Every business leader knows that half of good leadership is about putting out fires, with the other half being forward-thinking visionary thinking. The former is hardly that inspirational, which is why it’s rarely spoken of in business blogs. But it does matter.
Good business planning often means writing up contingencies and helpful practices to prevent issues taking place, or at least limiting the damage when they do. It’s not easy, but over time, you gain a certain sixth sense for it, especially as you settle into your role.
If you were asked the most annoying possible frustration any staff member had to deal with, it may be late payroll or being overworked with an understaffed department. However, one of the most underrated frustrations is that of poor staff parking. This problem can be exacerbated if you have to seal off the area for safety or maintenance reasons.
In this post, we’ll help you manage alternatives and keep your staff happy when this most essential part of their morning is frustrated. Without further ado, please consider:
Arrange Offsite Parking Vouchers
You may feel a bit worried if you need to close the space quickly, but looking for a safe, public parking garage or lot close to your office that you can work with might help you direct some of the flow. Talk to the manager there about setting up a temporary bulk arrangement to cover the cost for your staff if possible, even if it’s expensive, as its only temporary.
If you’re able to get pre-paid vouchers or validation codes for an alternative spot, it’s is a huge help and shows your team you care about their morning routine. You want to make it zero effort for them, so they don’t have to worry about finding parking or paying for it out of pocket, as it should take away the frustration immediately and keeps the peace while your property gets the concrete repair work it needs.
Offer A Transportation Stipend
If they have to take other travel options, providing a temporary cash boost to cover public transport or rideshares can help, as not everyone will drive, so this is a fair way to help out everyone facing a commuting issue.
You could offer a set amount each week that roughly covers a few bus tickets or a share of a weekly commuter pass. If there are those who still choose to drive, they can use the money to cover a daily parking fee at a different, smaller lot nearby, as you’ll still give them options and a little bit of financial relief during the inconvenience. It’s a great gesture that goes a long way with employee morale, just make sure everyone gets it, even those who usually use public transport..
Encourage Carpooling And Bike Use
You should actively promote carpooling among your employees since it very much reduces the number of vehicles needing a spot. Start a simple channel on your internal communication app where people can easily connect with colleagues who live nearby.
Also, consider offering a small incentive for those who adhere to carpooling or cycling to work while the maintenance is taking place, as this could be a gift card or a prime parking spot once the work is done. If you pull it off, it’ll cut down on vehicle demand and also become a nice way to get your staff talking and working together on a solution. It’s a win for parking space in general.
With this advice, we hope you can better manage a closed off parking area. If not, remote work may always be there to help you out.
