AC Buses to Retain Tech Employees

IT companies have high employee attrition rates. And they have tried every HR practice in the book to keep attrition under control. Yet there is one thing they have not offered employees as a retention tool.

Drive down Silk Board Junction to Electronics City in Bangalore - one of the busiest traffic stretches  -  and you see several IT company buses ferrying employees to work. These buses offer the same levels of comfort as Bangalore's local transport buses and the commute is tiring and frustrating. Why dont companies provide air conditioned buses for employees instead of regular buses? It can make a big difference in employee satisfaction levels.

AC buses ensure employees are ferried to and from work in comfort. They dont have to hear blaring horns or noisy vehicles. On hot days they won't sweat in the heat. When employees reach office they would be fresh and ready for the day. The cost of AC buses is far more than regular buses. But the advantages companies will gain are several.

The biggest advantage companies providing an AC bus service would have is that it will be seen as a differentiator by employees. When all else matches - job role, office location, employee perks - employees might choose not to make the shift to another company since they get to go to work in an AC bus as against a regular bus. Consider the impact it can have when employees in an AC bus wave to rival company employees traveling in a non-AC bus on a hot summer afternoon! 

The other advantages could be the fact that there are employees commuting in a noise free environment. The commute time could be used for training. Organization wide training courses on communication skills or presentation skills are ideally suited for delivery in an AC bus using LCD displays. Also, HR teams could use the commute to  interact with employees. Tax consultants can have tax return forms filled out on the bus. Financial advisors can offer investment advice. Others who want to popularize their services with employees can use the commute to do so. Also with charging points in place, employees can even work on their laptops. Considering the advantages the cost may make the option worth exploring.

Commuting in the AC buses operated by the BMTC has shown that commuting  can be a pleasurable experience. Is this the next employee perk?