WORKERS spend more than nine months of their lives travelling for their job.
A poll of 2,000 working people who commute and travel for work found the average person spends more than 52 minutes a day in transit to and from their workplace.
This totals 775 minutes a month, working out to be just under 155 hours a year – around 19 working days.
On top of this, they’ll spend 84 minutes each month travelling for other work-related commitments, which over the course of the year works out to almost 17 hours a year.
And in an average adult’s working life, based on working full time from 18 to 65, the total equates to three quarters of a year of their lives – nine months in total.
It was found 43 per cent consider journeying to the office or further afield on business trips to be one of the things they dislike most about their jobs.
With 30 per cent saying they would rather book a nearby hotel than face a long journey to and from their workplace.
And of those who ever stay away for work (64 per cent), they spend 28 days a year away from loved ones, on average.
Nick Jacobs, sales director at Travelodge, which commissioned the research, said: “Many people spend a significant part of their lives away from home for work, often missing the comfort and familiarity of their own space.
“It makes perfect sense to stay close to where you’re working – it gives you a better night’s sleep and a bit more time in the morning.
“Over the course of a career, the time people spend travelling for work really adds up, and it’s no surprise that they miss their home comforts.”
The survey went on to find 29 per cent who travel, need to stay away from home overnight for work as often as once a month.
Three quarters (76 per cent) stay in hotels when travelling and prioritise location (52 per cent), comfort (42 per cent) and cost (28 per cent).
But a third dislike the long hours overnight trips bring and 31 per cent don’t like feeling out of their routine according to the OnePoll.com data.
However, 30 per cent like the extra time they get to themselves and 22 per cent even feel more productive when they are away.
While 21 per cent think they sleep better when they are on a work trip and 17 per cent like avoiding chores around their home.
Nick Jacobs, sales director at Travelodge added: “Staying away from home is bound to have its pros and cons.
“We know people value the quiet space and comfort that a hotel room provides, and while it’s natural to miss family during work trips, having some personal time to relax, focus or unwind can be a real benefit.
“We welcome millions of business travellers every year and we know they feel better rested and more prepared when they stay over, as they can avoid the stress of an early start, long commute and tiring day all rolled into one.”
