Unreliable Ride to Work? How to Ensure that You’re On Time
You’re late to work because your car won’t start. You miss a day because the neighbor you were counting on for a ride bailed. Often, a huge barrier to job stability is finding a reliable and efficient way to get to work.
Many people face challenges in getting to and from their jobs. Too often, a workplace is not accessible by public transportation. Or your work shift doesn’t match a bus or train schedule. Not surprisingly, the only option for millions of American workers is to drive a car to work. That said, if you don’t have a vehicle, or it isn’t in good working condition, it’s likely you’ll have trouble getting to work.
What happens when you want the job but your transportation there is unreliable? There are ways to ensure that you make it to work on time.
Public Transportation
Overall, more Americans than ever are using mass transit. And with good reason. Besides lowering your carbon footprint, research shows that taking a bus or train to work makes us happier. Choosing public transportation can put more money in your pocket. It turns out that many companies offer a range of incentives for workers who use mass transit, from tax-free passes to subsidized fares. Besides saving money, public transportation is a reliable and safe way to make sure you punch in on time each day. If you’re concerned that the bus or train schedule doesn’t work with your shift, ask your human resources department about possible solutions. You may be surprised to learn that many companies offer flexible scheduling to accommodate the bus or train schedules.
Carpool
Many of today’s employers encourage their workers to carpool. Besides saving money on gas, carpooling reduces congestion on roads and highways. It can also be a way to build friendships with co-workers. Often, a company’s human resources office can connect you with other employees who work your shift and live in your neighborhood.
Ridesharing
If you live in an urban area, you know that ride-sharing apps like Uber or Lyft can be the most cost-effective and efficient ways to get around town. Simply download the app and schedule your ride. These services now offer carpooling options to riders who are willing to pick up additional passengers traveling in the same direction. In exchange, riders all get a discount on the service. You can also check out the growing number of mobile apps that offer carpooling services like Scoop or Bridj.
Bike or Walk
If you’re lucky enough to live within walking or biking distance to your job, it makes sense to choose an active commute over a sedentary one. Besides saving a buck, you’ll avoid the frustrating battles with the rush-hour masses, while you lose your gut. If you don’t have a bicycle, check out the growing bike-sharing services available. You may be surprised to learn that more than 200 cities around the world offer bike-share programs.
Job Seekers
What if you’re a job seeker, and you’re not sure how to get to work? Before you accept that job, your best bet may be to explain your commuting issues with your new employer. You may be surprised to see how many commuting solutions they can offer. Besides, it’s important to be honest about your transportation issues from the get go.
The bottom line: Even if you don’t have a car or it’s constantly breaking down, there are many things you can do to ensure that you have a reliable ride to work. To learn more about an effective job search and hiring process, visit the Nesco Resource website.