Home workers not keen on return to office

Fewer than half of people working from home as a result of the COVID-19 crisis are keen to return to the office, a new study suggests.

Many of those surveyed by jobs site Glassdoor said they were expecting their working environment to undergo significant changes when they lockdown restrictions are eventually lifted.

Around half of the 2,000 employees questioned said they believed they would be back in their office in some capacity in the next few months.

However, there were some who said it would be likely that they would continue working from home until next year.

Most respondents said they expected to have to sit two metres apart from their colleagues.

And also face restrictions on the use of corridors and communal spaces such as kitchens.

According to the survey, one in four expect everyone will have to wear masks.

The survey also found that, despite these logistical challenges, many wanted to socialise with colleagues again or were simply tired of working by themselves from home.

Joe Wiggins, of Glassdoor, said: "Many people are understandably cautious about returning to the office.

“Imagining all sorts of restrictions ranging from which entrances and exits they can use to how they get a cup of coffee.

"Wearing a mask and gloves all day sitting at a desk does not sound like much fun.

“So much so that 63% of employees are open to working from home full time and never going back to the office."