The number of UK employees who would like to continue working remotely for at least one day a week has hit 86 per cent, with three-quarters revealing they feel as productive, if not more so, when working at home – according to new research.
The survey found 61 per cent of workers admitted that their views on working from home due to the pandemic had changed, of which 92 per cent said it had been for the better.
The vast majority of respondents stated that one of the most notable advantages of working from home has been the lack of commute. Financial savings and spending more time with family and loved ones also came out on top.
The statistics show that working remotely has been widely-received as beneficial. Employees have noted improvements in productivity as well as work-life balance, ultimately signalling that people are keen to continue to work remotely in the future significantly more so than they did pre-pandemic.
While the study showcased an avid appetite for working from home in the future, it indicated a vast majority were keen for balance, with many seeking to split their time between working in the office and remotely.
The statistics revealed only 15 per cent would want to work remotely every day and nearly three quarters felt that their company should still have an office. The findings showed the main reasons for this centered around team culture, collaboration, meetings, and team socials – but 40 per cent still view the office as a key place for regular desk work.
For key decision makers looking at decreasing their office footprint, the survey indicated employees believe the office space should be prioritised for collaboration, inspiration and real-life social interaction. In addition, most employees would want to meet with their direct team in person on a regular basis, with half stating they would want to once or twice a week.
With businesses quickly realising that Covid-19 will have a lasting impact on accelerating flexibility in mainstream working practices, HubbleHQ encourages companies to pay extra attention to the perspectives of employees to become aligned in what the future of work will look like.
Tushar Agarwal, CEO and Co-Founder of HubbleHQ, that carried out the research, said: “The last ten weeks have proven what ten years of change in working practices has attempted – the working from home experiment works. While businesses have been forced to embrace the future of flexible and remote working, it’s also important that they shift their attitudes to reap the benefits, too. The time to usher in a hybrid office model has arrived, as our latest evidence shows that while the traditional 9-5 office space is no more, employees still very much need and want to work physically alongside their teams in some capacity.
“The age of employee empowerment is well underway and will have a marked influence over real estate office footprints. Employers that adapt to the belief that one size no longer fits all, and prioritise the variety and flexibility employees demand when reassessing their traditional office space, will benefit from a more productive and fulfilled workforce.”
