Work from Home: Most office workers will never return full-time

According to a survey, the majority believe that people will continue to work from home and not return to the office full-time after the Covid pandemic.

70% of 1,684 people surveyed predict that workers will “never return to offices at the same rate”.

Most people said they would prefer to work from home at least some of the time, if not all. Over three quarters of people surveyed think their manager will let them carry on.

But managers are concerned that continual time at home will adversely affect creativity in the workplace.

Half of the 530 senior leaders polled by YouGov said that working from home would have an impact on collaboration and creativity. In comparison, only 38% of others believed this would happen.

Bosses of major firms such as technology giant Apple and investment bank Goldman Sachs reject people’s calls for more flexibility. The banker even labelled home-working an “aberration”.

However, both managers and the public agree that continuing to work from home will not harm the economy or productivity.

Wanting to be in the office

One worker, Maisie Lawrinson, who joined TalkTalk in July through the government’s Kickstart jobs scheme, wants to be in the office as much as possible. The scheme helps young people between the age of 16 to 24 on Universal Credit to find temporary roles via Jobcentre coaches.

While she is grateful for the six-month contract, she is keen to have a physical presence in the office to enable her to make a good impression. Her previous work experience in retail means she has never had a job requiring her to speak to people online or by email. She feels she is “more productive” when at the office because “it’s more of a professional environment and you get to see people”.

She has worked at the company for a few months now, but only recently met her colleagues in person for the first time, as she has always been working remotely. They went out together for team drinks. It was nice for Maisie to finally put a face to the email, and get an idea of who everybody is.

Although she will still take the opportunity to work from home on some days towards the end of the week.

Changing work culture

Over 60% of those polled believe that young people working from home will find it harder to progress in their career than those working in the office. They think they may struggle without any face-to-face contact or in-person mentoring and training.

Those aged under 25 were hit particularly hard by job losses or less hours at the start of the coronavirus pandemic.

The pandemic may have widened some inequalities, but on the other hand may have improved some others. Half of workers polled think working from home will help boost women’s careers. This is because it helps them to juggle work with childcare duties easier.

Antony Howard, a procurement officer for a defence company, has enjoyed the benefits of working from home over the past 16 months. He has saved money on coffee shops and saved time on travelling. The reduced commute is helping to cut his carbon emissions, and makes him feel more productive.

However, he has worries about newer recruits to the company, as some new young apprentices have never been on-site. He feels that the hybrid scenario is great for older workers with experience. But younger people at the start of their career need the structure and experience of the workplace environment.

Although he does hope that the pandemic will “recalibrate” the workplace, making home-working “the new now”, not just a novelty.

Contingency plans

Prime Minister Boris Johnson recommended a “gradual return to work” in England during the summer months as Covid restrictions lifted. Meanwhile, other areas of the UK still advise people to continue working remotely if they can.

But home-working remains part of the government’s Plan B if there is unsustainable pressure on the NHS in winter. Office staff working remotely full-time could become the norm again in England.

Member of the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage), Professor Andrew Hayward, believes the policy could make “a significant difference to transmission if we get into trouble”. This is because the most effective way to reduce spreading the virus is to not come into contact with others.

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