A long commute may be a deal breaker for some candidates, as a new survey from Robert Half shows that 23% of respondents have left their current employer due to a lengthy commute. If your company is trying to attract and retain workers who live in rural areas, and have long commutes because of it, you may want to start offering flexible schedules, or telecommuting options, as a way to keep workers happy.
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According to Robert Half’s latest survey, more than one in five employees (23%) have left a job because of a bad commute. Among workers in the 28 U.S. cities surveyed, respondents in Chicago, Miami, New York, and San Francisco have most often resigned for this reason.
While 39% of professionals reported their travel to and from the office has improved over the past 5 years, 22% said the trip has gotten worse. Of those who noted a negative change in their commute, 60% said their company has not taken steps to reduce the burden on employees.
Workers were asked, “Have you left a job because you had a bad commute?” Their responses:
- Yes (23%)
- No (77%)
Workers were also asked, “Has your commute gotten better or worse over the last five years?” Their responses:
- Better (39%)
- Worse (22%)
- No change (39%)
Professionals ages 18 to 34 (34%) have most often left a job because of their journey to and from the office, compared to those ages 35 to 54 (24%) and 55 and older (12%). Twenty-eight percent of male employees have quit due to a bad commute, versus 20% of women.
Workers in Miami (66%), Los Angeles (58%), New York (53%), and Charlotte (46%) noted the greatest improvement in the trip to work in the past 5 years.
More professionals ages 18 to 34 (56%) said their commute to the office has improved over the last 5 years than those ages 35 to 54 (37%) and 55 and older (24%).
Sixty-six percent of women said their company hasn’t taken action to address employees’ commute concerns versus 51% of men.
“Commutes can have a major impact on morale and, ultimately, an employee’s decision to stay with or leave a job,” said Paul McDonald, senior executive director for Robert Half. “In today’s candidate-driven market, skilled workers can have multiple offers on the table. Professionals may not need to put up with a lengthy or stressful trip to the office if there are better options available.”
McDonald added, “To help ease commuting woes, companies can offer remote work options, flexible scheduling or transportation amenities.”