The Institute of Directors (IoD) has carried out a survey and found that, once the coronavirus (COVID-19) lockdown restrictions are fully lifted, businesses are planning to adopt so-called ‘hybrid’ working .
The survey of 600 business leaders revealed that 63% of firms intend to shift towards one to four days of remote working per week. One in ten businesses are planning to permit employees to work from home entirely, whilst one in five are not planning to introduce any form of remote working.
The survey found that 40% of business leaders feel that remote working is more productive for their firm.
‘As the economy re-opens, business leaders are grappling with the best working models going forward,’ said Joe Fitzsimons, Senior Policy Adviser at the IoD.
‘The flexibility of remote working has improved work-life balance for employees and cut down commuting expenses. In many cases it has also boosted inclusivity and hiring from different parts of the country.’
The IoD has suggested that a hybrid working model is likely to ‘provide the optimum balance for business leaders as the economy re-opens’.
“Despite the massive impact that COVID-19 has had on businesses, causing many of them to have to close. Some businesses have found that a new way of working, i.e. working remotely, has actually benefitted their business. Therefore coming out of COVID-19 in a better position than they went it.”
Nigel Holland