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Original poster

is 10.5 hours out of the house every day normal for a basic admin role?

48 replies

Candlebay · 12/10/2023 20:00

I was at my previous job for 14 years and the hours were 8am to 4pm, with a 20 minute drive each way. I've just started a new job after redundancy and the hours are 8:30am to 5pm but I now hit rush hour traffic so the drive each way is taking 50 mins. To make sure that I'm not late, I leave at 7:30am and I'm getting home just before 6pm - it feels like a very long day! By the time I've had a shower, cooked and cleared away it's almost 8pm. l guess I'm curious if this is a standard day for those in similar roles? Should I stop whinging?!

OP posts:
user1846385927482658 · 12/10/2023 20:01

That sounds pretty standard to me. You'll get used to it.

Yajebbend · 12/10/2023 20:02

similar for me I don’t count the drive as I use it to listen to books, podcasts and make calls

9am -10pm for me but I do go gym 5 times a week

Original poster
Candlebay · 12/10/2023 20:04

I hope so, at the moment I'm constantly shattered!

OP posts:
saraclara · 12/10/2023 20:07

I used my journey in to come round and get into the frame of mind for work, and my journey home to process the work day, put it away, and be ready for family life.
It took a while for me to realise the value of that, but I actually came to appreciate the transition time where it was just 'me time' and I could breathe.

ChocolateCroissantCafe · 12/10/2023 20:12

It's fairly standard, but yes, it can feel like you don't get much down time before the next day begins (IMO).

Original poster
Candlebay · 12/10/2023 20:35

Thanks for the replies. It is the lack of evening downtime that I'm missing, I'm in bed by 10pm so it leaves very little time for anything else. I didn't realise how lucky I was before!

OP posts:
user1846385927482658 · 12/10/2023 21:00

Are there specific activities you used to do that you can't fit in? Or just general decompression time? Because as pp say you can learn to use the commute for that.

UsingChangeofName · 12/10/2023 21:01

Well the commute sounds pretty normal (short, for some - I can't get to my office in 50mins).
If you are having a 30min lunch break then that means you are working 8 hour das, which is a bit longer than most office roles which tend to be 7.5hrs but not all are - depends on the employer.
The commute, however, is normal.

Daffidale · 12/10/2023 21:13

Could you ask about shifting your hours slightly to 8-5? Might help with the morning commute at least.

TarantinoIsAMisogynist · 12/10/2023 21:16

1hr 40mins of that time is down to your commute though, which has nothing to do with the role. Your commute would be the same regardless of the job you're doing.

letmesailletmesail · 12/10/2023 21:17

I think 8.30 - 5 are standard hours. What is the variable is the commute. I've always had commutes of between 45 mins - 90 mins each way apart from a sixth month period when I was on secondment as it was only 10 mins. That was incredible. I just had so much more time.
Are you looking for jobs closer to home?

TarantinoIsAMisogynist · 12/10/2023 21:17

1hr 40mins of that time is down to your commute though, which has nothing to do with the role. Your commute would be the same regardless of the job you're doing.

Unexpectedlysinglemum · 12/10/2023 22:16

Can you move hours to miss rush hour?

Original poster
Candlebay · 13/10/2023 06:56

I did ask at my interview if I could work 8 to 4:30 but they said no due to business needs. It's only a 7 mile drive but the traffic is bumper to bumper the whole way (I managed to avoid this in my previous job). I appreciate this is the norm for lots of people so I'll see how it goes.

OP posts:
VisaWoes · 13/10/2023 06:58

Is the route safe to cycle? I cycle a 7 mile journey to work every day, takes me 30 mins.

PurBal · 13/10/2023 06:59

Normal but shit.

Hellinthekitchen · 13/10/2023 07:05

It takes you an hour to drive 7 miles?! It takes me an hour to drive 30 miles to work! In rush hour!

Would it be like this for any job you got ie in the same area? I'd probably start looking for another job with more flexibility (I only go into the office one day a week now) or an easier location to get to!

letspopthekettleon · 13/10/2023 07:10

Can you ask for a wfh day each week to break it up?

Wonderwoman333 · 13/10/2023 07:10

Yes this is standard I'm afraid. Its a rubbish way to live though.

clary · 13/10/2023 07:13

If you have an hour for lunch, can you ask for it to be 30 mins so you can leave at 4.30 and maybe get home for just after 5?

May not suit the business tho.

My day is similar - office role, 45 mins drive, leave around 8am, rarely get home before 6.30

UsingChangeofName · 13/10/2023 20:05

It takes you an hour to drive 7 miles?! It takes me an hour to drive 30 miles to work! In rush hour!

Yes, it would easily take an hour to drive 7miles into my City Centre in rush hour 2 hours too. On a good day that is. If I needed to be at a meeting that started at that time, I'd leave longer than an hour, by far (plus add on parking, walking from where you park etc).

clary · 13/10/2023 20:30

Sorry op I missed your update. My 45 min commute is about 28 miles!

If a seven mile commute is taking almost an hour, I would look for a better way tbh.

Could you cycle it all - seven miles is about 30-40 mins depending on speed? Or drive the quick bit (if there is a quick bit - the first 20 miles of my commute takes about 18 mins!) and walk the rest - say 1-1.5 miles? Or a mix of drive/bike? I’d be desperate to cut that time.

Grapefruitsquash · 15/10/2023 22:55

Hellinthekitchen · 13/10/2023 07:05

It takes you an hour to drive 7 miles?! It takes me an hour to drive 30 miles to work! In rush hour!

Would it be like this for any job you got ie in the same area? I'd probably start looking for another job with more flexibility (I only go into the office one day a week now) or an easier location to get to!

It takes me 1.5 hours minimum to drive 12 miles. I hate it but no choice.

Waitingandwaitingg · 18/10/2023 11:55

I leave the house at 6.30am and get home at 6.30pm. Its standard these days.

Is public transport not an option or not quicker ?

NextD00rR00m · 18/10/2023 12:11

Depending on where you live
You may see less traffic if you leave before 7am