We’re now well into the pandemic and with no definitive end in sight, many aspects of life look like they’ve changed for good. For many of us, working from home is the new normal. So normal, in fact, that employers are considering offering it as a more permanent solution, so long as it doesn’t reduce productivity!
Research conducted by Netskope showed that 92% of respondents have found COVID-related home working to be a positive thing.
All 92% of respondents also said they would consider home working as an option in the future, even after the virus has been dealt with successfully (soon we hope!). Up to 75% of those surveyed said they would take advantage of more permanent work from home opportunities if given the opportunity, while 76% said that any job offering permanent work from home options would be a serious benefit.
Big companies such as Facebook, Google, and Twitter have already announced an extension to their home working policy until the end of 2020. It’s likely that others will also follow in their footsteps.
Work from anywhere in the world (almost) – it’s becoming increasingly apparent that if employees working from home are able to manage their time effectively and avoid distractions, the benefits far outweigh the negatives.
Hours on the road – Commuting 15, 45, or even 60 minutes one-way to work can be a pain. Usually, it means waking up earlier in the morning and getting home later in the evening. This time spent traveling to and from work can be put to better use. According to Netskope, cutting out commuting was ranked as the best aspect of working from home for nearly 92% of respondents, followed by being less exposed to the virus at (58%); “better work-life balance” (35%); “fewer disruptions” (34%); and “more productive” (34%).
COVID-19 pandemic has tested and changed our relationships with work and how many of us do our jobs. There’s no real going back, and that means policymakers and business leaders need to plan and prepare so workers and firms are not sidelined by otherwise avoidable problems. With a thoughtful approach to a post-pandemic world, working from home can be a change for good.
