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Category:
Diamond Award Outdoor Research, Seattle
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Listen to one of the ads featuring this winner! (Produced and broadcast by KUOW.) |
Outdoor Research
designs practical program to fit culture and employees
Outdoor Research of Seattle develops and manufactures innovative products
for outdoor recreation and travel. Focus is placed on quality, functionality
and versatility. The organization’s employee commute trip reduction
program shares the same qualities, providing a variety of incentives for
all commute modes and has earned Outdoor Research a 2003 Commuter Challenge
Diamond Award for Organizational Leadership.
In 2003, Outdoor Research raised its monthly transit subsidy from $50 to $65 to further assist employees in offsetting the cost of their commutes. While carpoolers, bicyclists and walkers do not receive a monetary subsidy, Outdoor Research looks for ways to reward them for their commute choices. "This is an example of a smaller company that, over the years, has continued to promote CTR in ways that allow them to grow the program whenever and however they can to meet employee needs," said King County Metro Employer Transportation Representative Jane Finch.
Carpooling is the number one mode used by Outdoor Research employees. Fully 31% of the CTR-affected employees commute in this manner. ETC Keiko Welch provides internal ridematching services for employees looking for carpooling or vanpooling partners, and also assists employees with RideshareOnline.com as an additional source of possible ride matches. Employees are regularly reminded of Outdoor Research’s commuter program through posters in elevators and stuffers in paychecks. Not only does this help market the program to new hires, it serves to increases awareness about alternative modes of commuting to all employees, especially those who regularly hunt for scarce parking in the SODO District.
With a location in the SODO District of Seattle, employees can easily access Metro transit connections to the areas where the majority of employees reside. The worksite also is near a Flexcar location allowing those with memberships in the program an excellent alternative to driving their own car to work.
Because of the nature of the company’s business as an outdoor equipment manufacturer, non-motorized commute modes also are highly promoted. The company encourages bicycling to work by providing top of the line facilities for bicycle commuters. A safe and secure covered storage area is available for cyclists, as are showers and lockers. Loaner bicycles also are available for employee use during the day to run personal errands or just to take for a reinvigorating ride. Welch plans to meet with staff to re-evaluate the program and learn how to better promote some of the lesser-known benefits. "Many members of the management team ride bicycles, kick-scooters or walk to work. And those who aren’t able to use an alternative mode for their commute often telework one day a week," said Welch. "It also helps that the company president bikes to work in pretty much any weather, save a torrential downpour!"
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Commute Program
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*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.