The recent fuel crisis, which saw a shortage of fuel reaching petrol stations all over the country, has caused a lot of disruption for businesses and workers. Fuel deliveries have been delayed and customers and workers have been left unable to travel, leaving many businesses across the UK somewhat in limbo.
Though the crisis is starting to ease, the risk of another fuel shortage remains, and it’s therefore important for UK workers to protect themselves should another crisis arise. Here are a few ways you can protect yourself for this purpose if you work in the UK.
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Look At Alternative Ways to Travel
If you usually drive to work, another fuel crisis would obviously cause severe disruption to your schedule. To mitigate this possibility, try to find other ways to commute to work. These can include active transport, with the University of Oxford citing cycling and walking as options.
Active transport can often be more beneficial than driving anyway, as the former is more environmentally sustainable and exercise could improve your physical and mental health. However, there are caveats to this approach, as many businesses may not have the facilities to accommodate bicycles, or you may live too far away for it to be a viable option.
In situations like these, you could consider using public transport instead. Many modern offices have good links to local public transport routes, be they for buses or trains. There are, for example, serviced offices in Victoria located near the St. James’s Park station of the London Underground, making it easier for employees to commute without cars.
Many public transport services offer businesses discounts and pass for employees as well. Consider car-sharing with a fellow worker as well, if this is possible.
Work Remotely (If Possible)
Remote working has been around for a long time, but the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in more and more businesses utilizing it. Though the pandemic has subsided and workers are starting to come back into the office, another fuel crisis could mean that working from home will remain crucial for many employees.
Work-from-home arrangements are easier for some businesses than others, with public-facing industries possibly not having the option at all. However, where it is practically possible, letting more employees work from home would eliminate the need for them to commute and could help reduce risks incurred by any further fuel shortages.
Don’t Panic
The most important thing to do should another fuel crisis arise is: stay calm and avoid panic-buying fuel. As established by an I analysis of fuel data in October, the fuel crisis was caused primarily by customers’ panic-buying fuel rather than deliveries to filling stations falling.
Another fuel crisis would inevitably bring further disruption for workers, but it is key that you don’t panic if all of this does happen. You should plan ahead and discuss alternative commuting options with your workplace.
Should another fuel crisis indeed take place, businesses that have made plans and taken measures to ensure their employees can keep working regardless of travel problems will be able to survive the worst of the crisis?
