Why 34% Of Workers Want to Remain Working from Home Forever
The COVID-19 pandemic has fundamentally changed the way many people perceive working life and their role in the workforce. With social distancing measures and countless lockdowns, countless offices in cities across the UK (and across the world at large) have pivoted to a working from home solution. Cutting out the commute and settling into a daily routine that doesn’t involve fighting for a seat on the bus has been a revelation for millions of us.
According to a study of 2,000 Brits focused around all things working from home by business card printing experts at instantprint, 34% not only love working from home but never want to return to a traditional working environment.
That is a pretty staggering statistic when you really think about it. The vast majority of those surveyed might have never even considered working from home before the pandemic but they’ve spent the last 6 months or so coming to the realisation that life doesn’t have to be all about finding a balance between work and your social life.
Of course, an equal number (another 34%) also want to go back to the office full-time but that leaves only a small number who actually want things to go back to the way things were before. Indeed, only 11% find that there are too many distractions at home and wish to return to the office full time.
What is it about working from home that so many former office workers love though?
Finances – For employees and business owners, the financial benefits of working from home should be immediately obvious. With no office space to buy or rent, businesses could save thousands every year on rent, utilities and more. There is also tax relief available for those working from home if you’re willing to contact the HMRC.
Convenience – You’ll never be late for work again (unless you sleep in) and the time you’ll save on the commute (which could be hours) can be spent either getting an extra hour of sleep (therefore making you happier) or doing an extra hour’s work (therefore making you more productive). It really is a win-win in that regard.
Productivity – Speaking of productivity, you’ll notice how much more work gets done when the distractions of the workplace are taken out of the equation. The quiet and peacefulness of the home working environment means that employees will be able to focus squarely on the task at hand. As long as they don’t get tempted by social media, of course!
Ultimately, working from home has brought many of us one of the things we never thought we’d be able to achieve – the perfect work/life balance. Yes, it’s frustrating that we can’t enjoy the freedoms we once did (at least for now) but in many ways, COVID has hastened a movement that was always going to happen anyway given the direction technology is moving in. Working from home is the new normal and it’s about time we all got on board with that!
