The business industry underwent a drastic change in the past year. Remote working became the new normal for more than half of UK businesses, and 8.7 million employees were furloughed. However, there are mixed opinions on remote working and whether it should continue to be the norm for the future.
Banner printers instantprint, surveyed UK office workers to find out how they feel about returning to office work. More than a third of UK employees would like to work from home full-time for the rest of their career. Only a quarter of UK employees want to go back to the office part-time, and a fifth said they are more than happy to return to the workplace full-time. Whether you prefer remote or office work is completely dependent on your living situation, career and personality.
However, there are some common factors of office work that UK employees miss. As it turns out, socialising is the number one thing UK employees miss from their company office. Small talk, gossiping, lunch breaks and socialising is an integral part of office culture and arguably, one of the best parts of working in a team. Remote workers found it difficult to adjust to the isolation of working from home and struggled to maintain their relationships with co-workers.
Another big difference between office and remote work comes down to professional image. Some remote workers found they felt less professional and business-focussed while hosting meetings from home. It is a little strange to have your living room and personal possessions in the background of a serious business call.
Fortunately, flexible meeting room spaces are an excellent solution to this issue. If you are still working remotely, you could book a meeting room space for your important calls and select hourly slots every week.
There are also numerous benefits to working from home. UK employees found they could manage a healthier work-life balance while working remotely. Without a lengthy commute and business travel obligations, employees had more time at home with their families and friends. Remote work also allows us to spend lunch breaks tidying the house, doing laundry or catching up on our favourite TV show.
The traditional 9-5 work model is gradually being replaced by flexible working hours. Businesses across the UK are adopting a flexible approach to work so that employees can choose their working hours and whether they work in the office or at home.
For the most part, businesses are offering three days in the office and two days at home. A flexible approach allows employees to experience the benefits of office work and remote work. They can maintain an office culture and strong team bonds while allowing employees to enjoy home life.
