Landed your dream job but it’s too far from home? If moving isn’t an option, that doesn’t mean you have to give up the job. Here are some tips for managing that long commute.
Drive to work
Depending on where your office is located, driving to work might be the most efficient way to get there. Compare routes on public transportation (using the Moovit app) with driving routes (via Google Maps or Waze) and see if driving makes sense. Of course, you need to take into account the price of driving and the fact that travel reimbursement is legally only for the amount it would cost to take public transportation and is capped at 22.60 NIS per day. Don’t forget to check whether free (or any) parking is available near your workplace.
Take the train
Is your office near a train line? This might be the best way to get to work. The train tends to be pretty quick (no sitting in traffic) and comfortable. Israel Railways has small tables in front of some of the seats, so you can easily work during your commute. If you’re in Jerusalem and commuting to Tel Aviv, the fast train reaches Ben-Gurion airport in 23 minutes, shaving lots of time off your trip. Inside Tel Aviv, the light rail will take you anywhere from Bat Yam to Petach Tikva. The light rail in Jerusalem runs from Mount Herzl to Neve Yaakov, with new lines opening soon.
Avoid rush hour
Unless you’re able to travel entirely via train and light rail, traffic will be a big factor in the length of your commute. Start work early and finish early or start late and finish late in order to avoid sitting in rush hour traffic. Of course, not all workplaces are amenable to this type of arrangement, but if you can swing it, you will spend much less time on the road.
Use your time wisely
If you’re able to log work time that’s done remotely, a commute can be a great time to check your emails, answer comments on Slack (or whichever task management system you’re using) or read articles, blogs and other work-related literature. If you can’t log the work time, you can still use the time wisely by reading, listening to music, watching a show or enjoying a podcast. You can also use the time to take care of household chores that can be accomplished by phone or organize your family’s schedule for the week.
Negotiate working remotely
Since Covid, many workplaces have moved to a hybrid model, where most days are in the office but employees can work remotely once or twice a week. The best time to negotiate regular remote work is before taking the job, but you can also ask for this once you’ve been working for a while. Some workplaces are rigid about requiring everyone to be in the office at all times, but others will allow some employees to work part-time remotely, even if this is not their general policy. You will, of course, need to demonstrate that you are actually working on these remote days, by being responsive to calls, texts and emails, and by accomplishing the assignments you have been tasked with.
A long commute doesn’t have to be the end of a job that you really want. By figuring out the best time to travel, the quickest route, how to occupy your time while commuting and how to integrate remote work into your schedule, a position that’s far from home can be sustainable and even enjoyable.
