London-based firms are unlikely to insist workers return to the office full-time once Covid-19 restrictions are lifted, a survey published on Monday found.
According to the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry, 83% of businesses that can work from home expect staff to do so at least one day a week once the work from home order is relaxed, while nearly half of respondents – 46% – said they expect staff to work from home for between four and five days a week.
Just 9% of businesses for whom working from home is an option said they did not expect employees to work from home under normal circumstances, while 36% said they expected staff to work from home full-time.
Among companies where working from home is an option, and who were primarily office-based pre-pandemic, just 10% did not expect staff to work from home when restrictions have been lifted, while 78% expect employees to work from home “at least” once a week.
Richard Burge, chief executive of the LCCI, said: “Arguably what’s most interesting is the percentage of businesses that were primarily office-based pre-pandemic that are now expecting staff to work remotely for varying proportions of the week.
“The pandemic will deliver a remote working legacy in London. Eventual lifting of the work from home guidance will of course increase commuter footfall in the centre, but seemingly many businesses have already made decisions regarding their premises and ways of working. This isn’t just about government guidance, it’s about what businesses have judged best for their bottom-line or productivity.”
The LCCI surveyed 520 London business leaders between 28 April and 6 June. Companies questioned ranged in size, sector and location.
