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Original poster

30 min commute for this wage?

181 replies

redundant2 · 19/05/2025 14:16

I am being made redundant and have a job I can apply for but I’m wondering if it’s worth it for the drive
currently earn 27k WFH
new job would be 29k but hours are 8am - 6pm with a 30 min drive each way
it’s also a notorious motorway for constant accidents!

jobs either seem to be min wage or 40k stuff I’m not qualified for so I’m struggling a bit

OP posts:
Mumof2girls2121 · 19/05/2025 15:40

Apply if you don’t like it apply for something else!

Chewbecca · 19/05/2025 15:40

The HMRC job - does it have a civil service pension? That's worth a lot on top of the wage. Plus they are often flexitime. Might be worth a second look.
I think 30 mins commute is ok but 8-6 is not.

Gizlotsmum · 19/05/2025 15:41

Honestly it doesn’t sound like the right job for you. If you can find work nearer home/fewer hours then apply for those roles. Would you b entitled to any benefits on a lower wage (so might not be as much of a drop as you think)?

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Employment advice
MrsDoubtfire123 · 19/05/2025 15:41

NotDonna · 19/05/2025 14:48

This is why disabled people struggle to work. So sorry you’re in this position op.

THIS !!! There needs to be more available WFH jobs and / or flexibility… so that disabled people have the opportunity to work. They deserve that chance, Makes me angry ! So sorry OP you have to experience this.

Original poster
redundant2 · 19/05/2025 15:45

Crushed23 · 19/05/2025 15:39

£29k salary for 40 hours a week - what’s the industry and which part of the country? Can you go for the £40k jobs and learn on the job? You don’t have to match qualifications/experience 100% to apply.

I can’t believe employers think it’s acceptable to pay someone £29k pa for a 40 hour contract in 2025. Minimum wage for those hours is just under £26k.

Fairly normal TBH, I’ve never really earned much above min wage
NW area, call centre for a luxury brand (like Rolex/porsche)

OP posts:
Crushed23 · 19/05/2025 15:48

redundant2 · 19/05/2025 15:45

Fairly normal TBH, I’ve never really earned much above min wage
NW area, call centre for a luxury brand (like Rolex/porsche)

Show quote history

As you have 18 years of experience, could you apply for a supervisor or manager position? That should hopefully pay more than £29k. Is there another earner in the household? Do you have any dependents? It’s a very low salary to live on without help, I assume. The labour market needs to catch up with current COL…

lovehearts88 · 19/05/2025 15:49

When you factor in petrol it could end up not being worth it. I had a 30 minute each way commute and spent around 150 a month on petrol.

Original poster
redundant2 · 19/05/2025 16:06

Crushed23 · 19/05/2025 15:48

As you have 18 years of experience, could you apply for a supervisor or manager position? That should hopefully pay more than £29k. Is there another earner in the household? Do you have any dependents? It’s a very low salary to live on without help, I assume. The labour market needs to catch up with current COL…

Show quote history

No dependants and just me
I applied for a supervisor position but haven’t heard back. Most want experience but I can’t get experience without the job

OP posts:
binkie163 · 19/05/2025 16:08

I WFH for a large London company, they decided to open a satellite office 8 miles from me as they wanted me to train up more people. Lovely village office but on a main commuter road meaning 60-90 mins each way at rush hour. I said I would do it if my hours were 7am-3pm to miss the traffic. It worked well for a year but tbh I am not a team player and work better alone. I set up my own business and never looked back that was 30 years ago. I exceeded my salary every year working much less hours.
Due you have useable skills to start up on your own, are there grants available.

ArseInTheCoOpWindow · 19/05/2025 16:10

houseofstark · 19/05/2025 14:44

I don’t think the commute is bad but I wouldn’t want to work 8-6. What are your current working hours?

This!

What happened to 9-5?

Talk about hours creep.

mindutopia · 19/05/2025 16:13

I have a chronic illness and I used to commute 3 hours door to door each way 3 days a week. It’s a perfectly normal commute.

I’m not personally sure I’d work 8-6 for that salary, but that’s a different issue. Depends what’s normal for the work you do.

Original poster
redundant2 · 19/05/2025 16:30

ArseInTheCoOpWindow · 19/05/2025 16:10

This!

What happened to 9-5?

Talk about hours creep.

Show quote history

The best I’ve found is 8.30-5pm so far

OP posts:
Wexone · 19/05/2025 16:34

mindutopia · 19/05/2025 16:13

I have a chronic illness and I used to commute 3 hours door to door each way 3 days a week. It’s a perfectly normal commute.

I’m not personally sure I’d work 8-6 for that salary, but that’s a different issue. Depends what’s normal for the work you do.

That is not a perfectly normal commute
just because you can do it with your chronic illness that does not mean someone else can not
I have a chronic illness and i struggle with one on day 2 hour each way commute

B1indEye · 19/05/2025 16:48

mindutopia · 19/05/2025 16:13

I have a chronic illness and I used to commute 3 hours door to door each way 3 days a week. It’s a perfectly normal commute.

I’m not personally sure I’d work 8-6 for that salary, but that’s a different issue. Depends what’s normal for the work you do.

Where do you Iibe that 3 hours each way is a normal commute, of course it's not.

I agree that 8- 6 5 days a week is a lot of hours, how many calls does this luxury brand even get per day?

Original poster
redundant2 · 19/05/2025 16:53

B1indEye · 19/05/2025 16:48

Where do you Iibe that 3 hours each way is a normal commute, of course it's not.

I agree that 8- 6 5 days a week is a lot of hours, how many calls does this luxury brand even get per day?

Show quote history

8-6 isn’t my current job, the brand I currently work for I do around 110 calls a day plus emails and web chat
the new job isn’t call centre work

OP posts:
MH0084 · 19/05/2025 17:08

Perhaps this is more about opportunity cost rather than the salary. If you think the new job would bring you better opportunities in the future, then maybe it’s worth it.

RaininSummer · 19/05/2025 17:17

Not sure that 30 mins even counts as at commute. I work quite locally to my house but it still takes 25 mins min to get there.

Boredlass · 19/05/2025 17:18

30 mins is nothing for a commute

DelphiniumDoreen · 19/05/2025 17:18

What’s the alternative?

Apply and apply for anything that might be suitable including those £40k jobs. You might surprise yourself.

Leaving at 7.30am and getting home at 6.30pm is a long day. If there’s a hold up it will be even longer. I agree with the hours creep. It’s shit. Back in the day it 9am to 5pm with an hour for lunch and little to no stress.

Original poster
redundant2 · 19/05/2025 17:42

Boredlass · 19/05/2025 17:18

30 mins is nothing for a commute

I guess it might not be to a healthy person but on top of 8-6 daily and not a great wage…
if the wage was better I would use the extra for a cleaner to relieve some of the fatigue

OP posts:
Original poster
redundant2 · 19/05/2025 17:46

Like this. 24k and they want previous experience? Surely 24k is a starting salary for a first role, not one you move to after previous experience

sorry I’ve gone totally off topic now and just having a rant about hours and wages! If I’m paid ok I’ll work more hours because I can outsource stuff

my dream wage is 32k

30 min commute for this wage?
OP posts:
Communitywebbing · 19/05/2025 17:51

You’re saying pretty clearly that you can’t manage this. I hope you find something that works better for you.

RampantIvy · 19/05/2025 17:57

pinkdelight · 19/05/2025 14:25

30min is nothing, even with your context. Even totting it up to an hour because it’s twice a day it’s really minor as commutes go.

You clearly don't get it, do you?

Under normal circumstances 30 minutes is nothing, but you have immediately dismissed @redundant2's concerns.

Shame on you.

Stickortwigs · 19/05/2025 17:58

8am to 6pm is a long day.

JillMW · 19/05/2025 19:24

Apply, also apply for other posts. It is much easier to get another job while you are working. 8 to 6 sounds awful but my oh did it and enjoyed the 90 minute lunch break.
Most people panic about redundancy but most end up happier in the long term. Remember experience does not mean in that same role, it is about matching your ability to the job spec.
I wish you luck and a happy work situation.