Disruptions and delays in the daily commute in South Africa are some of the reasons companies and office spaces are moving to the suburbs.
There are few things more discussed and debated in the office than the daily commute and the nightmare journey that colleagues have faced to navigate their way successfully into the office. Whether it’s peak-hour traffic in Cape Town, cancelled trains, disruption due to strike action in Sandton or fellow passengers disrupting the peace by listening to loud music, precious hours can quickly evaporate, leaving workers behind on the day’s tasks before they have even sat down at their desks.
As commutes become longer, people are increasingly using the time to do additional office work. Findings from the 2019 IWG Global Workspace survey show that 42% of people think that official working hours should include time spent commuting to and from work, as this is not ‘free time’, with 48% of respondents stating that they usually carry out some work tasks whilst commuting to and from work, such as making phone calls and checking emails. In addition, more than half of respondents (51%) think that businesses should subsidise the cost of commuting for their employees.
However, even if you are able to work on the commute, is the work you are doing really that productive? Research shows it’s quite the contrary. Lack of seating, loud noises and unreliable Wi-Fi all contribute to work not being done as efficiently as it could be. Long commutes are also stressful, which itself is rarely conducive to productivity. In fact, a 2015 study conducted by the University of Montreal concluded that the more time spent commuting, the more susceptible workers are to chronic stress.
Further research shows it takes only 20 minutes of being in the car, or on a bus, bike or train for workers to be susceptible to chronic stress. This can result in physical and emotional exhaustion, which in turn can seriously hamper productivity. The Global Benefits Attitudes survey attests to this point, finding that levels of workplace engagement significantly decrease when employees experience high levels of stress.
To help support workers to be productive, businesses could look for solutions to help alleviate the commute. Flexible working enables employees to arrive at a desk within a stress-free commutable distance from their homes. Employees living in suburbs and small towns are then able to access all the facilities they require from an office, such as high-speed wi-fi but closer to home.
Suburban areas have become the destination for many companies who prefer to move nearer to where their employees are. The rise of mixed-use developments like Melrose Arch or Waterfall City that mix office space with retail and plenty of places to relax also means that employees can live work and play in the same area.
In Johannesburg, areas like Fourways, Founders Hill and Broadacres are popular with companies moving from the busy CBD. The Gautrain Management Agency (GMA) also recently announced that it is expanding. Dependant on environmental studies, new stations will include; Boksburg, The East Rand Mall, Irene, Mamelodi, Sunninghill, Fourways, Roodepoort and Lanseria.
The memberships offered by flexible workspace providers like Regus and Spaces, also mean that if there are traffic delays or disruptions, they can work from any other location near them.
The move to the suburbs seems to be the ideal solution for corporates and their employees. As evidenced, employees are more productive when less stressed, which ultimately leads to better outcomes, higher retention of talent and success for your business.
About IWG, International Workplace Group
IWG believes that business success is underpinned by the effectiveness and happiness of its people. So, they made it their mission to help millions of people have a great day at work – every day.
IWG has drawn upon its 30-year heritage in flexible workspace to create a world leading commercial real estate platform. Its portfolio of operating brands, including Regus, Spaces, Signature by Regus and HQ, offers an unrivalled level of choice for businesses of all sizes and budgets. With over one million workspaces and a presence in hundreds of countries, cities, towns, and transport hubs worldwide, IWG has the world’s largest network of flexible workspaces and a full suite of business support services to enable people to focus on their core business and enjoy a great day at work.
