Working from home has proved a great success, with many firms set to continue

MORE than three-quarters of businesses plan to encourage employees to work from home more often when lockdown ends, a new survey has revealed.

However, for many it may not be a full-time domestic set-up, with ‘dual working’ between the office and home being favoured by many firms.

With movement restrictions forcing employees to work remotely during the pandemic, it appears to have been a success for many organisations, as the majority now want it to remain a long-term feature of their business.

A poll carried out by software firm HRLocker on 370 CEOs and chief human resources officers found that many companies want to introduce a form of ‘dual working’, where workers split their time between home and the office.

More than 40% plan for employees to spend a minimum of three days out of the office.

The main reason given for this switch to dual working is to create a better work/life balance for employees (83%), followed by cost savings, such as office rent and travel subsidies (55%). Just 14% of companies surveyed said remote work was not a feasible option for its employees. HRLocker CEO Adam Coleman said working from home can increase creativity and innovation.

‘It’s crazy to think it took a pandemic for us to realise the multiple benefits of dual working,’ he said.

‘I believe companies that embrace the shift to this healthier, more efficient way of working will emerge stronger and more successful in the long run.’ However, there were downsides to remote working, as employee stress was a concern for almost half of companies.

Despite these concerns, only one in five admit they have done nothing for employee well-being.

‘Remote working presents its own set of HR challenges that must be addressed if it is to be sustainable in the long term,’ Mr Coleman added.

‘Out of sight should not mean out of mind.

‘Adequate processes and tools must be introduced to ensure those working remotely do not begin to feel isolated, that their workloads are manageable, and they are engaged.’