it, you could also consider providing employees with perks and benefits for taking public transport, cycling or walking over using a car. You could also provide them with a commuting allowance, which could help them to save money if paying for annual train tickets or buying a bike. 

These days, you might be looking to encourage your employees to return to work full-time, maintain a hybrid working option or even be examining some requests to work remotely from them. For the days when your employees attend work in person, it’s important to help them to reduce their emissions. As you weigh up the pros and cons, reflect on how you can find commuting to work solutions that remain faithful to your company culture.