Employers may find that they could increase the productivity of their workforce by introducing a flexible working policy which allows people to carry out their jobs from home, after new research has revealed how long Britons spend commuting.
According to Trades Union Congress (TUC), UK workers spend 21.8 million hours travelling to and from their workplace every day.
This equates to some £266 million worth of working time being spent commuting.
The TUC used the Labour Force Survey to calculate its findings and revealed that the average commute now lasts 52.6 minutes every day, with employees in London travelling for the longest period – 74.2 minutes.
Brendan Barber, TUC general secretary, said: "Not only is the amount of time commuting an issue, the nine to five culture with its peak travel times generates congestion on the rail, underground and road networks and as a consequence, increases stress for commuters."
Employers may therefore wish to allow workers to choose to work from home on suitable days.
Indeed, Ruth Spellman, chief executive of the Chartered Management Institute, recently stated flexibility in working hours can allow people and time to be managed more effectively.
The Government needs to reduce commuting times and encourage workforce mobility. Lengthy commuting directly impacts CO2 levels, it impacts on work-life balance, increased worker stress, reduced worker productivity and impacts the social fabric of the family through absence. Long distance travel also means more miles being travelled, with the resulting impact on transport infrastructure through wear and tear. There is a business case for the Government to encourage workforce mobility. I would suggest they revisit the Relocation Tax Allowance of £8,000 that has been stuck at that level for over 15 years. I would also suggest they revisit Stamp Duty on property, lowering the rates and smoothing the slab effect. Finally, help people on Housing Benefit to relocate to where the work is and where the rent is cheaper (this in turn reduces the HB burden on the country). Encourage people to live closer to work – it can save the country millions and empty our roads and railways.