Why are People Still Working from Home Despite no Covid Restrictions?
With people slowly returning to the workplace as restrictions have been lifted, it seems there is still some reticence among British employees, especially in London.
Return to the office
In England, government guidelines suggest that it is no longer necessary to work from home due to Covid. As a result, many companies are encouraging employees to rejoin the office. However, there has also been a growing trend of “hybrid working” (a mix of working from home and working from the office) and some companies have instated working from home for the foreseeable future.
In fact, research by Gallagher insurance brokerage, one third of 1,000 surveyed employers in London stated they had faced resistance about the return to the office and over half of London employees are still working from home. Around the rest of the UK, only 18-20% are showing resistance about returning to the office.
Personal preference
When asked why they do not want to return to the office, the main reason tends to be personal preference with many employees preferring the flexibility and work-life balance allowed by working from home. This is especially true for those who have to factor in childcare responsibilities.
Other top reasons cited for the preference include greater productivity or relocation. When comparing statistics from now versus in 2020, fewer people are choosing to stay home due to Covid (57% in 2020; 42% in 2022). Importantly, of those surveyed, the majority said that working from home does not impact their ability to progress in the company.
However, as a result of remote working, 60% of surveyed employees feel less connected to their work colleagues.
Saving on costs
Another reason for continuing to work remotely is the amount of money it could potentially save. For those with a daily commute, not only are they saving hours of time per week by working from home, they are also saving significant transportation costs. 2020 data from The Office for National Statistics (ONS) suggested
“With employees realising they can do their jobs from the comfort of their own home, many are loath to return to the office. As a result, employers trying to recruit top talent need to offer as many ‘perks’ as possible.”
“One of the perks that has become essential is the ability to work from home, at least some of the time. The hiring market has become increasingly competitive so employers know that if they are going to recruit and retain talent, they must be able to offer work flexibility.”
Comments
Post a Comment