Typical commuting expectations
When searching for a new job, what’s important to you? Salary? Company culture? Role responsibilities? Whether you’ve considered it yet or not, when weighing up job offers, the commute you could be undertaking on a daily basis is extremely important.
A “bad” commute can have a negative impact on mental health, overall job satisfaction and can leave you out of pocket. According to research conducted by the University of West England, just a 20-minute increase in commute time is as bad as a 19% per pay cut for job satisfaction.
But what commute is reasonable and what is not? There is a number of factors to take into account when working out the pros and cons of whether a certain commute works for you.
Type of commute
There are various ways to get to work every day and each individual’s preferred option will be very different. Some people may choose to walk or cycle to work, others might opt to use their car or public transport.
You have to weigh up the options here and find what fits you best. Your place of work isn’t accessible via public transport and isn’t within walking distance? You’ll have to drive or cycle. Don’t want to drive twice a day? Pick the train or bus and relax (somewhat) during your commute.
It’s good to keep in mind though that all the different types of commute have different effects on your health and wellbeing.
Length of commute
The UK’s average commute time is 54 minutes compared to the EU’s 37.5 minutes. Shockingly, over 3.7 million workers in the country travel for two hours or longer every weekday. If you’re willing to take on such a commute, the number of job options opens up for you. However, sacrifices have to be made for long commutes and your work-life balance has to reassessed risking your social and family time.
Cost of commute
Is it worth taking that job further away with a higher salary if the amount spent on the commute means you’re not actually making any extra money? The amount of money you spend on your commute is another factor to consider and will all depend on the mode of transport you decide on.
A bike may initially be expensive, but by making that investment you’re saving money in the long term and getting the benefit of exercise. If using public transport, buying an annual season may seem like a large amount of money to part with but there will be a cost saving in the long run. Taking your vehicle might be your best option depending on how much petrol you’re using a week and the current cost of fuel. It’s all about weighing up your options and finding the right mix for you.
At NC Associates, if you let us know your commuting preferences we can match you with roles that suit your expectations. If you’re looking for a new role get in touch with a member of our team today.
