Need Finance Professionals Back in the Office? Improve Their Commute

As UK financial services (FinServ) firms enforce return-to-office (RTO) mandates, they face a growing challenge; commuting is one of the biggest barriers to employee compliance and retention.

While leaders push for in-office collaboration, employees are resisting for clear reasons: cost, time, and work-life balance. A Robert Walters survey found that two-thirds of UK professionals expect commuting subsidies, and 39% refuse to commute for over an hour.

With UK rail fares increasing by 5.9% in 2024, fuel costs rising 17% year-over-year, and commuting times worsening, employees are questioning whether office work is worth it.

The bottom line? If FinServ firms want people back in the office, they need to solve the commute.

Why Employees Don’t Want To Come Back

Financial services firms have always attracted top talent with competitive salaries and benefits, but in 2025, perks like a company gym or free coffee aren’t enough; it’s commuting incentives that matter.

Here’s why RTO mandates are meeting resistance:

1. Long and Costly Commutes Are a Dealbreaker

• 39% of UK professionals won’t tolerate commutes over an hour.
• London professionals now spend an average of £200 per month on commuting, with some paying over £5,000 annually for rail travel.
• Train fare hikes (5.9%) and fuel price surges (17%) are making office work financially unsustainable for many employees.

2. Work-Life Balance Is Non-Negotiable

• 50% of UK workers say long commutes negatively impact their mental health. 
• Employees who moved outside of city centers during the pandemic now face longer, more expensive commutes, making RTO mandates even more unpopular.
• A Harvard Business Review study found that commuting stress lowers productivity by 15%, leading to disengagement and higher attrition.

3. Top Talent Has More Choices

• 80% of finance professionals would consider leaving a role if a better commuting option was offered elsewhere. 
• The UK job market remains competitive, with hybrid and remote roles still available for skilled workers.

Financial services firms cannot afford to lose top talent to competitors offering a better commute.

Why Employer-Sponsored Transport is the Solution

Employers that invest in better commuting solutions see higher office attendance, increased engagement, and stronger retention.

One of the most effective strategies is offering employer-provided shuttle services, like those powered by Zeelo.

How Zeelo Eases the RTO Transition for FinServ Firms

Cost-efficient transport

• Shuttle services can reduce employee travel costs by up to 50%, making in-office work more appealing.
• Bulk transport contracts save employers up to 40% compared to individual rail subsidies.

Faster & more efficient commutes

• Zeelo optimises routes, cutting travel times by up to 50% and reducing congestion.
• Employees arrive punctual and stress-free, boosting productivity.

Higher retention & morale

• Companies that subsidize transport see 35% lower voluntary turnover.
• 88% of employees using shuttle services say it improves work-life balance.

Sustainability & reliability

• Zeelo’s rigorous on-time performance ensures employees arrive when they need to.
• Carbon footprint is reduced by consolidating rides, cutting emissions by up to 30% per commuter.

Practical Steps for Employers to Solve the Commute Challenge

1. Provide or subsidize commuter transport

Shuttle Services:

• Partner with shuttle providers like Zeelo to offer direct, convenient routes from key residential areas to office locations.
• Eliminate multi-leg commutes that force employees to take trains, buses, and taxis.

Financial Incentives:

• Cover rail passes or fuel costs to ease financial burdens.
• Offer parking subsidies for employees who must drive.

2. Implement flexible scheduling

Staggered start times:

• Avoid peak-hour congestion by offering flexible arrival and departure windows.
• Employees commuting outside of rush hour reduce travel time by up to 30%.

Hybrid work adjustments:

• Allow remote work on high-traffic days, such as Mondays and Fridays.
• Maintain in-office collaboration incentives for midweek presence.

3. Make office attendance more attractive

On-site perks:

• Provide co-working spaces, wellness programs, and commuter-friendly office layouts.
• Offer perks like free breakfast for early commuters to incentivize office attendance.

Travel incentives:

• Offer bonus schemes for high office attendance tied to transport reimbursements.

4. Communicate RTO expectations clearly

Transparent policies:

• Frame RTO as a supported transition, not just a mandate.
• Highlight new commuting benefits to encourage buy-in.

Regular feedback loops:

• Survey employees on commute pain points and adjust transport solutions accordingly.

The Future of Commuting in Financial Services

The financial services industry is at a turning point. Firms that fail to address commuting barriers will struggle with compliance, retention, and morale.

• Employers who invest in commuter transport gain a major competitive edge in hiring and retaining top talent.
• Commuter benefits increase employee retention rates by up to 35%.
• Companies offering employer-sponsored transport report 22% higher employee satisfaction.

It’s time for FinServ firms to rethink the commute.

Make the office work for your team with Zeelo

By removing the barriers to in-office work, financial services firms can boost productivity, increase retention, and improve employee well-being.

Discover how Zeelo can help your workforce commute smarter, faster, and cheaper.

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