I'd like to encourage employers and corporate leaders to consider whether they have sustainable salaries for their employees. Can employees raise a family while affording the requisite housing and commuting a reasonable amount?
I'm not saying extreme commutes are the employers fault alone, but employers obviously do math when they locate their employees in Manhattan. Things that don't end up in the equation like commute times are paid by someone else, like employees.
Flexible scheduling, remote work, satellite offices, etc. should be considered as part of being a responsible employer, not just a begrudged "perk" because it's too hard to keep good employees.
"Sustainable salaries" won't fix this issue, as real estate is a competitive market. If you double the salaries of everyone who works in Manhattan, you will still have the same number of people living near work, just paying more rent. A salary increase only helps you move closer to work if other people don't get an increase and you can price them out.
In the end, there are only three options: build more housing where people want to work and live (but it has to be high-rises, not houses with backyards), better remote work options, or better transport infrastructure.
I'm saying employers contribute to the poor salary/rent ratio in cities, especially when we factor in commute times. They should acknowledge the problem and help solve it as a strategic priority.
Working towards your list of ideas is a viable approach. Having core butts-in-seats hours that coincide with rush hour and not paying people enough to keep the commute down is not.
IMO there is no way around having to abandon the house+yard dream if you live in a big city. High density housing + efficient transit, or don't live in a megacity.
I'm not saying extreme commutes are the employers fault alone, but employers obviously do math when they locate their employees in Manhattan. Things that don't end up in the equation like commute times are paid by someone else, like employees.
Flexible scheduling, remote work, satellite offices, etc. should be considered as part of being a responsible employer, not just a begrudged "perk" because it's too hard to keep good employees.