Why Pharma’s Recruitment Challenge Starts (and Ends) with Commuting

The pharmaceutical industry is at the forefront of medical advancements, yet it faces a persistent challenge in attracting and retaining top talent. While factors such as skills shortages and regulatory demands contribute to hiring difficulties, an often-overlooked barrier is commuting.

Long and unreliable commutes limit access to skilled candidates, particularly for on-site roles in manufacturing, research, and clinical operations. Addressing these transportation challenges is crucial for the industry's future workforce. Here’s how pharma recruitment is impacted by commuting and how Zeelo can provide a scalable solution.

What are the key recruitment challenges in pharma?

Talent shortages & geographic limitations The pharmaceutical industry struggles with a dwindling pipeline of qualified professionals, with contributing factors including:

A steadily declining talent pool - Many drug manufacturing or research roles are reliant on a specialized skillset, yet training programs are not producing enough qualified graduates to meet demand.

Remote and suburban facilities - Many pharmaceutical labs, plants and distribution centers are based in locations with limited access to public transit.

High turnover rates - Employees suffering through long and unreliable commutes are significantly more likely to seek alternative employment with better accessibility and a healthier work/life balance.

Commuting as a barrier to hiring For potential applicants, commuting can play a key role in their decision to join a company. Lengthy, costly and unreliable commutes deter potential hires in the following ways:

Long travel times - Pharmaceutical companies often position their worksites far from major urban centers; making it increasingly difficult to attract candidates without reliable transportation.

Limited public transit availability - Many manufacturing hubs are poorly connected by public transit infrastructure, in areas underserved by buses, trains or subways.

Prioritizing work/life balance - Prospective applicants are prioritizing roles that offer greater flexibility, with a stress free commute often being the deciding factor when choosing between multiple job offers.

Without affordable and accessible transportation solutions, the pharmaceutical industry risks losing out on top talent to competitors with more commuter friendly locations.

How Zeelo’s Transportation Solutions Solve Pharma’s Recruitment Challenges

Expanding recruitment catchment areas

Zeelo extends the reach of pharma companies beyond their immediate location, widening their talent pool and increasing access to skilled candidates.

Bringing in talent from further away: Zeelo enables pharmaceutical employers to hire from surrounding cities and regions, making jobs more accessible to those previously deterred by long commutes.

Supporting rural and suburban areas: Companies located in rural areas benefit from Zeelo’s tailored shuttle programs, bridging the gap where public transport falls short.

‍Improving employee retention & satisfaction

Reliable, stress-free commutes directly impact workforce stability by reducing absenteeism and turnover.

98% of Zeelo riders say transportation availability is essential to keeping their jobs.

Employees using Zeelo save an average of 83 hours annually compared to unreliable public transit.

Workers also save up to $1,491 per year on commuting costs, improving job satisfaction and financial well-being.

‍Strengthening employer branding & recruitment marketing

Companies that offer employer-funded transportation position themselves as leaders in employee well-being and innovation.

Competitive advantage: Providing a shuttle service differentiates companies in the fight for top talent.

Enhanced job offer appeal: 69% of workers say an employer-provided commute would make them more likely to accept a job.

Stronger retention: Employees with easier commutes stay longer and are more engaged at work.

Optimizing workforce planning with data-driven insight

Here at Zeelo we don’t just provide transportation, we use data to optimize hiring and workforce planning.

Analyzing commute feasibility: Zeelo’s smart routing ensures fastest, most efficient transport options for employees.

Reducing recruitment time: Transportation barriers are removed, accelerating the hiring process.

Lowering hiring costs: By making jobs more accessible, companies spend less on recruitment and onboarding due to reduced turnover.

Pharma Needs a Smarter Approach to Commuting

As the pharmaceutical industry grapples with recruitment challenges, commuting solutions offer an immediate, scalable fix.

By eliminating the transportation barriers that hinder talent acquisition and retention, Zeelo helps pharma companies fill roles faster, reduce absenteeism, and enhance workforce stability.

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Need to solve your commuting challenges? Discover how Zeelo can transform your workforce strategy today!

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