Commuting: a life sentence for academics

Completely agree, and equally valid for the professional members of staff too

It isn't always an easy decision. I turned down two jobs (when I had been made redundant so really needed a job!) both 100+ miles from home in cities I would not want my family to be located in. I had applied frankly in the hope that I might be able to work a compressed week onsite, and at least one day at home - say Friday. My hopes were dashed in both cases by the asssertion by the Management school that I would be expected to teach MBA students on Saturdays.

This isn't limited to universities - many, many people in industries all over the UK (and wider) have to face this. I personally had a 3hr commute to a work in London 2 days a week, then a day in Leeds, followed by a day at the office base and one wherever I was sent to by my company. I didn't really have a choice where I had to work BUT I knew I was paid to do that job and I chose where I lived between all this, I chose the timing of having children and how to sort their care, plus how I decided the type of commute (train, car, etc). Sometimes I stayed over in hotels, other times I did a 6 hour round trip with an 8hr working day in the middle. I did similar patterns for 10 years and then realized I wanted something different. I looked to my employer to make changes to accommodate me but they couldn't, but frankly why should they? I took the job and I knew the impact and they needed someone to fulfill a specific role in the organization. Then a well meaning friend reminded me I wasn't a tree and I wasn't rooted to the spot, I could also choose to walk into something different. I decided to change tact in my career and now am much more settled. It took three years of planning to make the change and this included getting an MBA. Although I'm not an academic, I'm extremely passionate about my sphere of work so I was happy to play the long game and I had a plan. I believe that we all the choices; no one has a gun against your head telling you to be in a job that's killing you or your relationship with your family. Work out a different plan and don't be a tree...

I live in Crewe and work in Birmingham, the train ride gives me time to read and think without students at the door (much as I love the dears...), and is now giving me 2 hours a day towards the study time dedicated to my PhD... once I'd reassured my supervisor that I can work effectively on a train. Once I'm focussed, nothing disturbs me :)

As one of my recent graduate sons lecturers put it "you can have 20 minutes contact time once every three months if you really need it, I don't live in the region or county let alone the city", she was holding down partial contract hours jobs in 3 or 4 very wide spread Universities from the South West to the North East whilst based in Oxford, and people wonder why academic burn-out occurs...

I totally agree with this piece. For four years I had an academic part-time job 70 miles away from home. Although it was a permanent position, it wasn't worth uprooting my family and significantly increasing my husband's commute to a full-time, extremely well-paid but equally stressful job. Sensibly, we decided to stay close to his job and I did the long commute while bearing the brunt of childcare as I was only working part-time. I had a formal flexible working arrangement (which I had to fight year on year), but the timetable issues described in the article made flexibility almost impossible in practice. Commuting by train would have eaten a third of my part-time salary so I drove into work, mostly in rush hour (!). I was lucky in that I had the opportunity to work from home when not teaching, but when this is becomes your default working pattern, it can feel very isolating and alienating, which in my case spiralled into mild depression. I now work 18 miles from home, and though I still have 1h commute door to door, it is more manageable. And, because I am on a research only position with no teaching commitments, I have total flexibility to work from home whenever I need to. The price? Trading a permanent grade 9 position for a 3-year grade 8 contract.

It all depends on the nature of the public transport and whether it is suitable for focused working. 45 minutes from Chester to Liverpool - impossible on Merseyrail. 60 minutes from Chester to Manchester - time well spent!

I'm currently teaching one day a week, with a door-to-door commute of 3 hours. It's so tough, especially as my commuting costs do eat into my earnings quite substantially, but it can be slim pickings for fresh ECAs.

Shows how we have all been conned by high house prices aka 'booming property market'. What's 'booming' about it, for ordinary people? High house prices mean FTBs can't buy and must rent, and existing homeowners don't benefit as the next house up is further away in price terms. Oh and pensioners are just saving for the Treasury, or local council 'care' (ha ha) home. However landowners do well as the 'residual land values', the cost of a house minus the building costs, rise, great for the Duke of Westminister. He needs the money. And in semiotic terms how come we see 'negative equity' as such a bogeyman? We don't see a declining car value as bad. Of course it's because we've been persuaded to take a 30-year millstone round our necks just to get a house, whooppeee, so we are then committed to selling it for more than we paid for it. Unsustainable when wages are flat. Wait here for the crash.

I don’t think the managers you quote are being unreasonable and, despite the fact that I do not envy your commuting dilemma, I am appalled that you teach so many hours in one day. Not good for you and certainly not good for your students. And then you’re gone. No office hours? No drop in sessions? Maybe you should resign and the uni can appoint somebody who lives in Oxford.

As a single person, I'm aware that I work the hours first thing and last thing in the day, most days, to accommodate those living, say, 2 hours away, and those with childcare needs (which I very much support). I often support students who can't get hold of their lecturers when they need them. There are knock on effects on others and it is worth considering whether it is a luxury to have such flexibility and how many other careers this would even be possible in - that said, unis should also support remote working more especially for student one-to-one meetings and small staff meetings.