The costs associated with workers who don’t have reliable transportation to work can be far-reaching.
Employee Costs
When employees are unable to get to their job sites, they may experience higher levels of stress and absenteeism, leading to decreased productivity. This may result in lost profits for the company, as well as increased recruitment and replacement costs for new employees. Without reliable access to transportation, employees may also miss important networking or professional development opportunities that could help them advance in their careers. If the worker’s car is unreliable, they may have to replace/repair multiple parts on their vehicle, adding more costs to the worker who is already losing hours at his place of employment.
The Costs to the Business
Businesses may suffer from an image standpoint if their customers perceive that a lack of reliable transportation is impacting employee performance or customer service quality. Finally, employers may be liable for safety violations related to employee transportation issues. All of these factors combine to create a significant financial burden for businesses that don’t help to ensure reliable transportation for their workers.
Therefore, it is essential for companies to consider the costs associated with employees’ lack of access to reliable transportation and take proactive steps to address this issue. Employers can look into providing solutions such as free or discounted public transport passes, car sharing options, or supporting organizations like Community Rides. In doing so, they can help ensure that their employees are able to get to work safely and on time, which in turn will benefit the business, their employees, and the community.