Share on
The way we work changed dramatically during the pandemic, with lockdown sending millions of office workers to spare rooms, kitchen tables, and makeshift desks.
Now the dust has settled, questions still linger: has remote working become the new normal – permanently? And are we really working from home – or living from work?
Though the pandemic is over, its impact on working patterns definitely isn’t. In fact, data from the Office for National Statistics shows that, between September 2022 and January 2023, 16% of UK workers were still based at home, with 28% working hybrid.
Of those asked, 40% said they’d worked from home at least once in the previous week, and we’re seeing similar scenarios on a global scale. Employees in over 25 countries spend an average of one and a half days working remotely.[1]
Many workers found the transition to home working to be a breath of fresh air: no commute, no rush to catch a train or sit in traffic, and a flexibility they hadn’t experienced before.
Some people also find remote working to be far less distracting than an office environment – water cooler chat might help us feel connected, but it can eat into the day without us noticing. On the flipside, many people find they can focus better and are far more productive working from their own home.
But perhaps the biggest draw of home working lies in the cost – or the lack of it. Cutting out daily travel saves money on fuel and food, something that – particularly with the rising cost of living – matters more than ever.
While some workers can’t imagine ever returning to the office full time, remote working isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. For some, the blurred lines between work and home make it harder to switch off; if your laptop is only a few steps away, it may be tempting to finish that task long after the working day technically ends.
But it’s about more than switching off. In October 2022, Psychology Today reported that remote working had led to a rise in loneliness among employees. That’s not just a wellbeing issue – it can affect productivity and even push people to leave their roles.
The numbers do seem to suggest that remote working is here to stay, at least in some form. Hybrid models are becoming the norm, and employees have come to expect some flexibility. For employers, that means balancing the benefits with the challenges – and supporting people wherever they work.
Did you know that, if you work from home, your standard home policy might not cover you?
At Everywhen, we offer property insurance with options especially designed for remote workers, so you can feel confident your space is protected
[1] The work from home revolution is here to stay – if you’re rich, white and live in London | André Spicer | The Guardian
Consistent with our policy when giving comment and advice on a non-specific basis, we cannot assume legal responsibility for the accuracy of any particular statement. In the case of specific problems, we recommend that professional advice be sought.
The key areas to a management liability policy.
Dedicated to making the complex simple and talking about insurance in a way that everyone can understand.
PI insurance covers you if a client makes a claim against you for financial loss
