Intelligent CXO Issue 49 | Page 25

BUSINESS STRATEGY

The impact of commuting on employee happiness

The world of work is changing faster than ever before, and one of the most significant shifts in recent years has been how and where employees work. Commuting, once an accepted and unavoidable part of daily life, has come under scrutiny as businesses and workers reassess its impact on productivity, wellbeing and overall happiness. WorkL research consistently highlights that commute times and conditions play a vital role in employee satisfaction. Drawing on his 40 years of business experience, including his time as Managing Director of Waitrose and founding WorkL, Lord Mark Price explores the impact of the commute and what can be done about it.

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The hidden cost of commuting
For decades, employees have accepted long commutes as the price of career advancement and job security. However, the pandemic dramatically shifted perceptions, revealing that many roles can be performed efficiently without daily travel. WorkL’ s data shows a strong correlation between commute dissatisfaction and lower workplace happiness, making it imperative for businesses to re-evaluate their stance on traditional office set-ups.
Time lost and productivity concerns
Commuting consumes valuable time that could otherwise be used for productive work or personal pursuits. The average worker in major cities spends between one to two hours daily commuting. Over a year, this adds up to hundreds of hours lost in transit. This is time that could be spent on professional development, creative problem-solving or simply
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