Sign up
Employer Support

Scheduling Options

When everyone works the same schedule, the result is bottlenecks in and around the worksite — and when every company in town does, the effects extend well beyond the parking lot.

Alternative schedules are time-management options offered by employers to help employees avoid peak-hour traffic, or at least reduce their exposure to it. As a side benefit, they help reduce traffic congestion throughout the region.

The payoff

The advantages

  • Implement changes company-wide or by department.
  • Expand business hours without increasing costs.
  • Gain an advantage in employee recruitment and retention.
  • Give employees an easier, less stressful commute.
  • Reduce leave time through greater scheduling flexibility.
  • Increase employee morale and let people work during their most productive hours.
  • Reduce spot congestion at worksite entrances.
  • Lower operating costs if a facility can close one day a week.
  • Create a positive, progressive corporate image.
Two ways to flex

Scheduling alternatives

Flextime

Flextime lets employees adjust their arrival and departure times — a proven way to reduce congestion. Most employers set “core hours” when everyone must be present. It makes it much easier for employees to coordinate with rideshare partners, meet transit schedules, or bike and walk during daylight hours.

Where it works best: sites where employees need minimal face-to-face contact and where staffing flexibility has little impact on service or customers.

Compressed work schedules

Compressed schedules let employees work full-time hours in fewer days, eliminating one commute per week. Companies report less absenteeism, fewer late arrivals, and reduced sick-leave use. The most common arrangements are:

  • 4/40 — a 40-hour week of four 10-hour days and one day off.
  • 9/80 — 80 hours over two weeks: eight 9-hour days, one 8-hour day, and one day off.
Where it works best: where set-up or shift-changeover time is required (such as hospitals or manufacturing), or where work isn’t disrupted by staggered staffing.

Making it work

How is it implemented?

Alternative work schedules are typically implemented as part of a Commute Trip Reduction program. Employers work with managers, employees, and labor organizations to develop suitable policies — often formalizing informal practices already in place. A good policy specifies which job categories are suitable, what qualifies an employee, how performance is evaluated, how schedules are set and changed, and how the arrangement is reviewed.
Other employer resources
Employer Services
Telework

Where we serve

Our program covers anyone who lives or works in the following areas: cities of Buena Vista, Charlottesville, Harrisonburg, Lexington, Staunton and Waynesboro; and the counties of Albemarle, Augusta, Bath, Fluvanna, Greene, Highland, Louisa, Nelson, Rockbridge and Rockingham. Our database consists of hundreds of registered commuters with new commuters registering every day. It is possible that other commuters seeking to share a ride may contact you. Please note that RideShare does not sell, share, or trade the information you provide.

Ease congestion with flexible schedules

RideShare helps employers design flextime and compressed-schedule programs that work for their teams.

Contact RideShare