How much travel time should you accept during track 2?
- 15/05/2026
- Posted by: Rosalie Derksen
- Categories: Geen onderdeel van een categorie, Uncategorized
During a track 2 trajectory, finding new employment is central, but what happens when potential employers are located far from your place of residence? The question of acceptable travel time regularly comes up during reintegration trajectories and can be an important factor in the success of your external placement.
Accepting travel time during track 2 is more than just a practical consideration. It’s about finding the right balance between realistic expectations and maximizing your opportunities in the job market. Understanding what is considered reasonable helps you make informed decisions during your search for new work.
What is considered reasonable travel time during track 2?
Reasonable travel time during track 2 is typically a maximum of 90 minutes one way, depending on job level and regional labor market conditions. This standard serves as a starting point for determining your search area and is used when establishing the search profile.
However, the 90-minute rule is not an absolute law. Labor experts look at multiple factors when determining what is reasonable in your specific situation. In sparsely populated areas or for highly specialized positions, a longer travel time may be acceptable. Conversely, in urban areas with good job market opportunities, a shorter travel time may be considered reasonable.
The search profile established during phase 1 of your track 2 trajectory contains concrete agreements about the geographical search area. This profile must be realistic and align with your capacity, with travel time forming an important part of the total workload.
What factors determine if travel time is acceptable?
The acceptability of travel time is determined by your capacity, job level, regional job market, availability of public transport, and personal circumstances, such as your health and financial situation.
Your capacity plays a crucial role. If you are limited in energy due to illness, a long travel time can have a disproportionately large impact on your work performance. The occupational physician and labor expert therefore always assess your total capacity, including travel time.
Job level significantly influences expectations. For management positions or highly specialized roles, a longer travel time is generally considered acceptable than for executive functions. This is related to the scarcity of such positions and the associated salary level.
Regional labor market conditions form a practical factor. In areas with little employment in your field, a larger search radius may be necessary. The UWV takes into account the local labor market situation and available alternatives in its assessment.
How does acceptable travel time differ by job level?
Acceptable travel time varies from 60 minutes for executive functions to 120 minutes for specialist and management positions, with higher job levels justifying more flexibility in travel time due to limited availability.
For executive and administrative functions, a travel time of maximum 60 to 75 minutes one way typically applies. These functions are often more widely available in the job market, making a shorter search radius realistic. Moreover, the travel time is often not proportional to the salary level.
Middle management and specialist functions have more flexibility, with acceptable travel times up to 90 minutes. The higher salary level and more specific requirements make a larger search radius defensible. These functions are also less frequently available in every region.
For senior management and highly specialized expert functions, travel time can extend to 120 minutes or more. The scarcity of such positions and the associated salary level justify longer travel times. These often involve unique opportunities that don’t come along daily.
What are your rights if travel time seems unreasonable?
You have the right to object to unreasonable travel time requirements through your track 2 supervisor, where the labor expert can adjust the search profile if travel time is not proportional to your capacity or job level.
The search profile is established in consultation and must be realistic. If you feel the proposed travel time is too long, you can discuss this during the establishment of the trajectory plan. Your supervisor can present arguments for adjustment of the geographical search area.
Important arguments for adjustment are:
- Medical limitations that make long travel times impossible
- Disproportionate travel costs relative to salary
- Sufficient job market opportunities within shorter distance
- Personal circumstances, such as care obligations
The final report must demonstrate that all realistic options have been utilized. If a travel time is truly unreasonable, this can become part of the argument for why certain vacancies were not suitable. Documentation of your objections and their justification is essential.
How do you prepare for discussions about travel time?
Prepare by determining your maximum travel time in advance, calculating travel costs, researching alternatives, and formulating concrete arguments that align with your capacity and personal situation.
Make a realistic assessment of what is feasible for you. Consider not only travel time, but also the impact on your energy and work performance. A track 2 trajectory requires honesty about your possibilities and limitations.
Calculate the financial impact of different travel times. Consider:
- Fuel costs or public transport costs
- Travel time as unpaid time
- Possible parking costs
- Vehicle wear and tear
- Possible childcare costs due to longer working days
Research alternative transportation options and flexible working hours. Some employers offer opportunities for remote work, flexible hours, or allowances that make travel time more acceptable. You can include this information in discussions about your search profile.
What alternatives are there if travel time is too long?
Alternatives for long travel times are remote work, flexible working hours, temporary accommodation, relocation, job adjustments, or expansion of the search profile to related functions in the nearby area.
Hybrid work is increasingly accepted and can significantly reduce long travel times. If you can work from home two days a week, for example, a longer travel time for the remaining days often becomes more acceptable. Actively discuss these possibilities during job interviews.
Flexible working hours can help by making travel outside rush hours possible. This not only shortens travel time but also makes traveling more comfortable and cheaper. Some employers also offer travel expense reimbursements that exceed the legal minimum.
Expanding your search profile to related functions can open up more opportunities close to home. Sometimes this means additional training or accepting a slightly different job level, but this can significantly shorten travel time and offer new career opportunities.
How UFIND helps with travel time issues during track 2
We understand that travel time is a crucial factor in the success of your track 2 trajectory. Our experienced supervisors help you establish a realistic search profile that takes into account your personal situation and capacity.
Our approach to travel time issues:
- Thorough analysis of your capacity and personal circumstances
- Realistic assessment of acceptable travel times for your job level
- Active search for flexible employers and hybrid opportunities
- Guidance in negotiations about working hours and travel expense reimbursements
- Solid documentation for UWV accountability
Through our experience with both reintegration and recruitment, we know the job market from both sides. This helps us set realistic expectations and find creative solutions that work for you and future employers. Contact us for a no-obligation conversation about your situation and possibilities.