Remote work aside for the moment, unless you manage to secure a position right down the street from where you live, you’re going to have to commute. The commute has long been part of the office worker’s milieu, even though remote and hybrid work had begun to make inroads before the pandemic.

Today, with post-pandemic Return-to-Office orders becoming more common, the average accounting and finance professional might once again find themselves having to weigh the length of a potential commute when considering a job offer.

In this post, we'll look at the length of the average commute, the pros and cons of commuting, and take a quick look at those Return-to-Office orders.

Length of the Average Commute

According to internet statistics hub Statista.com:

• 17% of UK commuters get to work in less than 15 minutes.
• 30% of commuters take from 15 to 30 minutes to get to work.
• 25% of UK commuters spend 30 minutes to an hour getting to work.
• 6% of commuters must endure a commute of 1 to 2 hours.
• 2% have a commute that takes more than 2 hours.

The remaining 20% of UK workers do not commute, presumably because they work from home. More on that in a few moments.

The Pros & Cons of a Lengthy Commute

Believe it or not, everything has an upside, including lengthy commutes.

Pros

• If you commute by train, you have a chance to socialise. Maybe make new friends.
• If you’re not into chatting up fellow commuters, you can take the time to relax.
• You can spend commuting time preparing for the day ahead so that you hit the ground running.

Cons

• Time spent behind the wheel or on a commuter train is time you can’t spend doing other things.
• If your transport costs are not reimbursed by your company, it can be a big expense.
• Spending hours commuting every day can undermine your enthusiasm for your job.

How to Determine if a Commute is Too Long

If you receive a job offer that brings with it a lengthy commute, here are some questions you can ask yourself to determine if it is, in fact, too lengthy.

• What is the traffic typically like on the route between your home and the job location?
• Are there alternative ways of getting to the job (e.g. train) that would be faster than driving?
• How much will it cost to get to and from the job every day?
• Is there any chance the company will allow you to set up a hybrid work schedule?
• Will all the time spent commuting interfere with personal obligations?
• Is the job worth it?

What are ‘Return-to-Office’ Orders?

By the end of 2024, some large companies are expected to implement plans for a ‘Return-to-Office’ initiative, which would see staff being asked to leave behind remote and hybrid work. Employers pursuing this feel strongly that shared physical spaces can foster heightened productivity and team cohesion, with the Return-to-Office orders aiming to harness these perceived benefits of in-person collaboration.

However, amidst this shift, there's a notable trend highlighted in our recently published Salary Guide: many candidates, having experienced the flexibility of remote work during the pandemic, express a preference for maintaining some level of remote or hybrid work arrangements. This preference stems from the advantages of remote work, such as reduced commuting time and costs, and enhanced work-life balance.

For employers too, there can be benefits – such as a broader talent pool that encompasses parents with young families, and so on.

Overall, while more companies are encouraging a return to office-based work, there is also a growing acknowledgment in society that finding the right balance between in-person and remote work is crucial – and that there are unique advantages to every option.

Contact JMF Associates Today

For outstanding finance, accountancy and bookkeeping recruitment services, trust the experts at JMF Associates. Give us a call at 020 8663 6699 or send an email to team@jmfassociates.co.uk.