Commuting ñ how far will you go... to work?

Monster poll reveals that 59% of UK workers spend less than 40 minutes commuting into work.

Whether itís walking, cycling, driving or pushing and shoving for a seat using public transport, we all need to get to work. Stats have shown that the average UK worker spends 360 hours, or the equivalent of 15 days a year just commuting to work ñ thatís 2,906 miles per annum per worker. Overall, commuting accounts for approximately 78.5 billion miles travelled by the UK workforce in one year.

When the Monster Meter recently asked the question, ìWhich of the following best describes your average commute to work?î 4,158 Brits placed a vote revealing:

30% (1,246 votes) 0 ñ 20 minutes
29% (1,228 votes) 20 ñ 40 minutes
21% (855 votes) Over one hour
20% (829 votes) 40 ñ 60 minutes

Time spent on the train, bicycle or in a car, are dependent on many factors including signal failure, poor weather conditions as recently experienced across the UK and congestion due to traffic. More than half of commuters (59%) spend up to 40 minutes travelling to and from work every day.

With the environment and the pursuit for many to live an active life, more and more people are opting for ëgreenerí, healthier living. As a result, many workers would prefer to walk or cycle to their place of work, particularly if the commute is short, therefore gaining the health benefits and at the same time, contributing towards safeguarding the environment.

ìRegardless of the obstacles that lie in a commutersí path, workers still want to arrive at work fresh, positive and ready to tackle a day,î said Rob Brouwer, CEO Monster UK and Ireland. ìCommuting into work can be stressful at the best of times, but with the advances in wireless technology, companies are now able to offer their employees the option of working from home - ëteleworkingí ñ therefore zero travel.î

Due to the allure of the best jobs and vibrancy of culture in major UK towns and cities, people will commute for up to an hour or more to get to their place of work. Using the new postcode search tool on the Monster.co.uk website, will help candidates find the perfect job close to home, therefore minimising time spent commuting to work. Results showed that 41% of workers spent 40 ñ 60 minutes or more making their way into work.

Commuting can be stressful and can have a direct impact on a personís work/life balance. If finding a new job closer to home is your top priority or if that high powered job in the city is more appealing with the added commute, you can find them by visiting Monsterís website.

The results of the current Monster Meter are based on votes cast by Monster users in the UK from 18th January to 1st February 2007. Only one vote per user is counted toward the final tabulation. Anyone interested in voting in Monsterís online poll may do so by logging onto: