A quick look at homeworking after COVID-19

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Just 15% of businesses want to increase homeworking, and predictions that everyone will be working from home after COVID-19 appear to be unfounded. As we enter the final stages of the lockdown and the vaccine rollout continues at pace, businesses are looking at the how they will operate once the restrictions are lifted, and it seems the office will still play a vital role for most businesses. The most recent ONS data on homeworking can help understand why.

First, just under 15% of businesses across all sectors intend to increase homeworking going forward. This differs across sectors, but what is also striking is the high level of uncertainty.

Second, the key factor dissuading businesses from implementing more homeworking is a lack of suitability for their business. Reduced productivity, reduced communication and a negative impact on culture are all key concerns for businesses in sectors that rely on strong collaboration between staff and teams.

A breakdown of the effect of homeworking on productivity shows the impact to be negative in the view of most businesses. The only exception is the IT sector.

Lastly, of the companies that do want to implement more homeworking, improved staff wellbeing and reduced overheads seem to the main motivators.

Where Now Consulting has released an in-depth report on the future of the office and office workers in partnership with the British Contract Furniture Association, which you can download here.

About Where Now Consulting Ltd: Where Now Consulting is a management consulting company that focuses on helping its clients to grow and compete. The company offers a range of consulting services, including business turnaround and performance improvement, formulating market entry strategies, mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures and alliances, and sales and distribution strategy and management.

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