Category: Diamond Award for Organizational Leadership Heller Ehrman White & McAuliffe LLP, Seattle Christopher Cripps, Director of Administration Cindy Hanahan, Human Resources Coordinator Sean Harper, Receptionist and Employee Transportation Coordinator

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Increased incentives result in 34% decline in SOV rate

Heller Ehrman White & McAuliffe LLP ranks among the top 20 law firms in the United States and in 2003, the firm ranked 9th nationally for pro bono work, according to the AmLaw 100 Survey. While not part of a national survey, Heller Ehrman also ranks highly in its commitment to its employees and the environment, garnering the firm a 2003 Diamond Award for Organizational Leadership.

Heller Ehrman provides subsidies to employees for transit, vanpool and ferry use as well as incentives in the form of Commuter Bonus Plus vouchers for carpoolers, walkers and bicyclists. In January 2002, the firm’s management re-evaluated its allocation of resources and ultimately increased employee commute benefits, further encouraging alternative mode use.

These incentives, partnered with Guaranteed Ride Home service, flextime, telework and compressed workweek schedules, and the firm’s corporate membership with Flexcar, provide employees with a comprehensive CTR program that has resulted in a reduction of 34% in Heller Ehrman’s SOV rate since the last survey year. "Heller Ehrman’s recognition of both the direct and indirect costs associated with all alternative commute modes and their valuable effort to subsidize these costs makes its program stand out from the crowd," said King County Metro Employer Transportation Representative Heather Follings.

Employee Transportation Coordinator Sean Harper promotes Heller Ehrman’s program through weekly emails, bulletin boards, special semi-annual announcements and handouts, as well as personalized assistance to new employees. "Sean is a vital information source for many of his co-workers and fellow commuters," said Follings. "To top it off, Sean takes the extra step for new employees, assisting them in personalized commute planning before their first day of work!"

Heller Ehrman also participates in the building-wide commute trip reduction program provided by Equity Office Properties in the Bank of America Tower. This partnership allows the firm to provide FlexPasses to all employees, carpool registration with the STAR Carpool Program, employee access to on-site showers, lockers and bicycle racks, and a variety of other CTR incentives. "The FlexPass program has been particularly helpful in motivating people to try new and creative ways to commute to work," said Harper. "Our CTR program is an excellent alternative to driving alone and paying such high prices for parking in downtown Seattle."

*Some definitions: An “ETC” is the staff-level employee transportation coordinator responsible for the daily administration of the transportation program. “SOV” stands for single-occupant vehicle, and “CTR” for commute trip reduction. 

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