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Emails While Commuting 'Should Count as Work', Researchers Say (bbc.com)

Posted by msmash on from the modern-world-work-life-tussle dept.

Commuters are so regularly using travel time for work emails that their journeys should be counted as part of the working day, researchers say. From a report: Wider access to wi-fi on trains and the spread of mobile phones has extended the working day, a study from the University of the West of England says. The study examined 5,000 rail passengers on commuter routes into London as wi-fi became more available. "I am a busy mum and I rely on that time," one commuter told researchers. The study, to be presented at the Royal Geographical Society on Thursday, found that 54% of commuters using the train's wi-fi were sending work emails. Others were using their own mobile phone connections for work emails.

9 of 130 comments (clear)

  1. Why wouldn't it be counted as work? by dfn5 · · Score: 5, Funny

    But more importantly, what difference does it make? Who gets paid for every hour of work worked? So it means I work 70 hours in a week instead of 60. I'm still only getting paid for 40.

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    1. Re:Why wouldn't it be counted as work? by Jzanu · · Score: 4, Interesting

      For some context, UK labor law limits weekly work to 48 hours total. If commuting while performing measurable and exclusively work focused activity is by policy made work hours due to employer pressures, then it reduces the legal amount remaining. Largely this is a youth protective measure, and you could opt out if an adult able to buy your own alcohol, etc. it must be entirely voluntary (not condition of being hired) and there are also occupational restrictions that enforce it as a rigid limit. Those jobs include "airline staff a worker on ships or boats a worker in the road transport industry, eg delivery drivers (except for drivers of vehicles under 3.5 tonnes using GB Domestic drivers’ hours rules) other staff who travel in and operate vehicles covered by EU rules on drivers’ hours, eg bus conductors a security guard on a vehicle carrying high-value goods"

    2. Re:Why wouldn't it be counted as work? by Computershack · · Score: 4, Informative

      But more importantly, what difference does it make? Who gets paid for every hour of work worked? So it means I work 70 hours in a week instead of 60. I'm still only getting paid for 40.

      Me. Not only do I get paid for every hour I work I also get paid for the mandatory 45 minute rest breaks I must take during my shift. I'm a truck driver in the UK. So currently I get paid 50hrs for doing 46.25hrs and I also get 28 days annual paid leave too. The joys of not living in a country which has shitty workers rights.

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  2. Re:Researchers Say! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

    The research results boils down to establishing that "work" is work. Great conclusion indeed.

    Research time would be better spent trying to establish why employees would want to work while commuting knowing they won't be compensated for that.

  3. Re:Texting while Driving in my State is Illegal by mysidia · · Score: 4, Informative

    So if I get a ticket for Texting while Driving do I submit the ticket to my employer

    Generally your employer is not responsible for covering your ticket fine: even if you are driving a company vehicle.
    That is... if the ticket is a moving violation, and not expired inspection sticker or invalid tags, since those fines ultimately
    go against the property owner, not the driver. Parking violations you cause in a company are also your responsibility, even though if you fail to pay -- it's the vehicle's owner they will go after.

  4. Re:Researchers Say! by Opportunist · · Score: 4, Insightful

    When I work, you pay me for it. When you consider it work that I read emails, you pay me for it. You don't pay me when I commute, I won't read emails when I commute.

    It is actually that simple.

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    We used to have a Bill of Rights. Now, with the rights gone, all we have left is the bill.
  5. Cynical answer... by sjbe · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Here's my hypothesis: Wage increases and job security.

    An old axiom about why buy the cow when you get the milf for free comes to mind...

    Guess which one gets the raise. Guess who gets laid off when business is slow.

    My guess would be neither and both respectively.

  6. Re:Researchers Say! by Mr+D+from+63 · · Score: 4, Insightful

    When I work, you pay me for it. When you consider it work that I read emails, you pay me for it. You don't pay me when I commute, I won't read emails when I commute.

    It is actually that simple.

    My work and off work life are so mixed I don't even care. I'll gladly answer some emails off hours, I leave early if I need, work from home if I need, run errands during the workday, etc. It allows me to better manage all my time. I realize not everyone is in a similar situation.

  7. Re: Researchers Say! by Evtim · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Yep! Welcome to the race.. to the bottom.