Commuting to London 2 days a week
Discussion
Does anyone do a split job where they're based in London for (e.g.) 2 or 3 days a week and then the rest of time working from home?
I'm unable to relocate due to school / childcare arrangements etc, but my next career step will probably involve working with a London-based organisation so I'll be trying to negotiate doing everything in the head office on Tuesday and Wednesday and the rest of the week across the UK, rather than relocating.
Does anyone else do this, does it work, are employers generally amenable to this, what are the best ways to actually do it without spending a fortune? The best I could come up with was:
Early start Tuesday, drive to (e.g. Peterborough, Stevenage, Milton Keynes etc.). Into London on a train, stay over Tuesday night in London somewhere cheap (ha!), reverse journey on Wednesday evening.
Thanks
I'm unable to relocate due to school / childcare arrangements etc, but my next career step will probably involve working with a London-based organisation so I'll be trying to negotiate doing everything in the head office on Tuesday and Wednesday and the rest of the week across the UK, rather than relocating.
Does anyone else do this, does it work, are employers generally amenable to this, what are the best ways to actually do it without spending a fortune? The best I could come up with was:
Early start Tuesday, drive to (e.g. Peterborough, Stevenage, Milton Keynes etc.). Into London on a train, stay over Tuesday night in London somewhere cheap (ha!), reverse journey on Wednesday evening.
Thanks
My wife started working near Moorgate earlier this year, she does on average 3 days per week in the office, the other 2 days at home. She is Head of Client Services for a small/medium financial services business, part of a FTSE Group.
She has a 5 minute drive to Wellingborough station, on the train for 50 mins or so, then tube to Moorgate I think.
Her employer pays for a season ticket and car parking at the station, it would have been unrealistic otherwise as it would have cost circa £8k per annum out of her own pocket.
The company she works for is very relaxed about working from home, she starts at 7.30am and leaves the office around 3.30pm generally, works better for her.
Its the first time she has worked in London and we had reservations, but it has worked out absolutely fine for her thankfully.
She has a 5 minute drive to Wellingborough station, on the train for 50 mins or so, then tube to Moorgate I think.
Her employer pays for a season ticket and car parking at the station, it would have been unrealistic otherwise as it would have cost circa £8k per annum out of her own pocket.
The company she works for is very relaxed about working from home, she starts at 7.30am and leaves the office around 3.30pm generally, works better for her.
Its the first time she has worked in London and we had reservations, but it has worked out absolutely fine for her thankfully.
There are definitely jobs like this out there.
Several people at the place I worked up until December worked mostly from home, being in London one or two days a week. Sometimes they wouldn't appear in the office for 3 or 4 weeks at a time, and no-one ever said anything. Another guy that I know works as a contractor for a large UK based international bank - he's only allowed to come into the office one day a month - they just don't have the desk space.
Several people at the place I worked up until December worked mostly from home, being in London one or two days a week. Sometimes they wouldn't appear in the office for 3 or 4 weeks at a time, and no-one ever said anything. Another guy that I know works as a contractor for a large UK based international bank - he's only allowed to come into the office one day a month - they just don't have the desk space.
The Leaper said:
Just a comment here. Many, many years ago I commuted daily from Wellingborough. There were a total of 6 commuters to London each day. I suspect there's loads more now!
Yes, just a few....I commute 2 or 3 days a week from Market Harborough. I usually get the 05:58, ~30 get on there, ~90 at Kettering and ~100 at Welly. The later trains are much busier, you're not guaranteed a seat from Welly.
I've generally worked remotely from the office since around 2003, except for one job where I lasted around 6 months.
Mostly this is because my location isnt where the offices are (I'm up North, they're either down South or in another country). So I have my hut at the bottom of the garden, kitted out with everything I'd generally need.
I think if you explain from the off that you're not even thinking about being in the office 5 days a week, you'll flush out potential employers who have a problem with this. Some will, some wont.
What I would say though is that there's only so much 'give' from each side (employer and employee) that's reasonable for both parties. If you take a job on a See How It Goes basis, knowing that you dont really want to be in London at 6pm on a Friday, taking it is the wrong choice mid to long term for both you and the employer.
Personally I couldnt/wouldnt sacrifice my time doing that kind of commute, doesnt matter what the money/prospects are. Value my home time with wife and kid higher than that.
Mostly this is because my location isnt where the offices are (I'm up North, they're either down South or in another country). So I have my hut at the bottom of the garden, kitted out with everything I'd generally need.
I think if you explain from the off that you're not even thinking about being in the office 5 days a week, you'll flush out potential employers who have a problem with this. Some will, some wont.
What I would say though is that there's only so much 'give' from each side (employer and employee) that's reasonable for both parties. If you take a job on a See How It Goes basis, knowing that you dont really want to be in London at 6pm on a Friday, taking it is the wrong choice mid to long term for both you and the employer.
Personally I couldnt/wouldnt sacrifice my time doing that kind of commute, doesnt matter what the money/prospects are. Value my home time with wife and kid higher than that.
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