Employees’ Experiences of Changes in their Work Commute during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A survey study in Ireland

Background: Commuting is an important part of the daily lives of most employees, with evidence that it can influence work quality, wellbeing, and health. The restrictions imposed during the COVID-19 pandemic forced many employees to work from home, with disruptions to typical commuting patterns. Aims: In this unprecedented situation, the present study aimed to explore whether changes in work commute were associated with variations in employee’s experiences in Ireland. Methods: A sample of 112 Irish adults in employment completed an online cross-sectional survey. Responses were analysed using quantitative correlational analysis and content analysis. Results: We found that changing commuting patterns had no significant associations with employee’s self-rated productivity, mood, stress, ability to focus, or physical health, but individuals who were asked to alternate working from home and commuting to work were the least satisfied with their commuting circumstances. However, satisfaction did not mediate the association between changes in commute and work-related outcomes. Qualitative responses revealed that employees had developed new habits and routines in response to changes to their usual commuting pattern. Conclusions: We discuss the implications of our findings, drawing on evidence from literature and trends around commuting, telecommuting, and working during the COVID-19 pandemic.