May 13 is Commencement Day – Help Reduce Traffic by Working a Flexible Schedule

On May 13, Emory again will welcome more than 15,000 guests for Commencement. Since that Monday is also a work day, many guests and staff members will find themselves enduring increased traffic and competing for limited parking. The result for many is frustration at best.

As part of our effort to reduce the negative impact of traffic and critical parking constraints, we ask your help in actively assessing your workforce and identifying staff members who do not need to be on campus on the morning of May 13 for mission-critical or Commencement-support roles. Formal or informal telecommuting, home assignments, or flexible schedules are possible alternatives. For staff members who must report, please encourage organized carpooling. Every car removed from the streets, decks, and lots makes a significant difference for the graduates and their families.

Your active encouragement and support of this effort will signal to staff that this request has the endorsement of Emory’s leadership, including the cabinet. Such flexibility also contributes to the quality of a day that is special to our many visitors. To assist managers on work flexibility and telecommuting, the worklife resource center has useful guidelines at www.worklife.emory.edu/workplaceflexibility.