bicycle and pedestrian travel
SEMCOG outdoor community event booths promoting sustainable transportation in Southeast Michigan.

Commuter Challenge Kicks Off May 1

Commuters are encouraged to take green travel options that save money and reduce the number of miles driven, which improves air quality and reduces congestion.
Iris SteinbergApr. 19 2024
community and economic development
A person works on a laptop at a kitchen table while a child sits beside them drawing, with breakfast items and a tablet nearby.

Working Remotely With Kids – Summer Edition

While figuring out the school year has its own complications, summertime can also throw a curveball into your working routine.
Iris SteinbergJul. 8 2022
community and economic development
A group of people gathered indoors for a ribbon‑cutting ceremony, with several individuals holding a large red ribbon while others stand behind them watching.

SEMCOG Returns to Work in a Hybrid Environment

Iris Steinberg considers the merits of a hybrid workplace.
Iris SteinbergMay. 26 2022
community and economic development
Two people walk along a downtown sidewalk lined with storefronts, streetlights, large planters, and outdoor seating near a restaurant called “Diamonds Steak & Seafood.”

How to Combat Increasing Gas Prices

Iris Steinberg reviews commuting options to help keep transportation costs (and emissions) down.
Iris SteinbergApr. 28 2022
community and economic development
Open laptop on a table displaying a video conference with multiple participants, surrounded by office items including a mug, phone, notebook, glasses, and stationery in a modern living room workspace.

Staying Productive in a Home Work Environment

Working from home involves figuring out the best place(s) to work, the best times to get work done, and how to set boundaries between work and personal life.
Iris SteinbergApr. 7 2022
community and economic development
Open white-framed window letting in sunlight, with leafy green trees visible outside and a small glass vase of yellow flowers on the windowsill.

Avoiding Burnout from Remote Work

While remote work can seem like a perk at first, burnout can happen no matter where your office is located.
Iris SteinbergMar. 21 2022
education
A digital map titled “Southeast Michigan ParkFinder” displays the seven‑county Southeast Michigan region outlined with a dark border. The map is filled with hundreds of small green tree icons representing parks and recreational sites scattered throughout the area, including around Detroit, Ann Arbor, and the surrounding suburbs. Major highways, cities, and water features such as Lake St. Clair and the Detroit River are clearly visible, and navigation controls appear in the upper right corner.

Working from home with children

Switching from working in an office to working at home can be a big adjustment. Working from home with children can make that adjustment even more challenging.
Iris SteinbergAug. 10 2020
transportation
A cozy home workspace features a wooden desk positioned beside a window with several potted plants and natural light streaming in. On the desk are an open laptop, a pair of eyeglasses, a notebook, and a smartphone, creating an organized work‑from‑home setup. A blue wooden chair is pulled up to the desk, and nearby, a small side table and a cushioned sofa with pillows sit against the wall. Shelves with neatly arranged books and decorative items complete the comfortable living‑and‑working environment.

Telework: The Importance of a Routine

SEMCOG employees have been working from home since mid-March due to COVID-19. Iris Steinberg discusses her experience and the importance of routines.
Iris SteinbergJun. 23 2020
regionalism
Brown fluffy dog rests its head on a laptop keyboard, looking upward while sitting close to the open computer.

Working from Home

According to the Association for Commuter Transportation, 85% of workers in the US are working from home. Iris Steinberg discusses tips for this new normal.
Iris SteinbergApr. 27 2020