Most Brits think working from home is a positive thing

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Due to the on-going COVID-19 pandemic, more people than ever have spent time working from home. With nationwide lockdown restrictions and social distancing measures in place, most organisations were forced to down tools and find new ways to operate. While some industries ground to a standstill, others found innovative ways to keep going.
As staff were stuck at home and offices remained empty, distributed workforces were quickly cobbled together to ensure companies could continue functioning. Despite the odd dropped connection or interruptions from youngsters being home-schooled, the work-from-home revolution appears to have been an undeniable success.
After months of remote working, the majority of Brits want to continue to operate in this way. In one study, completed by the University of Southampton and Cardiff University, 9 out of 10 workers maintain they would like to continue working from home ‘in some capacity’, while nearly 50% want to work from home ‘often or all the time’.
With so many Brits keen to continue working from home, has COVID-19 changed the way we work forever?
Remote working: here to stay?
Prior to 2020, approximately 5% of the UK workforce – 1.7 million people – worked from home on a regular basis. By April 2020, this had risen to 46.6%, with 86% reporting that they had worked from home due to the coronavirus pandemic. With almost 16 million people working from home for at least part of 2020, a significant number of people have been introduced to remote working for the first time.
Based on studies conducted since then, it certainly seems as though the transition has been a happy one. Employees are reporting that the increased flexibility associated with remote working provides them with a happier work-life balance and makes their career more enjoyable.
While some jobs don’t lend themselves to remote working, a great many do, particularly in the digital era. As many businesses have made use of remote working software and tools, many employees have been able to work as effectively at home as they do in the office.
Although employees appear keen to continue working from home, it’s the companies that have the deciding vote. So, has the work from home revolution been a commercial success, as well as a happy evolution for employees?
Are businesses still profitable?
When examining the commercial viability of work from home models, it’s important to recognise the impact COVID-19 has had – and is continuing to have – on British businesses. Many companies were forced to close their doors altogether when the lockdown restrictions were first introduced in the UK, which consequently destroyed their cash flow and reduced their income to nil. Sadly, a significant proportion of these will find it difficult, if not impossible, to recover from the long trading hiatus.
With this in mind, assessing the long-term viability of remote working requires a multi-pronged approach:
Productivity
Companies rely on employees to operate a maximum productivity. When businesses are operating efficiently, it increases their profitability, so it’s no wonder that employers are constantly searching for ways to increase the productivity of their staff.
For years, there’s been an unspoken belief that people who work from home typically work fewer hours or put in less effort than those working on site. The potential for distractions or the temptation to slack off has led some people to believe that working from home will inevitably have a negative impact on productivity.
In fact, the facts show otherwise. In some studies, more than 40% of employees have reported working longer hours from home than they did when working on site. In others, approx. 37% reported working the same number of hours, 30% reported working more hours and 33% reported working fewer hours. Bear in mind, however, that many firms were forced to cut employees’ hours due to financial constraints.
It seems, therefore, that working from home doesn’t negatively impact the effort that employees put into their work. If early reports are anything to go by, it may be that employees are working harder than ever whilst operating from remote locations.
Security
In a digital landscape, security is a major concern for companies and organisations. Even with employees working on-site, millions are spent trying to secure networks and protect data. When people are working remotely and using a variety of different devices, it can be more challenging for companies to implement effective cybersecurity measures.
Despite this, developers and tech firms are working tirelessly to deliver secure tools to facilitate home working. You only have to look at this website to see just what’s available in terms of IT support. Providing companies have dedicated in-house teams or IT managed services, the range of tech solutions available shouldn’t put their data, systems or businesses at risk.
Costs
Of course, one of the major factors for businesses will be whether remote working costs more or less. If working from home did reduce productivity, they would need to balance this against the potential costs saved, for example.
However, productivity appears to be largely unaffected by the transition towards widespread remote working, which means homeworking could potentially be a cost-saver for companies. If the costs associated with maintaining remote teams is less than providing on-site workspace, it’s highly likely that companies will embrace this new way of working.
Indeed, companies typically spend millions of leasing or buying commercial property. Despite reports of signs of commercial property investment activity beginning to rise, many people report that the balance of power is shifting away from landlords and towards tenants.
While companies have largely eschewed mainstream work-from-home proposals, the need for remote working solutions in 2020 has forced them to embrace the possibilities it offers. With millions to be saved on commercial property, companies could find that mainstream remote working will make them more profitable than ever before.
Will we get ‘back to the office’?
In a bid to restart the economy, the Government has been urging Brits to return to their respective workplaces. To date, their calls have gone unanswered. Major employers have confirmed that their staff can continue working from home and, somewhat embarrassingly, the civil service has advertised a number of permanent work-from-home job roles.
So, why are Brits so hesitant to return to the office?
While a significant number of people are understandably worried about the health implications of returning to work while COVID-19 remains a threat, this isn’t the main reason that most Brits are eager to keep working from home.
Research conducted by O2 Business, in partnership with YouGov, ICM and Cenex, shows that 30% want to reduce the cost of their commute, 23% want to avoid wasting time commuting and 17% want to work from home to avoid the stress of commuting.
It should come as no surprise that Brits are fed up with commuting to work every day. Ever-increasing price hikes and seemingly arbitrary services make getting to work via public transport more challenging than it should be. Combined with lengthy traffic jams for drivers and potentially dangerous highways for cyclists, there is little to look forward to when you’re faced with a lengthy commute every day.
When you’re working from home, however, the commute typically consists of making your way from your bedroom to your study, or your bed to your sofa. In terms of time, money and stress, it’s incomparable to the daily struggle of cramming on to packed trains or sitting in never-ending tailbacks.
What does the future of work look like?
Although remote working was essential in the earlier part of 2020, the easing of lockdown restrictions and the declining economy has led the Government to call upon companies to reinstate normal working arrangements.
However, major companies – having caught sight of the increased profitability on offer – have resisted the Government’s demands thus far. Similarly, employees who have maintained their productivity and income, whilst reducing their stress levels, are eager for remote working to become the norm.
Currently, the Government seems pitted against corporations and staff in the remote working debate and, like most major trends, the eventual winner will depend on which style of working makes companies more profitable. Sadly, the environmental benefits associated with remote working and the enhanced work-life balance for employees will fall by the wayside once profits come into question.
If the Government – eager to restart the economy and recoup its funds via exorbitant public transport fees for commuters – can offer companies a financial incentive to return to the status quo, employees may find themselves herded back into the office quicker than they realise. Conversely, if companies can drastically cut their expenditure and maintain the same – or better – levels of productivity, they’ll embrace remote working with open arms.
In a year in which billions has already been spent propping up the economy, the real question of whether remote working is here to stay is how much the Government is willing to spend to get rid of it. Until then, the on-going economic benefits for corporations and the alluring work-life balance for employees will see remote working continue to thrive.