Hybrid work is here to stay for most UK companies
LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM — A majority of UK companies will adopt a hybrid work model while less than 30% expect staff to be fully on-site over the next 5 years, according to recent research.
A survey of over 1,000 businesses by the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) and Cisco found that only 27% predict their employees will be fully in-person in the coming years.
About 47% expect staff to be mostly in-person, 16% expect mostly remote work, and 8% envision a fully remote workforce.
“Our data shows that hybrid working is now part of the fabric of the modern workplace. For millions of people, logging in remotely for at least part of the working week is now routine,” said Jane Gratton, BCC Deputy Director of Public Policy.
The data reveals a divide between sectors, with business services firms like finance and legal more likely to enable remote work.
Gratton added that flexible work arrangements have become a critical part of attracting and retaining talent amidst a tight labor market.
The pandemic accelerated the shift towards hybrid work models. While some challenges exist, like communication and collaboration, the benefits outweigh them for most companies.
Employees report better work-life balance and productivity, while businesses reduce real estate costs and access new talent pools.
“As well as boosting recruitment and retention, [hybrid work] can help employers unlock new and diverse talent pools,” added Aine Rogers, Managing Director of Small and Medium Enterprise of Cisco UK & Ireland.
