Transportation Alternatives

Alternative Work Schedules

Help Your Team Avoid Rush Hour

Most people don’t enjoy being stuck in traffic, especially during the busiest times of the day. Fortunately, there are simple ways to make commuting easier for your staff. Two great options are flextime and compressed workweeks.

Flextime

Flextime allows employees to adjust their start and end times, as long as they are in the office during set core hours.

For example, if your core hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., employees can choose to arrive as early as 8 a.m. and leave as late as 6 p.m. This gives them more flexibility and helps them avoid peak traffic times.

Compressed Workweek

With a compressed schedule, employees work longer hours each day but fewer days each week.

Some examples include:

• Working 10 hours a day for 4 days a week
• Working 9 hours a day and taking every other Friday off

This approach gives employees more time off and can help them save on commuting costs.

Telework Programs

Thinking About Telework? We Can Help.

The key to a successful telework program is having a clear plan. That means deciding who can work from home and what’s expected of them.

Some businesses may have employees work from home full-time. Others might start with just one day a week. No matter the setup, it’s important to explain how teleworkers will be evaluated and what their responsibilities are.

And here’s the good news:

Numerous studies have shown that companies that allow staff to work from home, even just one day a week, see big boosts in productivity and employee morale. Plus, telework can help reduce your need for office space and lower your utility bills!

Frederick County Employer Connection is here to help. We can guide your business through every step, from starting a small pilot program to building a full telework policy.

Incentives for Businesses Offering Telework

Maryland-based companies that offer subsidies to cover employees’ telework-related expenses, including internet access, computer equipment, telephone service, co-working memberships, or job-related software, can receive the Maryland Commuter Tax Credit. The tax credit allows employers to claim 50% of the subsidy amount provided to employees, up to a maximum of $100 per employee per month.

Check out our Telework Guide to learn more!

Transportation Benefit Programs

Support Your Team’s Commute with Transit Benefits

Helping employees cover the cost of public transportation is a smart way to improve job satisfaction and reduce commuting stress.

The IRS recently announced that in 2026, employers can offer up to $340 per month as a tax-free benefit for public transit and vanpool expenses. Employees can also choose to set aside the same amount pre-tax through payroll deductions. This benefit can significantly lower commuting costs for employees while offering tax advantages for employers.

If your business is located near a Transit stop or MARC station, this is a great opportunity to support your team and encourage sustainable commuting.

Frederick County Employer Connection can help you explore your options, from setting up a transit benefit to promoting it to your staff.

Learn more about how to support your staff’s commute.

Parking Management

Tired of a Crowded Parking Lot? We Can Help

We are used to searching for parking at the grocery store or the mall, but it should not be part of the daily routine at work. Crowded parking lots are not just frustrating; they can also be unsafe.

Frederick County Employer Connection offers simple solutions for businesses dealing with parking challenges.

One easy way to reduce the number of cars is to encourage employees to carpool or join a vanpool. You can even reward them with the best parking spots. Consider reserving a few spaces just for employees who sign up to share rides.

Another option is to offer a monthly payment to employees who give up their parking space. This is called a parking cash out. It gives employees a reason to consider other ways of getting to work and helps free up valuable parking.

We are here to help you explore these options and find the right fit for your workplace.

Emergency Preparedness

Be Ready for the Unexpected

Winter storms, flu outbreaks, and other emergencies can keep employees from getting to the office. That is why it is important for every business to have a plan to keep things running when staff cannot be on site.

Frederick County Employer Connection can help your team create an emergency preparedness plan that keeps your business moving during unexpected events. Whether that means setting up telework options or organizing carpools during an evacuation, we can provide the tools and guidance you need to stay prepared and keep operations on track.

Carpool / Vanpool Formation

Save Money and Reduce Traffic with Carpooling and Vanpooling

The idea is simple: if everyone carpooled just one day a week, we could reduce traffic by 20 percent, and employees could save 20 percent on commuting costs.

Frederick County Employer Connection is here to help your workplace make that happen. We can help your staff form carpools and vanpools that save time and money. We can even visit your worksite to host an event that connects employees who live near each other and want to share the ride.

Vanpools are a great option for employees who commute 30 miles or more. Transit Services of Frederick County offers a Vanpool Incentive Program (VIP) to help new vanpools get started. The program covers the cost of a few empty seats while the vanpool fills up. As more people join, the subsidy goes down.

Learn more about the VIP program!

Make Your Workplace Bike Friendly

Biking to work is a great option. It costs very little and offers real health benefits.

Frederick County Employer Connection can help your business support employees who bike. We can help you create workplace policies that make biking easier and more accessible.

Why offer bicycle benefits?

You might allow employees who bike to use on site showers and locker rooms. We can also connect you with companies that install bike racks, so bikes are stored safely during the workday.

Learn more about why Frederick County employers may consider bicycle benefits and amenities, what they could offer, and other supportive programs.