According to a recent survey, workers who are happy with their jobs are more likely to commute to work for free. In fact, 8 out of 10 surveyed employees said that a free commute would encourage them to return to the office. However, it’s important for employers to consider practical benefits such as covering commuting costs instead of offering perks like ping pong tables or free snacks.
Commuting costs have significantly increased since the pandemic, with the average annual cost of commuting now standing at $8,466. This is a marked increase from 2019 when the average annual commuting cost was much lower. Despite shorter commute times in some cities due to the pandemic, the average one-way office commute is still around 27 minutes.
However, there are exceptions to this trend, as some “super commuters” are willing to spend significant amounts on their commute in order to save on other expenses. These workers may have moved to more affordable cities during the pandemic but continue to work in more expensive metropolitan areas. They find that the savings on rent outweigh the costs and inconvenience of a long-term commute. Overall, employers should consider offering practical benefits such as covering commuting costs in order to attract and retain employees back in the office.
