Do you hop on Music to 'Beat the Traffic' during Morning Commute? Study says STOP DOING THAT!

Music and Commute are like Sugar and Ants! More so, if you have to beat the traffic and land at work on time without plucking your hairs! If you are not at the driver's seat and being driven in a HopOn service to work, there are millennial additions other than music such as - scrolling instagram, swiping news, etc.

Contrary to the belief that activites such as listening to Music and scrolling Social media/ News are necessary distractions from Traffic and commute stress, a recent Harvard study says "You need to STOP DOING THAT".

A research by Prof. Franceso Gino group at the Harvard Business School on Commuting between Home & Work debunked some of the long standing beliefs. It shows that people commuting to work can be characterised into two sets - one with higher self-control and another with lower self-control. People with higher trait of self-control tend to adapt the transition from home to work and prepare mentally on the go. Their energy and focus stays unabated irrespective of the traffic conditions.

The second category of people with lower trait of self-control exhibit a behavior engagement in activities that are rewarding in the moment, like listening to music or scrolling on social media, etc. Study has shown that these relaxing activities hinder a seamless transition into their work role up on their office arrival. This leads to commute stress realization, lesser job satisfaction and in certain cases, eventually culminating in quitting the job.

Average global commute time is 38 minutes each way. In India, the average commute time is 20% higher, i.e. 46minutes each way [Commute time by Country]. However, in some of the congested pockets of metro cities in India, this may hit as high as 90 minutes each way during the peak hours.

Across the world, for most office-goers, 'commuting home to office' is the most undesierable activity in the morning. When Employees were asked to define an ideal commute time - the expectation was 16-minutes and not ZERO minutes!

The ideal commute time of 16 minutes is in line with how the Corporate real estate is evolving. Gone are the days when Employers would spend on creating a signature workspace and working culture by pampering Employees with tasteful interiors, free lunches, weekly events, etc. Today, Employers are forced to prioritize Employees' Commute over Culture! This is also evident with the pace at which established Companies (apart from start-ups and SMEs) are now adopting a more de-centralized, co-working space approach!

A recent global workplace study in India showed that nearly 61% Employees want 'Commuting' to be treated as 'work hours'. With WiFi enabled cabs, Employers can possibly propose Employees to get a headstart on their daily work as soon as their commute begins. However, with road conditions and working on wheels-in-motion may have health implications for some Employees. This disparity is a hinderance for the Employers to quantify commuting as work hours!

As an immediate step, Employers can help Employees by creating awareness on the necessary 'Role Transition'.

• During home-to-office commute: Employees can condition their mind with three most important goals/ tasks for that day.
• During office-to-home commute: Employees need to let go office tasks and transition to thinking about home activities!

In conclusion, helping Employees with 'Role Transition' during their daily commute can possibly reward the Organizations with enhanced Employees' productivity and Happiness; at least, until when there is large-scale adoption of working from home or when Employees will be seamlessly teleported to their workplace!