Over 92% of commuters from the Home Counties into London said that they would quit their job to work closer to home according to a survey conducted by Stop the Commute, a new job board.
This staggeringly high percentage is likely to be of no surprise to 1000s of London-bound commuters whose experience of daily stress, frequent train delays and perpetual fare rises is shared across social media each day.
Stop the Commute’s survey found that the high financial cost of commuting is the number one frustration amongst commuters (84%). This was followed by delays and overcrowding, cited by 70% and 64% respectively. A massive 77% said that they were fairly or very unhappy with their daily commute.
Threat to London-based employers, opportunity for Home Counties-based employers
Dissatisfaction amongst commuters poses a potential threat to London-based employers wanting to attract and retain talent. But it’s also an opportunity for Home Counties-based employers to attract these dissatisfied commuters by promoting comparable career opportunities and the benefits of working more locally.
Ab Hamid, Founder and Managing Partner of Stop the Commute, says, “The combination of stress, cost, overcrowding and delays means that commuters into London are extremely unhappy with their daily commute but our survey shows that 62% didn’t think there were many suitable companies in their region in the Home Counties. This is a clear opportunity for Home Counties-based employers to raise their profile amongst these potential new employees.”
He adds, “Home Counties-based employers should look at promoting a better work-life balance by highlighting the environmental, cost saving and health benefits of living and working locally. These employers should also explain the salary differential when compared with London, a concern for 16%. This becomes less significant once you remove the cost of travel and the time and stress saved from not having to commute.”
Stressed out commuters open to new challenges but want to catch up on sleep
Despite the unhappiness with their daily journey, commuters remain motivated to try new challenges. When asked what they would do with the time saved from not having to commute into London, 75% said that they would spend more time with family and friends, 61% would spend more time on keeping fit, 32% would take up a new hobby or spend more time on current hobbies, 21% would volunteer and 15% would learn a new skill or enrol on to a class. All productive, useful and healthy. However, not surprisingly, many want to make up for their early starts – 47% said that they would sleep more!
-ENDS-
