(Photo Credit Above: Jenna Cittadino, 7GA Program Director and her canine assistant Candy) As more vaccines are being put in arms and as the world cautiously moves towards reopening, it's time to contemplate many of the lessons we have learned in the past year. Perhaps some of the changes are worth making permanent because they will not only benefit our way of life, but also be better for the planet.
One change to consider is company culture. Many companies that would not allow work-from-home options pre-covid were forced to close their offices and operate almost 100% remotely. Now as companies discuss re-opening their doors, perhaps they can consider how frequently employees really need to come into the office. Can employees telecommute at least one day a week? Or if working remotely is not ideal, can employees be allowed to adopt a four-day work schedule, where they work four 10 hour shifts instead of five 8 hour shifts?
Telecommuting offers many benefits for the environment. This includes reducing greenhouse gas emissions, saving fossil fuels, lowering the company’s overall carbon footprint, and reducing air pollution. In addition to the environmental impacts, studies have found employees are more productive when working from home.
So as companies open up, perhaps it is time to revisit the pros and cons of an in-person workspace to improve employee morale as well as help the environment.
We understand that many professions cannot work remotely, such as restaurants, supermarkets, doctors' offices, and many others. A suggestion to lower emissions would be to arrange carpools or take public transportation, attend a conference virtually instead of traveling, or offering virtual appointments if relevant, even if only one day a week. We encourage you to be creative and think outside the box to find solutions that will better your lifestyle and protect our planet.
Ready to take action?
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