What do “Poles say about commuting”? The results of the research may be surprising
The report “Poles on commuting to work” prepared by LeasingTeam Group shows that for the vast majority of Poles (81%) commuting to the place of employment is of key importance and influences the decision to accept a job offer. The research also shows that more than half of us (51.8 per cent) would start looking for a new employer in the event of a sudden change in commuting conditions, caused by, for example, the relocation of the company’s headquarters, a long-term renovation of a thoroughfare or a change in the frequency of public transport. What’s more, every fifth declared person would do it without hesitation. In addition, research clearly shows that we are very strongly attached to our place of residence. If we wanted to shorten the time spent on commuting, we would not decide to move, but would change our employer (77 per cent).
– Access to the workplace and the time spent “on the road” have a direct impact on the mood of employees and the quality of their work. Poles value work-life balance, manage their time effectively and do not want to waste it on long commutes – convinces Andżelika Majewska, Vice President of the Management Board of LeasingTeam Group. “Employers should understand and be able to accurately define the needs of employees in order to be able to implement flexible solutions that will be a bargaining chip in the recruitment process ,” adds Majewska.
We have known for a long time that a long time spent on the way to work reduces productivity and the quality of professional and private life. Almost a decade ago, research by the British Office of National Statistics showed that commuting longer than half an hour to work significantly increases anxiety levels and lowers the level of satisfaction with life.
However, not everyone considers the time spent on commuting to be wasted. 43% of respondents believe that it can be used effectively and see in it the potential for various activities. Labour market experts asked how they proposed to use it. Several answers could have been given, and the survey shows that 3/4 of us listen to music, audiobooks or podcasts on the way to work. Browsing the Internet (31.1 per cent) and talking on the phone (25.4 per cent) were also frequently indicated answers.
How do we commute to work and how much time do we spend on the road?
According to the report “Poles on commuting”, almost half of us still drive a car (46.6 per cent), although this is often associated with standing in traffic jams and parking problems. 30.1% of respondents decide to use public transport. 9.6 per cent of respondents get to work on foot or by bike. The rest combine various means of transport (6.8 per cent) or commute by employee buses (1.6 per cent).
39.1% of respondents need from 20 to 40 minutes to commute, so they spend an average of one hour on the way to and from work every day. On the other hand, one in ten of us does not take more than 10 minutes to get to work. This means that these people live close to the office or its location is very well connected with the rest of the city. Indeed, research by LeasingTeam Group shows that 13.6 per cent of people live within 1 to 5 km of work, and 6.4 per cent have less than a kilometre to work. However, most employees have more kilometers to travel – 27.2 percent from 5 to 10 km, and 25.6 percent from 10 to 20 km. The longer the route and the less efficient the means of transport, the higher the monthly expenses of employees.
“Although half of Poles do not spend more than PLN 200 per month on commuting to work, every fifth person engages financial resources exceeding PLN 400 for this purpose. This is already quite a considerable expense that can affect the employee’s budget and be an important factor when making decisions about employment or changing the workplace. It is therefore important for employers to take these costs into account and strive to offer solutions that will help reduce them – says Anna Kurczewska-Formela, Director of the Recruitment Department at LeasingTeam Professional.
How to encourage employees to commute more sustainably?
The study “Poles on commuting” showed that as many as half of commuters using their own means of transport would be willing to switch to public transport if they had a convenient connection from home to work. This shows how important the location of the workplace and the infrastructure conducive to alternative means of transport are. Another reason for not using public transport is too high ticket prices (16.2 per cent). Interestingly, as many as 70 percent of respondents could change the form of commuting if they received a subsidy from the employer.
“Companies should consider introducing financial support programs for employees using public transport. Offering additional funds to cover the costs of tickets or subscriptions motivates to choose more environmentally friendly solutions. Such initiatives contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and protecting the environment – says Anna Kurczewska-Formela, Director of the Recruitment Department at LeasingTeam Professional.
A fairly high percentage of people using public transport and commuting to work by bike or on foot indicates a growing demand for alternative means of transport. The Leasing Team Group research also shows that Poles are increasingly aware of ecology and the sharing economy. 12.8 percent of people who commute to work by car take friends working in the same area or travel as a passenger. The idea of carpooling is gaining popularity around the world. It is driven by both ideological and economic considerations, such as rising fuel prices. More and more companies are also introducing their own incentive programs and applications promoting low-emission commuting.
Returning to the “old” reality is not easy. The pandemic has accustomed us to the home office mode and taught us to manage our time more effectively. Today, as confirmed by the LeasingTeam Group research, employees can appreciate flexible solutions.
“One of the key and highly desirable aspects is the ability to adjust working hours, giving you more freedom in planning your commute. For example, employees can avoid traffic peaks by choosing different than “traditional” start and end times. This reduces travel time, reduces the stress of traffic jams and improves overall job satisfaction – suggests Anna Kurczewska-Formela, Director of the Recruitment Department at LeasingTeam Professional.
A schedule tailored to the needs, remote work, financial allowances for those using public transport or promoting carpooling or cycling are solutions that allow companies to meet the needs of employees and create a competitive advantage in the labor market. We will all benefit from this, both entrepreneurs, employees and the environment.
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