# One fifth of UK workers do not intend to commute again post pandemic Author: Pal Sinha, Barnali Author URL: https://financedigest.com/author/pal-sinha-barnali Published: 2021-07-29 Category: BUSINESS Category URL: https://financedigest.com/category/business Meta Title: UK Workers Reluctant to Return to Office Post Pandemic Due Meta Description: New research reveals that many UK workers are reluctant to return to the office due to concerns over infection control and social distancing on public transport URL: https://financedigest.com/one-fifth-of-uk-workers-do-not-intend-to-commute-again-post-pandemichtml ![undefined](https://prod.superblogcdn.com/site_cuid_cm5qst7v3003gwirgwqtxn8i8/images/6-da-35-1736838105915-compressed.jpg) _Almost one fifth of UK workers do not intend to return to the office again post pandemic, largely due to ongoing concerns around infection control on public transport_ As employees across the UK are to set to embark on their return to the workplace following the easing of COVID-19 restrictions in July, new research reveals that many commuters are reluctant to return to the office in the coming months, mainly due to increased concern over infection control and social distancing on the daily commute. According to a nationally-representative survey into 2,000 UK workers, conducted by corporate transport specialist [Kura](https://ridekura.com/), nearly one fifth (19.1%) of workers plan to never commute again post pandemic, with regional variations from 10.8% in London to 29.1% in Wales. Less than half (42%) of employees across the UK intend to return to work in the office five days per week and, despite the ongoing commentary that companies are moving towards a permanent hybrid working model, just 39% of workers stated they intend to return to work on a hybrid basis post pandemic. The reluctance to return to the office stems largely from the travel to and from work, with nearly 60% of [workers across the UK admitting that they hold real concerns around the commute post](https://www.financedigest.com/post-brexit-uk-workers-can-have-financial-security.html "Post Brexit – UK workers CAN have financial security") lockdown. This is particularly prevalent for the senior workforce, with Board-level (98%), Directors (85%) and Managers (77%) [holding the biggest concerns over the future](https://www.financedigest.com/what-does-the-future-hold-for-uk-smes.html "What does the future hold for UK SMEs?") of the commute. Kura’s research uncovered that the key root to commuters’ concerns [post lockdown](https://www.financedigest.com/why-digital-transformation-in-finance-is-crucial-for-post-lockdown-success.html "Why digital transformation in finance is crucial for post lockdown success") is infection control and lack of social distancing on public transport. Across the UK, 36% of workers [hold Covid-related concerns with regard to the future](https://www.financedigest.com/heres-what-the-future-holds-for-financial-planning-analysis-teams.html "Here’s what the future holds for financial planning & analysis teams") of the commute, and this percentage increases to 54.4% for those employees commuting in and around London. There is a strong cry for help with commuting from employees, particularly Graduates (70%) and Junior Executives (73%). Despite this, the commute is not a priority for the vast majority of businesses across the UK, with just 16.4% of companies expressing desire to monitor or [support employees on their commute going forward](https://www.financedigest.com/taiwans-president-looks-forward-to-britain-supporting-its-cptpp-bid.html "Taiwan’s President looks forward to Britain supporting its CPTPP bid"). **Godfrey Ryan, CEO of Kura, comments**: “As Covid-19 restrictions lift and [employees are requested to return to the workplace](https://www.financedigest.com/norway-wealth-fund-employee-sues-for-workplace-gender-discrimination.html "Norway wealth fund employee sues for workplace gender discrimination"), there will undoubtedly be more thought and consideration given to the regular commute. With [increased awareness around](https://www.financedigest.com/polyimide-fibers-market-is-expected-to-increase-at-a-healthy-cagr-of-around-5-over-the-forecast-period-of-2021-2031.html "Polyimide Fibers Market is expected to increase at a healthy CAGR of around 5% over the forecast period of 2021-2031") factors such as infection control and social distancing, we will inevitably see a shift in the commuting landscape. “For public transport commuters in particular, the perceived lack of infection control, unreliability of [service and overcrowding is hampering employers hopes of an office-based or hybrid workforce post](https://www.financedigest.com/do-you-need-to-buy-guest-post-services-why.html " Do You Need to Buy Guest Post Services? why?") lockdown. As these fears continue to prevent workers from wanting to [return to the office](https://www.financedigest.com/are-we-witnessing-the-great-return-to-the-office.html "Are we witnessing the great return to the office?"), it is time for employers to step up and offer alternative travel support to their employees where necessary. “It is reassuring to see that the home to work journey is becoming an increasingly important [consideration for businesses](https://www.financedigest.com/5-considerations-when-trying-to-grow-your-business-during-a-pandemic.html "5 Considerations When Trying to Grow Your Business During a Pandemic") across London, with 30% expressing a desire to support their employees on the commute. Hopefully we will start to see other [regions across](https://www.financedigest.com/tea-pitchers-market-sales-will-witness-stellar-revenue-growth-across-top-regional-pockets.html "Tea Pitchers Market Sales Will Witness Stellar Revenue Growth Across Top Regional Pockets") the UK follow suit in the coming months, as the capital sets the precedent.” --- This blog is powered by Superblog. Visit https://superblog.ai to know more. ---