Best Workplaces for Commuters

Consumers Union (CU) has met the Standard of Excellence and is designated a Best Workplace for Commuters.  CU operates a no-cost 15-passenger van, used by at least 35 staffers each day that picks up and delivers people to a New York City subway stop and two train stations. Some 47 staffers participate in the NuRide carpooling program, and CU maintains a carpooling database on the employee Intranet. The Guaranteed Ride Home program provides free transportation home for staff unable to carpool or find an alternative commuting method.

CU allows many staff members to work from home. The organization’s enhanced Virtual Private Network (VPN) assists employees who telecommute. In addition, CU’s headquarters feature a bike rack, as well as lockers and showers for employees who cycle to work.

 Founded in 1936, Consumers Union, the nonprofit publisher of Consumer Reports, is an expert, independent, nonprofit organization whose mission is to work for a fair, just, and safe marketplace for all consumers and to empower consumers to protect themselves.

Christopher B. Burke Engineering, Ltd. (CBBEL) has met the Standard of Excellence and is designated a Best Workplace for Commuters for providing high level commuter benefits to employees. 

The TBG Bike to Work  program began with 6 employees in 2006 riding a total of 3,000 miles. At that point the owner, Christopher Burke, offered to pay employees $0.75 for each mile commuted by bike.  In 2010, employees rode 20,000 miles with 35 employees participating and by October 2011  they are well on their way to 25,000 miles with 44 employees participating which accounts for 22% of the employees.  Mr. Burke also offered to convert a nearby file storage apartment to a locker / shower facility. At the end of every year the top male and female commuters receive a new bike. TBG also has quarterly giveaways of lights, vests, puncture kits etc. The Burke Group has seen healthier employees with increased morale since the program began.

Christopher B. Burke Engineering, Ltd. (CBBEL) is unique among consulting engineering and surveying firms in that they are a full-service company that can comprehensively meet the needs of both private and public sector clients.  Their staff of almost 230, eight offices covering two states, and exhaustive list of specializations—civil, municipal, transportation, water resource, mechanical, structural, construction, traffic, and environmental engineering and environmental resource services—provide professionalism and a depth of expertise that promote project success.

ICF International has met the Standard of Excellence and is designated a Best Workplace for Commuters.  ICF’s robust commuter benefits program includes a pre-tax transit benefit and a monthly subsidy available to all employees around the globe. The number of employees taking advantage of this benefit increased by 20% over the previous year. ICF, a staunch supporter of bicycling and the Bike to Work Day event, supports its own cyclists by providing bicycle racks, showers, and lockers at many offices.

ICF has a formal telework policy that enables many employees to telecommute on a fulltime basis, while others telework one to two days per week. The program allows flexible scheduling and provides laptops to employees. The total savings per year for ICF employees based on alternative transportation methods is approximately 11.9 million vehicle miles and 600,000 gallons of fuel annually.

 ICF International is a global firm that delivers consulting services and technology solutions in the energy, environmental, transportation, social programs, health, defense, and emergency management markets. Because of ICF’s focus on environmental issues, providing an office conducive to cleaner air and a healthy work-life balance are foremost priorities.

                                                               
                                                     Click for more information about  Commuter Solutions
                                                                 in Fairfax County, VA or call (703) 877-5604.
                                                                                                                                     

The University of North Carolina at Greensboro has met the Standard of Excellence and is designated a Best Workplace for Commuters.  UNCG provides fare-free local transit to all students, staff and faculty in addition to discounted regional transit passes for students and pre-tax payroll deducted regional transit passes for employees. During the school year, HEAT (Higher Education Area Transit) buses connect the UNCG campus to several local colleges and universities as well as a variety of other locations. Bicyclists benefit from bike lanes and discounts at local bike shops. To further encourage sustainable transportation, UNCG partners with ZimRide for rideshare matching and ZipCar for carsharing.

Founded in 1891, UNCG is the largest public university in the Triad region with more than 18,000 students and an alumni base of more than 100,000 graduates. UNCG’s mission is to redefine the public research university for the 21st century as an inclusive, collaborative and responsive institution making a difference in the lives of students and the communities it serves. In keeping with that mission, UNCG is a learner-centered, inclusive and innovative institution, providing the challenges, supportive environment and community engagement that fuel growth and elevate achievement in a complex and changing world.