UK Remote Work Report 2022

Our 2022 Remote Work report provides a snapshot of a world undergoing changes that COVID brought around. Wellbeing, social connections and trust were leading themes in our research results.

Our polls showed that workers in the UK are resilient. We’ve quickly adapted to remote work at the flick of a switch. If anything, we found that it was managers holding on to how things once were, with 43% of respondents saying that they were returning to the office not out of choice, but because they’d been directed to by their employer.

Soaring costs of living, high commute costs and COVID are all making workers reluctant to return to the office, yet there are distinct benefits. Our key findings show that UK workers prefer hybrid working, admitting that while they have sorely missed their colleagues, they would like to retain the option to work from home full-time. We think that flexibility is here to stay, and wellbeing is a top priority.

In this report, we cover:

Challenges and benefits associated with returning to the office;
The impact of remote work on employee wellbeing and happiness;
The future of flexibility, including workers’ preferences for remote work;
The uncertainty and scepticism surrounding automation and digital tools;
The potential of location fluidity as a benefit of remote and hybrid working models;
Social connections, camaraderie, and the importance of quality relationships in the workplace;
The role of remote work in addressing climate change, cost of living, personal finances, diversity and equity;
And the business case for remote work, including benefits like improved wellbeing, happiness and lower office costs.

Setting the scene

2022 has been a transformative year, characterised by significant changes in work habits, the acceleration of digital transformation and a strong movement towards hybrid work models.

The pandemic shifted what we’ve come to expect from traditional office work, highlighting the resilience of workers in adapting to remote work. Despite managerial resistance, the preference for hybrid work models is evident, with workers valuing flexibility and wellbeing over traditional office work benefits.

Key findings

Flexible work as the new normal

The remote work report highlights the transition to flexible work arrangements as a defining feature of the UK’s work landscape in the wake of the pandemic. A significant portion of our workforce has embraced hybrid work models, valuing the balance between in-office and remote work.

Flexibility has become a core expectation among employees, driven by the desire for a better work-life balance and the practical benefits experienced during the pandemic. This shift is not just a temporary adaptation but is seen as a permanent transformation in how work is structured, indicating a departure from traditional office-centric models to more adaptable and employee-centred approaches.

Shifting priorities

We delve into changing priorities among UK workers, with a strong emphasis on wellbeing, social connections, and trust. The pandemic has accelerated a reevaluation of what employees value most in their work and workplace, with a clear preference for jobs that offer flexibility, support mental health, and foster a sense of community and belonging.

This shift suggests that employers need to reconsider how they support their employees, not just in terms of the physical workspace, but also in creating a culture that prioritises employee wellbeing and builds trust through transparent communication and policies that accommodate diverse needs.

The rise of the machine

We scrutinise the adoption and perception of technology in the workplace, particularly AI and machine learning. While there is acknowledgment of the efficiency and potential benefits these technologies can offer, we found that a significant level of scepticism and unease among workers still persist.

Concerns about privacy, job security, and the impersonal nature of machine-led decisions are sparking a broader debate on the role of technology in the future of work. It’s clear there’s a need for a balanced approach that leverages technology to enhance productivity without undermining the human aspects of work that contribute to creativity, innovation and workplace satisfaction.

What next?

The landscape we’re navigating post-pandemic presents both challenges and opportunities. Our insights suggest a pivotal shift towards hybrid work models. This shift isn’t merely a trend but a reflection of a deeper change in employee expectations and values. Workers across the UK have made it clear: flexibility, wellbeing and a sense of balance are paramount.

Embracing this change means listening to your teams and adapting your strategies to meet their needs. Technology, particularly AI and machine learning, stands ready as a powerful ally in this transition. Yet, as we harness these tools, we must also navigate the complexities of trust and privacy concerns. It’s our responsibility to lead with ethics, transparency, and a human-centric approach, ensuring technology serves to enhance, not replace, the human elements of our workplaces.

The future of work we envision is one of adaptability, inclusivity and responsiveness. By prioritising flexible work arrangements and addressing the concerns surrounding new technologies, we can create environments that not only drive productivity but also foster a sense of belonging and satisfaction among our teams. Together, let’s seize this moment to redefine what it means to work, creating spaces that celebrate flexibility and connection, and in doing so, building a more resilient and empowered workforce.

Survey demographics and methodology

The survey involved 2,021 participants, including office workers, hybrid workers and fully remote workers, employing a diverse demographic spread across age, gender and location within the UK. The methodology aimed to capture a wide range of perspectives on remote work, utilising an online survey platform and adhering to nationally representative quotas.