Car hire for flexible workers: is it worth it?
Are you a flexible worker in the UK thinking through your travel options? Discover 5 benefits of car rental.
Since 2014, all workers in England, Scotland and Wales have had the right to request flexible working from all employers. In return, employers have had to handle requests "in a reasonable manner" – and if they don't, they could end up in an employment tribunal.
Flexible working is a broad term that encompasses a lot of different work patterns: job shares, remote and hybrid working, part-time work, compressed hours, flexitime, annualised hours, staggered hours and phased retirement.
If your work falls into one of these categories, considerations arise that full-time workers don't have to deal with. Getting a home office, say, or finding ways to build exercise into your day.
There's also the question of transport. Travelling to and from your workplace every day? You're going to want either a public transport card or a vehicle of your own. But if you're working flexibly, this kind of commitment may not seem cost-effective.
What to do? First things first, it's time to do some sums.
Is it cost-effective?
The cost-effectiveness of car rental will depend on your particular circumstances. To figure it out, you need two things. First, to know your incomings and outgoings in detail. Second, to know how much car rental would cost.
If you don't know how much money you have to play with each month, you won't be able to judge the cost-effectiveness of a car rental agreement. Your particular circumstances may dictate that public transport or even walking is better for your bank balance.
But these calculations can't be made with any accuracy without knowing how much car rental costs – and this involves comparing the costs of different providers. To this end, you can use cost comparison websites or ask companies directly for quotes.
The main thing is to weigh up the state of your finances and figure out whether it would save you money to rent a car.
But even if you make this decision in favour of car rental, you may still have reservations. Here, then, are five benefits of car hire for flexible workers.
What are the benefits of car hire for flexible workers?
1. Reduced expenses
Car rental isn't unlike getting taxis. It's cost-effective if the amount you spend on it doesn't exceed the average costs of car insurance, MOTs and road tax.
If your job requires you to travel irregularly, it may not be worth paying those fees for a car that will spend most of the time in the garage. Instead, go for car rental and free up a bit of your budget for other things.
2. Flexible transport for flexible workers
Unless you're loaded, your choice of car will be restricted to what you can afford. You often have to settle for a car that does the job but doesn't quite match the car of your dreams. On top of that, you'll often be paying it off for a long time.
With car rental, you get to punch above your weight and hire the car you've always wanted to drive. If you decide for any reason it's not for you, you can switch it for another one.
3. Eco-friendliness
If you rent a car, you can drive a vehicle above your pay scale – one that's newly furnished, fitted with the latest gadgets and fuel-efficient.
This last point is increasingly important as sustainability and climate action continue to dominate the global conversation. Unless you've got a new and expensive model, your vehicle may be high on emissions, increasing the carbon footprint of your business. Renting, however, can bring down those emissions as well as your outgoings.
4. Cover
Even the newest model can break down sometimes. This is never welcome, but it's especially unfortunate if you're travelling for work.
With a rental car, you can pay for breakdown cover. If you get into trouble, a replacement car will be sent out at no extra cost.
Before you sign on the dotted line, however, be sure you understand what is and is not included in the insurance.
5. No hanging around
Often, the choice for flexible workers is between a rental car and public transport.
Public transport has its advantages, but one thing's for sure – commuters spend a lot of time hanging around, whether through delays, cancellations or connections.
It may be, of course, that these are cancelled out by the time you'd spend sitting in traffic in your rental car. This is why it's so important to take your routes into account before making a decision.
Car hire for taxi drivers
So far, we've looked at car rental for flexible workers who need a car now and then. But what if you're a taxi driver who needs it for every shift?
Firms like Uber and Bolt let drivers rent their vehicles. Depending on your shift patterns, earnings and outgoings, this can be a good choice. It means that your passengers get a top-of-the-range ride and you get a car that's fuel-efficient and easy to handle.
There's no simple answer to the question of whether you should hire a car for taxi work – but it's certainly an option that's worth considering.
How we can help
By now, you'll have an idea of whether car rental is right for you. The next challenge is sourcing a suitable vehicle in a crowded marketplace.
At MVH Rental, we have a fleet of rental cars ready to go. Our rental agreements are flexible and affordable, getting you behind the wheel of a vehicle suited to your individual circumstances.
So, if you're a flexible worker looking to
rent a car in the North East, don't hesitate to
get in touch. We'll have you on the road in no time.
All Rights Reserved | Metro Vehicle Hire