Van drivers in the UK are considering quitting their jobs due to longer working hours, according to a survey by Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles. The survey of 1,000 van drivers found that close to a third of people working in a trade had considered leaving their current role during the last 12 months.
They are largely driven to this decision by the increase in working hours, with tradespeople now working an average of 9.44 hours per day, a jump of almost 10 percent, or 51 minutes, compared to the 2022 average of 8.59 hours each day.
Impact on Younger Van Drivers
Younger van drivers are most likely to leave their jobs, with close to half saying they are ready to quit due to work pressures. This age group feels more heavily impacted by the demands of longer hours.
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The additional 51-minute average per day means the typical van-driving tradesperson now spends almost an extra month at work across a full year. Concerns about work/life balance have risen, with 44 percent of those surveyed saying longer hours are causing them regular stress.
Tradespeople also express concerns about constant overworking, highlighting the need for a better balance between work and personal life, with 39 percent citing this issue.
Consequences for the UK Economy
Previous research by Volkswagen found that van drivers quitting in large numbers would be disastrous for the UK economy, widening an existing skills gap. Most tradespeople believe there is a shortage of skilled workers in their trade, with 75 percent holding this view.
Additionally, 24 percent of tradespeople say their company is already understaffed, emphasizing the need to reduce the burden on tradespeople and address the skills shortage, which they see as a significant issue.
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Richard Welch, a training and development manager at Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, said: “UK tradespeople are facing challenges from all angles, having to work longer days than ever before to survive. The industry is at breaking point.”
Previous research by Volkswagen found that van drivers quitting in large numbers would be disastrous for the UK economy, widening an existing skills gap.
Addressing the Skills Shortage
For now, the focus is on finding ways to reduce the burden on tradespeople and address the skills shortage, an issue that Richard Welch and his team are working to mitigate.