How HR can help employees 'earn the commute'

"Most workers (62%) are relatively satisfied with their commutes, but some say it's a time suck (38%), money drain (32%), or stressful (30%), according to November data from real estate analytics firm Leesman. Satisfaction also dips the longer the commute: 92% are satisfied with 15 minutes or less, 54% with 45-60 minutes, and 35% with two or more hours. Leaders have been trying to "earn the commute" for years, Amanda Kross, head of Americas consulting at commercial real estate firm JLL, told HR Brew."

"How to earn the commute. HR can approach the commute with an "outside in and inside out" strategy, Kross said. "Outside in" focuses on the office location and how convenient it is for employees. She advises JLL's clients to look at transportation accessibility and neighborhood amenities and services that may improve the employee experience. "You can have the best physical office, but if those are big barriers, you're going to run into challenges with that commute-worthy experience," Kross said."

""Inside out" refers to the in-office experience, she added. This can be improved with flexible and comfortable workspaces, and providing employees with personalization options. Some companies are increasingly switching from individual or dedicated workspaces to shared and collaborative spaces to give employees more variety. And some HR pros are also redesigning workspaces so that they marry the home and office work experience, or support neurodivergent employees with lighting and noise adaptability, HR Brew previously reported."

Most workers (62%) report relative satisfaction with their commutes, while significant shares label commutes a time suck (38%), money drain (32%), or stressful (30%). Satisfaction falls as commute time increases: 92% satisfied at 15 minutes or less, 54% at 45–60 minutes, and 35% at two or more hours. Employers aim to "earn the commute" through "outside in" measures—improving location, transportation access, and neighborhood amenities—and "inside out" measures—enhancing in-office comfort, flexibility, personalization, shared collaborative spaces, home-office continuity, and neurodivergent-friendly lighting and noise options. Manager presence and engagement in the office remain critical to success.

Read at HR Brew