Staff transport considerations for a growing business

So much of life is uncertain. But one thing's for sure: if you run a small business, you're spinning more plates than a circus performer doing overtime.

Whether you're fine-tuning your online presence, developing products or contacting clients, it's fair to say you've got a lot on.

Among all these competing concerns, it can be easy to lose sight of a fundamental issue. How are your staff going to get to work?

This may seem frivolous. But helping your staff get to work on time and in good spirits is a key contributor to their productivity and your profits.

Of course, commuting isn't entirely in your control. Traffic jams, snow days, burst tyres: these are unavoidable parts of life's rich and sometimes trying tapestry.

But there are things you can do to improve the commuting experience for your staff – things you can do, moreover, without breaking the bank.

Sure, you'll have to put aside some time to make it happen. But once you do, you'll never look back – especially as your business grows and the number of people getting from A to B grows too.

Whether it's incentivising staff to carpool or strategically investing in corporate vehicle hire, these steps to success are too often overlooked.

What staff transport considerations does a growing business need to address?

First, let's think about the problems that growing businesses face with regard to staff transport.

Sustainability

These days, most businesses want to keep carbon emissions down. If everyone is driving to work, your business is falling short on sustainability – and will only continue to do so as more people join the team.

Cost

Then there's the impact that the cost of living in the UK is having on staff transport. Fuel, parking, car insurance: these all add up.

If staff feel they're being left to fend for themselves – or, to put it bluntly, pay for themselves – you probably won't have a mutiny on your hands, but you may have an unhappy team.

Public transport woes

Staff who rely on public transport face different kinds of challenges. It may be that they have to get to an area poorly served by buses and trains. Or they may find that their schedule clashes with public transport schedules. Either way, they're not going to arrive at work full of the joys of spring.

Safety

Then there's the question of safety. If staff feel they have to drive through a potentially dangerous area or at a potentially dangerous time, they may think twice about taking the job.

Productivity

Finally, there's the simple fact that long commutes can hurt productivity. No employer wants their staff getting to work already stressed and frazzled.

These, then, are the issues. So what can you do to make things easier for your staff when it comes to transportation and the daily commute?

How can you address these staff transport considerations?

Identify the problem

Before you can tackle these issues, you need to understand their scale.

There are various ways to do this. You could carry out some surveys among staff. You could map and analyse data relating to their commute times and routes. You could set yourself a target for company-wide carbon emissions.

Whichever way you slice it, you need to do some preliminary research to figure out the challenges ahead. Only then can you put a plan in place to get your staff to work safely and on time.

The precise nature of the solution will depend on what "growing" means. A company with five employees will naturally take a different tack than a company with 50.

Implement hybrid working arrangements

However big your business, hybrid working is one way to address these challenges. This lets people avoid the stress of a daily commute and empowers them to find the easiest way to get to work. This is true no matter how big or small your business is.

Scratch their backs…

If your budget allows, you could consider a travel allowance for employees. How much you put aside depends on your profit margins, both current and forecasted.

But even a little can go a long way in increasing positivity among your employees. And as study after study has shown, positivity equals productivity and productivity equals profits.

Encourage carpooling

If your business has lots of employees living in one area, you could encourage carpooling. This would involve matching drivers with colleagues who live nearby. A little incentive would only sweeten the suggestion – fuel allowance, say, or a guaranteed parking spot.

Invest as you grow

Once your business transitions from small to mid-sized, you could consider getting a corporate account with a service such as Uber for Business.

At this level, you could also consider introducing a cycle-to-work scheme. To do this effectively, however, requires some investment in infrastructure – most importantly, some form of secure storage.

Consider corporate hire

Finally, you can consider investing in commercial vehicle hire. This means leasing vehicles from a hire firm on a short- or long-term basis.

You could, for instance, provide company cars for drivers. That way, they get an attractive, modern vehicle that can ferry them to work in comfort – and they won't have to worry about upkeep.

For non-drivers, you could lease a minibus and provide a shuttle service from a convenient location. This would eliminate many of the frustrations that come with public transport and help staff arrive promptly, safely and in good spirits. 

There are benefits for you, too. By giving staff the option to travel in one vehicle, you cut down on carbon emissions. And with flexible long-term hire, you can reap the benefits of a happier, more productive workforce without the painful payout required for a company-owned vehicle.

How we can help

At MVH Rental, we provide businesses of all sizes in the North East with affordable corporate car and van hire.

We're known in the area for our competitive rates, fast turnaround and flexible hire agreements. Short-term and long-term hire options are available, and we treat all our customers to a friendly and professional service.

Getting started with us is as easy as pie. Simply head to our website and fill in a quick enquiry form. Alternatively, you can give us a call on 0191 4888 700.