In a recent survey conducted by TonerGiant, a glimpse into the evolving landscape of the British workforce post-COVID-19 has emerged.
With 1,000 nationally representative British workers participating, the study aimed to gauge sentiments surrounding the prevalent hybrid working model and the changing dynamics of the workplace.
The findings unveiled that the average Brit now works two days from home, indicating a significant shift in work habits since the onset of the pandemic.
Remarkably, a quarter of the respondents expressed a desire to embrace fully remote work, marking a notable departure from the traditional office-centric approach.
Hybrid Work Trends:
- 22 percent of brits work two days from home: The most common hybrid working routine involves 22 percent of Brits working remotely for two days each week.
- 81 percent work from home at least once a week: The majority, 81 percent, incorporate at least one day of remote work into their weekly routine.
- 25 percent aspire for fully remote work: Notably, 25 percent of surveyed individuals expressed a preference for full-time remote work, while only 7 percent wished to return to the office on a full-time basis.
Employee Sentiments:
- 44 percent would consider leaving jobs with full-time office requirement: A significant 44percent admitted they would contemplate leaving their current job if compelled to return to the office full time.
- 59 percent feel more productive at home: A majority, 59 percent, believe they are more productive when working from home, compared to 17 percent who feel more productive in the office.
- 40 percent experience More Anxiety in In-Person Meetings: The survey revealed that 40percent of respondents feel more anxious attending in-person meetings rather than engaging in video calls.
Work-Life Balance and Well-being:
- 64 percent believe overall quality of life improved: Despite concerns about COVID-19, 64% of Brits feel that their overall quality of life has improved since adopting a remote work setup.
- 52 percent feel improved diet; 48 percent exercise more at home: A significant portion, 52percent, claimed that their diet is better when working from home, and 48 percent feel more inclined to exercise.
- 50 percent miss social aspect of office life: While remote work has its advantages, 50percent of respondents miss the social interactions that come with working in an office.
Demographic Trends:
- Women and millennials more inclined towards remote work: The data suggests that women (52%) are more in favour of working from home than men (43%). Millennials (51%) are more resistant to full-time office roles compared to those aged 55 and over (31%).
Commenting on the findings, Stuart Deavall from TonerGiant emphasised the growing preference for hybrid work and the need for employers to adapt to this shift in work culture.
Amelia Brand is the Editor for HRreview, and host of the HR in Review podcast series. With a Master’s degree in Legal and Political Theory, her particular interests within HR include employment law, DE&I, and wellbeing within the workplace. Prior to working with HRreview, Amelia was Sub-Editor of a magazine, and Editor of the Environmental Justice Project at University College London, writing and overseeing articles into UCL’s weekly newsletter. Her previous academic work has focused on philosophy, politics and law, with a special focus on how artificial intelligence will feature in the future.
