If the office is too far away from the station, even reasonable fares and short journeys can lose their appeal
So you’ve found the perfect new working space at a great price but how will youremployees be commuting to work?
The hashtag #commutingproblems is one popular on Twitter for a reason: getting to work can cost time, money and stress. In an ideal world, youd cut down on all three when moving to a new office.
Researching the transport issues associated with a prospective office should be a priority once you’ve identified potential spaces how everyone gets to a building is arguably as important as the building itself. Below are the factors worth taking into account, and a few possible solutions:
Money money money
Travelling by train, car, or bus (or a mixture of all three) can result in significant expenditure. The price of petrol may be the lowest it’s been since August 2009, but daily drives soon mount up. There’s also the cost of parking to consider. If the site you’re considering doesnt have a staff car park or has one which isnt free, the costs to employees could be considerable. One way around this is setting up a car share, which can help save such costs and the planet.
Similarly, regularly catching trains or buses can also amount to a lot of money. Rail fares are particularly expensive, making railcards a worthwhile investment. Do bear in mind the cost for clients and customers too. If you’re moving out of the city, what is saved in rent could potentially be spent helping reimburse travel costs make sure you weigh up the two.
Time after time
Another important consideration is how long journeys will take. When a two hour commute isnt uncommon, it might seem like UK workers accept the inevitability of lengthy commutes. However, that’s not to say they don’t have an impact. Generally, the longer the commute, the worse the negative side effects, such as increased anxiety. In an era when workplace wellness is a top priority, this bears thinking about.
Lengthy and difficult commutes can be a real drag on productivity too; you don’t want to waste valuable time travelling. Introducing flexible working hours can help improve time-efficiency issues associated with commuting but can’t provide a solution to all the problems.
Try to find out where the majority of clients and employees are based before making the move. Itll give you an idea of how much travelling would not only add to the working day, but take from it as well.
There’s more…
Time and money are the two major concerns when it comes to transport issues, but to cover all bases, here are a few final considerations:
If the office is too far away from the carpark or train/bus station, even reasonable fares and short journeys can lose their appeal
don’t underestimate the importance of being close to local amenities. You don’t want to find out there’s nowhere nearby when you forget your lunch
While a car share can come in handy, if you’re looking to expand, a sufficient amount of car parking spaces is almost always a must
don’t forget the cyclists. Theyll also need a home for their bike and maybe a shower too! Depending on how close to work everyone lives, signing up for Cyclescheme which will save your employees money on bikes and allow them to pay for them in instalments could be a good idea
To some extent, transport issues are inevitable, but preparation is key to minimising their effect. Much like travelling to work, an office move takes time, money, and effort though youll be thankful when things in the new workplace are going smoothly, and commutes are as well.
