Over four-fifths of employees ‘strongly prefer’ more days working from home than in the office

Since the pandemic caused businesses to pivot to work from home (WFH), the workplace is currently in a state of flux with what the ‘new normal’ should look like. The team of business experts at www.britishbusinessexcellenceawards.co.uk have conducted a survey to over 2,100 UK residents, over the age of 18, to find out the opinions from both employees and business owners, when it comes to working from home, revealing a direct conflict between business owners and employees on the subject.

The study revealed that nearly four-fifths of business owners wanted more days in the office (79%), compared to 72% of employees who said that they were keen for more days working from home.
When employees were asked the reasons for wanting more days working from home, the top reasons were:
1. Flexibility – 55%

2. No commuting costs – 42%

3. More time to spend with family – 38%

4. No childcare costs – 22%

5. Easier to concentrate at home – 15%

On the other hand, the most common reason for business owners wanting their staff in the office was found to be ‘productivity’, with over half of business owners saying this (52%).

It was also found that hybrid work was valued by over four-fifths of employees (87%), stating that they ‘strongly preferred’ a WFH weighted work plan, wanting three or more days WFH in their standard working week. This contrasted with business owners, with two thirds (66%) preferring an office weighted work agreement – with three or more days based in the office.
Sarah Austin, Director of Lloyds Bank British Business Excellence Awards, commented:
“The pandemic has caused many things to change within businesses, and the desire by employees to now have control over where they work is one that we foresee being around for quite some time. While there are clearly some jobs that require the team being onsite, if the job allows them to work from wherever is best for them at the time, then there’s no harm in allowing it. It’s important adults are made to feel like adults, in control of their workload, but also aren’t financially being put out with the rising costs of commuting alongside the rising cost of living.”