Coronavirus permanently changes working patterns

Most office workers will not return to their workplaces five days a week even after the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic is over, according to a survey carried out by the British Council for Offices (BCO).

06 Oct 2020

Most office workers will not return to their workplaces five days a week even after the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic is over, according to a survey carried out by the British Council for Offices (BCO).

The survey of 2,000 office workers found that employers and employees alike see home working as a long-term measure, as the pandemic has changed working patterns.

Employees at all levels, from executives to trainees, intend or hope to divide their time in future between their homes and their workplaces, according to the survey.

Over 60% of senior executives and 58% of entry-level workers want to alternate, the BCO found.

Commenting on the findings, Richard Kauntze, Chief Executive of the BCO, said: 'We are never going to go back to how things were before.

'The idea that people will return to the five-day week in the office has gone, and I think a much more blended approach is likely, two or three days in the office and two or three at home or wherever is going to be a much more typical pattern.

'Most people will value being able to work on that basis.'

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