We don’t want to return to office

ALMOST half of Australians who have been working from home do not want to return to the workplace — but it’s their annoying colleagues and daily commute putting them off more than any potentiallydeadly virus.

Exclusive figures from Dynata revealed 43 per cent of 1025 surveyed workers would rather continue from home, with 72 per cent saying they did not want to commute again and 53 per cent enjoying their space from managers and colleagues too much.

Corporate Dojo founder and people leadership expert Karen Gately said it was not just introverts finding benefit in working away from other people.

“It’s also the extroverts with less temptation to be distracted,” she said.

Ms Gately said workers could avoid micromanaging bosses and energy-draining colleagues, too.

“Some people are enjoying being connected via video conferencing but at the same time not having to be surrounded by certain colleagues or conflicts on a daily basis,” she said.

“Politics and office gossip are a lot harder from afar.”

Meanwhile, research from software company Zoho found cutting out the daily commute saved workers not only time but money. Chief strategy officer Vijay Sundaram said the average Australian spent about $9.50 commuting to and from work every day.

“Long, often costly, commutes are a common gripe for many, but working from home allows people to spend their time more productively; whether that be working or spending time with family,” he said.