Survey Shows 61% Office-Goers In India Want Commuting To Be Included In Working Hours

While praising India, the last thing that one will probably talk about is traffic, especially in metro cities. At times it seems like there are more vehicles on the road than actual people. And when you factor in the abysmally constructed roads, commuting to and from your workplace feels like a Herculean task. That’s why people want it to be included in their working hours.

According to India Today, IWG Global Workspace conducted a survey that included 15,000 business people across over 80 nations. And they released a statement saying that a significant chunk of the Indian workforce wants their commuting time to be taken into consideration:

“61% office-goers from India believe that official working hours should include time spent on their journey to and from work. Also, 41% said commuting to/ from work is the part of the working day which they like the least.”

The report showed that 80% of Indian companies are introducing flexible working to help attract and retain employees. But flexible working means different things to different people. While a fifth of global workers associate it with their ability to make some decision regarding their working hours and a quarter equate it with being able to manage workload, more than half relate to it being able to choose the type of work location.

Apparently, in 2015, Europe’s top court had urged companies to count work hours from the time employee leave their home for office till the time they return. And IWG CEO and Founder Mark Dixon thinks that that kind of flexible working is being adopted by many:

“Last year our Global Workspace Survey talked about reaching a tipping point, but what we are seeing now is that flexible working is considered by many to be the new norm for any business that is serious about productivity, agility and winning the war for top talent. Indeed, half of all our respondents claim to work outside their main office location for at least half of the week.”

The IWG statement further added,

“Perhaps this is due to an increasing focus on work/life balance: flexible working is seen to improve this balance by 78% globally and 86% in India.”

However, T.V. Mohandas Pai, Chairman of Manipal Global Education and Aarin Capital, didn’t agree with this notion and expressed his opinion about it on Twitter.

61% office-goers in India want commuting time to be included in working hours: Survey . Very strange! How can this be possible when people are free to stay anywhere, stay 3 hours away from work too! People should stay close to work reduce commute time https://t.co/8TyPdToVUH

— Mohandas Pai (@TVMohandasPai) March 13, 2019

Soon after that, he was slammed by netizens for his ridiculous statement.

Not everyone can afford a house close to office. Not everyone is a millionaire

— Prosenjit Datta (@ProsaicView) March 13, 2019

Your privilege has made you completely blind to the woes of living in Metros. Try renting a 2BHK in South Mumbai on a regular employee's salary. People in suits should not give advice to people on the streets.

— Utsav Mamoria (@utsavmamoria) March 14, 2019

You should consider Mumbai before you say that. Property prices close to work are unrealistic. Businesses should decentralise from CBDs. That would probably be more sustainable. https://t.co/aALp5HB6cM

— Va Ru N (@tweetmevarun) March 16, 2019

If we can afford house to near our office than we need no job we all will be entrepreneurs https://t.co/D25G1VzNJF

— shaikh sharjil (@beingsharjil) March 15, 2019

Look up delusional in the dictionary. You'll see this guy's photo in the definition.https://t.co/vn7pVjrcOS

— Social Distancer (@Rantaramic) March 16, 2019

Never struck me. Let's all buy flats in Bandra and SoBo. https://t.co/rTwFxuszUa

— Rohit Kiran (@kkkkkirann) March 15, 2019

This highly privileged gentleman's first reaction was typical of people sitting in upper echelon of class/caste structure. "Everyone below me is a dishonest thief and will steal at every given opportunity." https://t.co/lJJorvIbSq

— Harrsh Multani (@I_Ranveer) March 15, 2019

Reminded of a comment in Archie comics. Veronica saying "If the poor have no money, why don't they go to the bank and get some?"#Insensitivity #Privilege https://t.co/TXt3ZryDhq

— Makarand (@makarand_s) March 15, 2019

Then the company's should provide the accomodation nearby their office's if it wants us to stay near to office… Or companies should reimburse the rent which sky rocketed in such areas… https://t.co/HxKjJswYqa

— Nitin Gupta (@GuptaNitin79) March 15, 2019

Most workplaces are either located on the outskirts of the city or smack in the middle of the city’s business hub. And both of them give rise to two problems: commuting and finding affordable housing. So, in my opinion, the best options are remote working or accommodation provided by the office. What do you think?

Representative Cover Image Source: 1, 2