New research from the UK’s leading independent job board, CV-Library has found that over two-thirds of the nation’s workers (69.1%) are losing up to 16 days a year commuting to and from work, with over a third (38.6%) of professionals commuting for up to two hours a day.
The survey of 1,200 workers sought to explore how professionals feel about their commute, and whether they are using it to their advantage. Some of the top-line findings include:
- Over three quarters (79.9%) of workers commute to work five days a week
- 9% of professionals say that they enjoy their commute
- BUT, two thirds (66.2%) would be willing to relocate to make their commute shorter
- …And 57.3% would turn down a job that required a longer commute
Lee Biggins, founder and managing director of CV-Library, comments: “Unfortunately, commuting is often part of the job, especially for those living in bigger cities where inner-city housing can be expensive or in short supply. That said it’s alarming to learn that many professionals could be losing days, even weeks, each year to their commute. But at least some do appear to be enjoying it!”
Making the most of your commute
With so much of our time being spent commuting, it’s important that we make the most of it. CV-Library’s study did find that almost half (47.1%) of workers would like to use their commuting time more wisely. When asked what they currently do on their commute, respondents cited that they listen to music (33%), read (11.1%), use the time to learn new things (6.1%), work (5.4%) and catch-up with friends (3.8%).
Biggins continues: “While it’s good to see that many use this time to do recreational activities instead of overworking themselves, it’s clear that many wish they could make better use of this time. However, this could prove difficult for the majority who are stuck behind the wheel during their journey. Working during long commutes, or doing nothing if you’re unable to, brings about the discussion of work-life balance. Are professionals losing too much of their free time travelling to and from work?”
Whether you’re commuting by car, public transport, or on foot, discover a few ways that you can make the most of your commute here.