As cities begin to roll back quarantine orders, employers have begun thinking about how they’re going to have their employees return to the office. This is no easy task! There are so many factors that go into safely having any number of employees return to the office, from how they’re going to get there to how you’re going to rearrange the physical office setup.

We know commuting isn’t a top priority for many people and employers right now. But, as quarantine regulations begin to be lifted or extended, companies are going to need to analyze how they’re going to move forward. Part of the process is building a commute management strategy that complies with local regulations while providing safe commute options for employees.

We’ve recently been writing about how commutes are going to be altered after quarantine orders are lifted. The way most people travel is going to be different. We’ve been hearing about big pushes for biking and walking to work for more sustainable and safer commutes. 

When the times come to make our way back into the office, commutes will be changed. Many people will be weary of the crowded, confined spaces of public transit in the beginning. Don’t get us wrong, we’re not discounting the importance public transit will play in the transition back. We’re saying it will take time for your employees to feel comfortable riding face-to-face with other commuters.

We know commuting is a thing of the past and future at the moment. Luckily, the local D.C. council is still working to make commuting better for now and in the future. Earlier this month, the Washington, D.C. Council passed the Transportation Benefits Equity Amendment Act of 2019.

The COVID-19 pandemic and resulting social distancing has brought ambiguous timelines, ever-changing predictions, and a general feeling of not knowing what to expect about returning to “normal.” One thing we’re certain of, though, is that companies are using this time to take a step back, reassess their strategies, and begin to plan for the eventual transition back to the office.

One purpose of implementing office amenities is to attract potential employees. Maybe more importantly though, it’s to retain the talent you already have. Offering useful amenities is more conducive to creating a positive employee experience than superficial additions.