The loneliness of the car office worker

Recreating an office behind a steering wheel may sound odd, but for the growing number of car-based workers on Britain's roads it is fast becoming part of everyday life.

In order to establish common working patterns used by those on the road, a research team from Glasgow University's geography department, funded by the Economic Social Science Research Council, accompanied six mobile professionals on their working week.

Research fellow Eric Laurier said: "Because more service companies are sending employees out of the office to develop stronger relationships with clients, more car makers are developing models tailored specifically to be used as an office space.

"But without a real understanding of how this kind of life operates, manufacturers cannot develop products to help the worker become even more mobile."

An employee who has to use his or her car as an office has to be able to make a deft use of sticky notes, swift screen calls and good navigational skills.

They also need to be able to set up meeting points where similarly placed workmates can catch up over a roadside cup of coffee.

The lack of a permanent base has also resulted in an increased dependence on the mobile telephone.

"They miss the personal interaction an office environment provides and can get very lonely," Dr Laurier said.