The Hidden Working Hours: Is Commuting Becoming Part of the Job?
By Vishal Sawakhande
In cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, and other metropolitan areas, millions of professionals begin their workday long before they enter the office.
Two hours to work. Two hours back home.
A ten-hour job can quietly become a fourteen-hour day.
Travel is not leisure. Daily commuting in crowded trains, buses, metros, and traffic drains physical energy, mental focus, and emotional resilience. By the time many employees arrive at work, a large part of their energy has already been spent.
When we count only office hours, we ignore the hidden hours that are inseparable from the job. Without the commute, the employee cannot perform the role. In reality, those hours are part of the commitment made to employment.
This hidden workload affects productivity, family life, physical health, mental well-being, and personal growth. Many talented professionals struggle to exercise, learn new skills, spend quality time with loved ones, or simply get enough rest because so much of their day disappears in transit.
Organizations that value employee well-being should consider flexible working hours, hybrid work models where possible, office locations closer to employees, or transport support. Even small improvements can help employees preserve their energy and perform at their best.
Success is not measured only by the number of hours spent inside an office. It is also measured by the quality of life employees experience outside it.
Perhaps it is time to rethink how we define a working day. If an employee gives fourteen hours of their day to fulfill a ten-hour job because of unavoidable commuting, then those hidden hours deserve recognition and respect.
As cities continue to grow, the conversation should move beyond working hours and include the total time people dedicate to their profession. Recognizing this reality may be the first step toward creating healthier workplaces and more sustainable careers.
A thought by Vishal Sawakhande
A job doesn't begin when you enter the office. For millions in metro cities, it begins the moment they leave home.