Young Women Misbehavin'

This is one in a series of articles from BPW Foundation’s Successful Workplace Digest, a collection of the best work-life and progressive workplace practices from corporations, non-profits and government entities.

To honor Earth Day, this Wednesday, April 22, here is a selection highlighting how a company can have a major impact on the health of the planet.

Calvert, a socially responsible mutual funds firm, headquartered in suburban Washington, D.C., has set industry standards for asset management excellence— both in selection of companies for portfolios and how the organization serves its clients’ interests.

Calvert is actively committed to transparency and corporate responsibility which parlays into providing employees with a flexible, benefit-rich, family-friendly work environment. It is with this commitment in mind that offers commuter benefits in an effort to minimize the impact of commuting on employees and their families.

Calvert has offered commuter benefits to its employees for more than 20 years. This program demonstrates success from a socially responsible standpoint, encouraging and rewarding employees for using alternative methods of transportation.

Transportation Program Highlights

Bicycle and Walking Shoe Reimbursement

• Employees are eligible for either a yearly reimbursement of $120 to cover the cost of shoes or a one-time reimbursement of $500 for the purchase of a bicycle.

• Shower facility for the physically active commuter

Hybrid Vehicle Subsidy Program

• All employees working at least 20 hours per week are eligible for a one-time reimbursement of $3,000 for the purchase, or $1,500 for the lease, of a new or used hybrid vehicle.

Win-Win Policy

Nearly 100 percent Participation

• Benefits start on day one and with subsidies on parking and public transportation, as well as biking and walking, almost all employees receive transportation benefits. More than 30 percent of Calvert’s employees commute to and from work using a method other than driving.

Workplace Flexibility and Cost Savings

• Telecommuting and compressed work weeks give employees the opportunity to spend more time with their families and less time commuting, thus taking their vehicles off of the road during the peak of rush hour. Employees typically save hundreds of dollars on an annual basis by simply participating in Calvert’s commuter benefits program, and Calvert saves money on office usage by telecommuting workers.

Recruiting and Retention

• Calvert’s commuter benefits program helps attract new employees to an urban- suburban area, which can come with a costly commuting price.

• Among other programs, transportation benefits help Calvert to attract new employees and retain current employees. While many companies work with high turnover rates, Calvert generally keeps more than 90 percent of its workforce each year and has an average employee tenure of more than 8 years.

By: Lauren Lefkowitz, PHR  / Human Resources / Calvert
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