How did you get to work today? Did you commute smart for Commute Smart week?

By PRSD, on Monday, November 9, 2009

Workers in the South West spend 45 minutes a day commuting to work, according to a TUC analysis of official statistics published today.

The TUC research is published to coincide with the start of Workwise UK’s Commute Smart week (November 9-13) and finds that £266 million worth of working time is spent travelling to and from work every day.

The TUC analysis finds that men working full–time spend 7.6 minutes longer commuting than women who work full-time. Workers in well-paid jobs such as managers and senior officials (68.6 minutes) and professionals (61.4 minutes) have the longest commute times while those in low paid occupations such as cleaners and labourers (40.4 minutes) and retail and customer services (41.4 minutes) have the shortest commutes.

Employees working part-time have shorter average commute times than full-time workers. Men working full-time spend 60.4 minutes commuting compared to 42 minutes for men working part-time. Women working full-time spend 52.8 minutes travelling to work compared to 38.6 minutes for women working part-time.

The South West TUC’s Regional Secretary Nigel Costley, told the PRSD: “Staff experience a double whammy of working some of the longest hours in Europe and then spending three quarters of an hour every day getting to and from work.

“The South West is a large rural region but travel times to work are lower than in congested urban regions. But all the wasted working time spent stuck on crowded trains and traffic jams costs the economy over a quarter of a billion pounds every year, not to mention the stress it causes staff and the time it means they miss spending with friends and family.

“Gender, pay and the amount of hours worked all affect average commute times. It seems the more you earn, the longer you have to travel to earn it. Parents who can’t do long commutes because of school or nursery runs often have to take lower paid work nearer home instead.

“With employers focused on getting through the recession, many will have taken their eye off the ball in offering flexible working. But remote working and flexible shifts can reduce commute times, save on office space and reduce energy costs – saving companies money and helping staff enjoy a better work life balance.”

• How long does it take you to get to work? And what do you do on the journey? Let us know and leave a comment below, please.

(image from cycling.com)