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New normal is here to stay according to research

Survey finds UK workers want to retain flexible working once the pandemic has passed but some employers are unprepared

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The words flexible working written on a post it note next to a keyboard and a pen

Employers ought to buckle up for a slew of flexible working applications once the current lockdown ends.

New research found most people do not want to go back to anything approaching ‘normal’ office life. However a quarter of employers have still not explored flexible working options.

The research comes from Theta Global Advisors – a chartered accountancy and consultancy firm specialising in freelance working options for the UK private sector. They commissioned a nationally representative survey across over 2,000 UK adults. Participants were asked how they feel about workplace culture now.

Employers

Interestingly commuting came into the equation. Two thirds of people said it was the most stressful part of the day. Unsurprising then that a majority of people (57%) say they don’t want to go back to office life with 9-5 hours.

Many employers recognise that change is afoot. Around half of business leaders interviewed say the the working environment will change for the better due to the virus and lockdowns.

However, a quarter of respondents say their employer hasn’t explored any flexible working options despite the effect of the pandemic. That is something all employers should be wary of.

Benefits

Chris Biggs, Managing Director and Founder of Theta Global Advisors, said, “From the removal of the commute to boosted productivity when working from home, there are numerous benefits to flexible working that the pandemic has uncovered for millions of employers and employees alike. Now, as we head back into nationwide lockdown, many workers will be looking forward to being able to work more flexibly and comfortably. But there will also be a number of people whose employers are still reluctant to compromise. Business leaders would do well to realise that the ‘new normal’ of flexible, remote working is here to stay, and should adapt now to pivot their business, remove unnecessary overheads and commit to a plan for a post-Covid future.”