Nearly all of London managers complain about the negative effect the current service levels on the Underground has on their workplace. This unsurprising result comes from a survey by the Industrial Society in which 200 managers in London based organisations participated.

Half of the managers said that late running, disrupted and cancelled services were reducing productivity and that staff absenteeism had increased by 41%. 83% said staff were arriving late for work more frequently, while a further 44% said there was less time to complete essential tasks. Other problems caused by the Tube included greater problems with recruitment (11%) and retention of staff (15%); directly reduced income and profit (9%); and degenerating customer service (31%). Overall staff stress levels were cited as having risen by 81%.

Not only does this have a negative effect on the performance of staff and business, but also on the reputation of London as a business location. One manager said: "London as a financial and commercial centre is in serious danger of decreased productivity and effectiveness due to the impact of the service from the Underground. The city will not be taken seriously enough if the current abysmal service continues. It is no coincidence that morale amongst London’s office workers is decreasing and stress levels are rising."

To combat the level of service offered on the Tube, managers have been forced to respond in a number of different ways. More than three quarters of participants (71%) said more employees required to work from home and a further 65% cited an increased demand for working flexible hours. More staff were using their cars to travel to work (29%), further adding to the already congested traffic levels on London’s roads, and the need for alternative methods of communication such as teleconferencing and on-line meetings had increased (28%).

The stress factor cannot be discounted however. As one respondent commented: "Staff are leaving home earlier in the morning but arriving home later at night - this cuts into their leisure time. They return to work unrested and stressed."

Another said: "Staff who have to work with childcare are under great pressure as they cannot come to work very early and have to return at a certain time. Often the Tube is fine very early and deteriorates. Parents are then late for work, but still have to leave at a specific time due to childcare."

Theo Blackwell, policy specialist and transport analyst at the Industrial Society, stated: "Clearly London’s firms and other organisations feel they are being hit hard by the current level of service on the Tube.

“Managers’ concern over reliability adds tangible burdens on organisations’ in terms of managing the consequences of staff of all levels arriving late or being absent. It affects staff morale by impinging on their work-life balance, particularly so with parents. It also undermines stress management and general well-being in the workplace.

"In the absence of a settlement on the future financing of the Underground and extra investment in the network, government should recognise and assist employers and managers to deal with the added burdens placed upon them."

Jessica Jarlvi

www.indsoc.co.uk