Return to office: 3 tips to make commuting easier for employees

Key takeaways:

• Hybrid work models ease the transition back to the office by letting employees stagger their schedules and reduce commute stress.

• Flexible parking solutions, like app-based reservation tools, help organizations manage limited parking while giving employees peace of mind.

• Incentivizing public transportation, ridesharing, and carpooling cuts traffic congestion and opens up more parking for those who need it.

• Putting employees at the center of return-to-office planning makes the transition smoother for everyone involved.

As many workplaces consider a return-to-office policy, it's important to think through the ins and outs of commuting. Some employees may feel energized and excited about working onsite, while others may need to rearrange their lives and steel themselves for a long or expensive commute.

How can you adopt a flexible, hybrid workplace?

Many people have found a rhythm working from home, so bringing everyone back full time may not be necessary for a lot of organizations. In these cases, a hybrid model-or a workspace that combines remote work with office work-is an ideal alternative.

Consider these options:

1. Set a hybrid baseline so employees can ease into onsite days without losing work-from-home flexibility.

2. Let departments choose onsite schedules based on their workflows and team needs.

3. Stagger commute times to reduce traffic overflow and smooth incoming and outgoing volume.

How can you make parking a seamless experience?

If you're bringing more people back onsite, parking becomes a day-one experience issue. Limited supply, outdated permit models, and unclear processes can quickly create stress.

A more seamless approach includes:

How can you incentivize public transportation and other sustainable modes?

You can reduce parking demand and improve the commuting experience by making alternatives easier and more rewarding. Incentives can shift behavior without adding complexity to your team's workload.

Consider:

• Transit or rideshare subsidies for employees who opt out of driving.

• Support for carpooling or bikesharing, especially in dense metro areas where parking is tight.

• A centralized way to manage commute benefits, so employees understand what's available and how to use it.

What's the bottom line?

You don't need a perfect return-to-office plan to make a meaningful difference. Start with flexibility, remove friction from parking, and encourage options beyond solo driving. Small changes can quickly improve the day-to-day experience for employees, while helping you manage costs, capacity, and satisfaction with more confidence.