Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)—sometimes extended to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging—is far more than a buzzword. It refers to both an overall organizational framework and set of practices that are designed to support and uplift employees and prospects from all backgrounds. DEI programs can have a real positive impact on team members, and they’re becoming increasingly vital for corporate success. In fact, research shows that 56% of employees believe that increasing DEI is a positive step, while companies that embrace DEI are 70% more likely to capture additional markets and 35% more likely to see stronger financial returns.
There are a lot of potential DEI topics to consider, but many companies are unsure where to begin. It might come as a surprise to learn that one way you can dramatically boost the success of all your DEI initiatives is to learn about your employees’ commutes. Let’s delve into why this often-overlooked process is so important in promoting true equity among your existing staff members—as well as potential new hires.
The Link Between Transportation and Equity
A manager who is used to getting into a reliable car every morning and driving it to work may not have thought much about how their employees arrive. But in fact, commuting challenges disproportionately affect underrepresented groups—the very people DEI programs are built to support. From racial minorities to workers with disabilities, research into employee demographics and transportation consistently shows disparities in the ability of marginalized groups to quickly and easily get to work.
Examples of challenges that these groups face include, but are not limited to:
- Accessibility. People with disabilities may not be able to fully utilize public transit systems or even rideshares, while women and transgender people may be uncomfortable using certain routes at night. An estimated 24.6 million people live in transit deserts, where there is no public transportation at all.
- Affordability. Some employees may not be able to afford a reliable car, or may need to share one among multiple adults in the household. Did you know that in 2023, the average cost of owning and maintaining a car was $1,015 per month? Rideshares can also be pricey, especially during peak hours.
- Time inequities. Depending on where your employees live and where your facility is located, workers who don’t own cars may have to make long, difficult commutes. Changing buses, waiting for the subway, and walking to and from public transit stops can all add significant time to the length of the workday.
These factors are just the tip of the iceberg and can cause cascading impacts on workers, such as:
- Increased childcare costs due to transit times
- Weather-related hazards, like navigating icy sidewalks in mobility aids
- Loss of family time due to long commutes
- Missed work hours due to transportation breakdowns
Assessing Your Workforce’s Transportation Needs
Of course, any program you implement at work should be based on hard data rather than general impressions of potential impacts to work-life balance. Along with measures such as employee surveys, this is where SHARE Mobility’s Commuter Analysis really shines.
Commuter Analysis is a software tool for employers that provides a quick and easy-to-understand overview of the transportation landscape around any business's location. For further insights, employers can also upload anonymous employee information, like addresses, in order to generate relevant data including:
- Employee demographic information for the “typical” employee in your area
- Average commute times
- Nearest public transit stops
- Commuting patterns
- Vehicle requirements
This data can help you better understand your existing workforce’s commute and to identify potential regions for future hiring. It can also assist you with making decisions about whether to offer transportation for employees, and what types of transportation solutions would best meet your workers’ unique needs.
Transportation Solutions for DEI Initiatives
Employee benefits packages can be tailored to help support your DEI initiatives, as well as overall employee wellness plans. Depending on what you learn from your Commuter Analysis data, you might consider adding some or all of the following transportation solutions:
- Subsidized public transit. If the majority of your employees live near public transit lines that would allow them to reach your facility in a timely manner, consider offering bus passes or similar options. You could also offer a parking pass as an alternative for those employees who prefer to drive to work.
- Carpools. If most of your workers live close to each other, you could try to organize carpools. Perhaps those without cars of their own would be willing to contribute to the cost of gas, while the others take turns driving.
- Bike-to-work initiatives. If there are good bike paths and your employees don’t live too far away, biking to work could be a solution for those who are physically able to do so. Consider offering bicycle parking and shower facilities to support this.
- Flexible scheduling. For some employees, the opportunity for flexible work could make all the difference. Whether it’s working from home or choosing start and end times that align with public transit schedules, a bit of flexibility shows members of underrepresented groups that you have their backs.
- Corporate shuttle. In some cases, it might make sense to send a private shuttle bus to pick up and drop off workers. Whether you offer door-to-door service or a fixed route, such as from a bedroom community to the commuter train, this solution can help ensure that people can get to work regardless of their difficulties with a traditional commute.
Improve Your DEI Impacts with SHARE Mobility
At SHARE Mobility, we have been in the transportation business since 2016. We specialize in helping to create and optimize cost-effective, hassle-free commuter benefits programs that are individually tailored to each company’s needs. It all starts with our Commuter Analysis tool, which will help you analyze your workers’ commuting challenges to better determine how to incorporate transportation into your overall DEI plans.
Are you ready to learn more about how SHARE Mobility can help? Schedule a live demo and Q&A session with one of our transportation experts today!
