Spending at least eight hours per day at the office can be exhausting enough, but the addition of a slow commute often makes for a very long day. In Chicago, it takes the average person 34 minutes to get to work, according to data from the U.S. Census Bureau, and is often even longer for those residing in suburban areas.
Premium Staffing, Inc. — one of the leading temp agencies in Chicago — understands commuting can take a major toll on your day. If you’re fed up with your long, solo drive into work, consider switching things up.
Four Alternatives to Your Standard Morning Commute
Taking Public Transportation
Catch a ride on the bus or train and save big on gas and parking expenses. Instead of battling heavy traffic, you can read a book, listen to music or chat with fellow commuters. Depending on your route, this might reduce your travel time, but even if it doesn’t you’ll get to relax and enjoy the ride. The extra cash in your pocket and lower stress levels will have a positive impact on your life.
Carpooling
If you live near colleagues or have neighbors who work near your office, join forces and ride together. Make sure you follow the same work hours, but when the details are ironed out, you’ll have at least one person to keep you company on the commute. Riding together will allow everyone to save on gas and parking, and if your city has carpool lanes — sadly Chicago doesn’t — you’ll finally qualify.
Working Remotely
Ask your boss if you can work from home a couple days per week. This will allow you to enjoy a few completely commute-free days, adding extra hours back into your day. This should help offset some of the frustration you feel on days you have to go into the office.
Adjusting Your Work Hours
If you typically work 9am to 5pm, it’s no wonder your commute is a nightmare. Talk to your manager about shifting your work hours a little earlier or later to avoid primetime traffic. You’ll still be at work the same amount of time and accomplish just as much, but this will allow you to get more from your day.
At Premium Staffing, Inc., we’re engineers ourselves, so we understand the magnitude of a career move. Our team is here to guide your search for an engineering or manufacturing opportunity that meets all your criteria. Contact us today to discuss your future!