Russell Thompson, Chair of Direct Works, the UK’s leading voice for specialists in social housing maintenance, discusses how changes the way in which we work are putting even more pressure on the sector.
The era of COVID-19 has reshaped the way many of us work, with offices giving way to virtual spaces, and screens becoming our new colleagues. Over 57% of employees have transitioned to remote working, a trend that persists even as the pandemic becomes history. Surprisingly, nearly half of employees are expected to continue working from home indefinitely, signalling a significant shift in our work habits.
Benefits and Challenges of Remote Work
There are many benefits and challenges that come along with this new way of working. For many, this shift has been a beneficial in offering newfound flexibility and comfort. This is borne out by a recent survey in which 83% of those who currently work from home agreed they had “all the technology products I need to work at home comfortably” (Mintel, 2023). However, challenges remain. Issues such as not having the correct equipment and concerns about data security and privacy continue to hinder the world of remote work. Loneliness and the often anti-social nature of working remotely are also rearing their ugly heads.
Struggles with Productivity and Structure
Interestingly not all employees have thrived in the hybrid environment. Some companies have noticed a decline in productivity and performance amongst remote workers, consequently there’s a growing trend for companies calling all employees back to the office to improve these standards. For 30% of employees, remote work is not only tiring but lacks the structure and accountability found in an office setting.
As companies reassess their remote work polices, there’s a noticeable shift towards less flexibility, with 52% of workers feeling that companies are offering less flexibility compared to a year ago. This suggests a changing dynamic in the employer to employee relationship as companies seek to strike a balance between the benefits of remote work and the needs for productivity performance as we navigate this new work environment.
Financial Benefits and Incentives
Statistics show that 33% of full-time workers describe their finances as healthy compared to 21% of full time out of home workers, indicating that people may wish to continue staying at home to save money. However, this could also suggest that cash saving benefits would incentivise people to return to the office such as, free meals and help with their commuting costs. In fact, 47% of employees state if their meals were paid for, they would be inclined to return to the office.
Impact on Wellbeing
Some individuals have found that working from home has positively impacted their mental and physical wellbeing. 43% of hybrid workers exercise more on the days they work remotely, and 36% spend more time with loved ones. These benefits have led workers to say they would only apply to a hybrid role in the future, so they can carry on the flexible lifestyle they now live. This therefore puts a lot of pressure on companies to adopt hybrid working models.
Of course, a lot of these statistics refer to jobs where people can work from home and there are many roles that require a physical on-site presence. Indeed, in housing, even during lockdown, emergency response housing operatives were still going out on the front line. Roles in our sector are varied and each comes with a different requirement that offers exciting and vibrant career opportunities – but that’s for another time. For now, it’s up to all of us to take responsibility for the future of the working world.
Directs Works are leaders in social housing maintenance, collaborating with members to enhance knowledge, innovate working methods, and build technical skills, all aimed at delivering outstanding customer service. Becoming a member of Direct Works offers numerous benefits, including direct access to expert advice, training, and exclusive events. Members can also participate in an online forum for questions, receive regular industry news updates, and access both online and face-to-face training sessions.
For anyone who isn’t currently a member and would like to find out more, including Direct Works current two-year special offer membership, www.direct-works.co.uk
