The National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) has been named one of the 2021 Best Workplaces for Commuters for offering employees exceptional commuter benefits.
NRPA is among a select group of workplaces in the United States that have achieved the Best Workplaces for Commuters National Standard of Excellence by providing an array of commuter benefits, resulting in at least 14 percent of their employee base not driving alone to work within a 12-month period. NRPA offers employees several commuter benefit options, including:
- Remote work, which reduced at least 6 percent of commute trips for all employees
- Flexible work week schedule
- Emergency Ride Home program
“NRPA is one of the top employers in the nation offering high-level commuter benefits to their employees,” said Julie Bond, Program Manager, Best Workplaces for Commuters. “NRPA made the list because they offer transportation choices that include remote work, flexible work schedules and access to Emergency Ride Home programs. NRPA gives its employees the support they need to get to and from work and be at their best before, during and after their workday.”
“We are extremely proud of our progressive commuter benefit program that saves employees time, money and stress,” said Mayra I. Morán, NRPA Director of Operations and Finance. “Our benefits give us a competitive edge in employee recruitment and retention while helping reduce traffic congestion and negative environmental impact.”
The Best Workplaces for Commuters program offers designated organizations access to a range of support services to assess and promote non-driving commuting of employees, including organizational assessment and implementation tool-kits, web-based tools and webinars, staff training and information exchange.
“The companies on this list recognize and embrace the beneficial outcomes commuter benefits have on their employees and the positive impact to the environment,” said Bond. “Excellent commuter benefit programs reward these companies not just with a national designation, but buoys workplace productivity, customer loyalty and brand recognition in an increasingly competitive marketplace.”
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About the National Recreation and Park Association
The National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) is the leading not-for-profit organization dedicated to building strong, vibrant and resilient communities through the power of parks and recreation. With more than 60,000 members, NRPA advances this mission by investing in and championing the work of park and recreation professionals and advocates — the catalysts for positive change in service of equity, climate-readiness, and overall health and well-being. For more information, visit www.nrpa.org. For digital access to NRPA’s flagship publication, Parks & Recreation, visit www.parksandrecreation.org.
About Best Workplaces for Commuters
Best Workplaces for Commuters is the national authority on recognizing and assisting workplaces that provide exceptional commuter benefits to employees. More than a recognition program, the Best Workplaces for Commuters program provides support needed to create and sustain an employer-provided commuter benefit program, including online assessment tools, advisory services, case studies, tool-kits, web-based tools, webinars and training. Best Workplaces for Commuters represents over 450 workplaces with Best Workplaces for Commuters designation representing over 2,000,000 employees. The Best Workplaces for Commuters program is managed by the Center for Urban Transportation Research (CUTR) at the University of South Florida with support from the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT).
About Center for Urban Transportation Research
The Center for Urban Transportation Research (CUTR) at the University of South Florida, established in 1988, is an internationally recognized resource for policymakers, transportation professionals and the public. CUTR provides high quality, objective expertise in the form of insightful research, in-depth policy analysis, comprehensive training and education and effective technical assistance that translates directly into benefits for CUTR’s project sponsors. CUTR’s faculty of more than 40 full-time researchers and 30 students, combines academic knowledge and extensive “real world” experience in developing innovative, implementable solutions for all modes of transportation. The multidisciplinary research faculty includes experts in economics, planning, engineering, public policy and geography. CUTR logs $21 million per year in expenditures through contracts and grants to support its research, education, training and technical assistance missions. CUTR is home to the National Institute of Congestion Reduction. In 2020, CUTR was competitively selected by the U.S. Department of Transportation as the national university transportation center focused on congestion.