The future of remote work is being questioned by a former Asda executive, sparking controversy over productivity and face-to-face interaction.
The Great Remote Work Debate: Is Working from Home Damaging Productivity?
Lord Rose, former boss of Marks and Spencer and Asda, has sparked controversy by claiming that working from home is “not proper work” and that employees’ productivity is suffering as a result. His comments come as some companies are calling time on remote working, citing concerns over productivity and the impact on face-to-face interaction.
The Rise of Hybrid Working
According to a recent Office for National Statistics (ONS) survey, 26% of people in the UK have been hybrid-working in the past seven days, with some days spent in the workplace and others at home. While this shift has transformed local economies, it’s also led to concerns over productivity and the impact on face-to-face interaction.
The Productivity Puzzle
Prof Nicholas Bloom, a Stanford University economist, suggests that employees in their teens and early 20s should be in the office at least four days a week to maximize their opportunities for being mentored. However, his research also shows that workers value the ability to work from home for two days a week as much as an 8% pay rise.
The Benefits of Flexible Working
Employment rights minister Justin Madders argues that working from home is more productive and good for growth because companies will have “a much more motivated workforce” if employees are able to work flexibly. He also believes that increasing the number of roles which can be done from home could help with economic growth by encouraging more people back into work, such as those with caring responsibilities.
The Human Cost
For some people, flexible working is a matter of life and death. Harleen, who was made redundant after having her second child, has been unable to find a fully remote role that fits around her autistic son’s routine. “I’m not seeing those jobs advertised,” she says. “Every day I wake up and I’m thinking I’m living in Groundhog Day.”
The Battle for Workers’ Rights
As the debate over remote working continues, some public sector employees are refusing to return to the office. Ed, an IT delivery manager at the ONS, argues that flexible working has helped him to balance his work and family life. “We’ve never been told by senior leaders that there’s a problem with productivity,” he says. “There’s a problem with quality, there’s a problem with meeting deadlines.”
The outcome of this debate is far from certain, but one thing is clear: the days of all employees working full-time in the office are numbered. As we navigate the complexities of remote work, it’s essential that we prioritize workers’ rights and flexibility to ensure that everyone can thrive in the modern workplace.
