What Employees Want

Written by Anne Adier-Vivino

Is traffic congestion in New Jersey impacting a business's ability to find and keep the talent they desire? For businesses located in the "burbs" of New Jersey, finding and retaining new and upcoming talent could pose more of a challenge as the millennial generation wants to be less reliant on cars and desire a multi-modal transportation system.

A recent study surveyed people aged 18 to 34 across 10 metro regions with varying levels of transit service. From Chicago to Tampa to Los Angeles, young people reported a preference for places that are walkable and transit-friendly. Four in five respondents reported they would like to live in a city where they could get around without a car. And almost three in four said neighborhoods without transit access were less appealing places to live.

Let's face it, getting into, out of and around New Jersey is taking a lot more time due to congested roadways, and with travel times getting longer, the drive to work can be incredibly stressful. With commuters spending more than an entire workweek delayed in traffic every year, getting to work is a leading frustration for employees.

Even in smaller urban areas, commuting is more of a hassle than ever before and as traffic congestion increases, so does its effect on the quality of life, roads and the environment.

Many consider the commute to work as part of their day and after an hour-plus commute, employees are arriving to work overwhelmed and overstressed. This often results in loss of productivity as well as time off due to stress-related illnesses.

Many employees accept this as the reality of their work life, but should they? And will they continue to do so?

The research tells us a resounding NO. The millennial generation, in particular, say that work life balance is of utmost importance and, truthfully, wouldn't we all like more free time in our day to do with as we please, rather than spending it stuck in traffic? There are simple solutions for businesses that can please employees of all generations.

Regardless of the location, employers can continue to attract new talent and retain current talent without offering pricey benefits. Many companies are turning to commute programs, offering employee incentives and solutions that encourage the use of commute alternatives like ridesharing, shuttles, teleworking, bicycle programs and utilizing NJ Transit.

Through these programs, they are successfully attracting and retaining employees. 

When seeking jobs, potential employees who may have otherwise overlooked the suburban location may find that these types of additional options for travel appealing and therefore expand their job searches. Current employees will be appreciative of opportunities that save them time and money. They will also arrive to work less stressed and ready to start their day.