2x week commute - how long is too long?

[BerryBlu]

I started my job during Covid and have a 'Hybrid' contract. We are now being told to do a min of 2 days on office. My days in or out of the office aren't specified but I don't want to rock the boat in pointing that out! I used to come in once or twice a week, sometimes per fortnight commuting into a city.

How long of a commute - if any - would you say is a reasonable argument for less office days?

Door to Door, whether I drive or use public transport the commute time is the same but I'd be interested if you thought one travel method would be acceptable for longer and why you think that.

I have one of the longest commutes in the company as I live very far out from the city I work in.

My company closed its office that I use to walk to (30mins), then opened one in London that is an easy public transport commute but, that was labelled only as a 'show/sales' office. The next office is 2-2.5 hours away.

COVID meant no office but, shortly after there were back to the office calls 2-3 days a week but, not for the original staff who lived where the office closed (Ie people like me). Last year they demanded that everyone had to travel to the main office at least once a week.

For that reason I swapped departments and found a full WFH job but, occasional trips into our London office. 5+ hour's commuting just once a week was too much for me. For the first decade I commuted 1+hour each way and then eventually decided to move to the town where my work was located.. I am still with that same company. I've already relocated once for them, I'm not doing it again ;)

Mine is just over 2hrs on way in, home longer as waiting longer for train, missing one if staying a bit later etc. Not to mention cancellations and delays of course.
We are all supposed to be in twice a week (one set day, one chosen day) but I have been able to agree once a month with my manager due to the time it takes.

My contract is office-based but I joined during Covid and was clear that it is a no-no for me at interview stage (and I would leave if it was enforced).

previous jobs were much closer to home but still amounted to min 1hr door to door, 20 min walk to station, 20 min train, 20 min walk to office. Could not even use the time productively and on way back would be longer due to train times or trains so full you could not get in. Not to mention cancelled trains at least twice a week, meaning a 20 min walk back into town to catch a bus and paying extra. Hated it.

How long is yours?

I go in twice a week, in term time it takes around an hour (30 miles) by car. In school hols it’s 45 mins max.

I couldn’t do any further and have a life as I have other commitments (horse and young child).

We choose to live rurally but that’s not my employers problem, it’s mine.

I go in 3 times a week and thank god WFH the other 2 days. It's an hour each way. That's definitely enough for me, no way would I be doing it 5 days.

I do 2 hours drive each way 3 times a week. Have been doing it for 12 years and now really hate it. It was my choice though.

I wouldn't class 20 minutes as a commute. A commute suggests a journey of some distance.