Employees have started life working from home due to the Coronavirus by working more hours than normal, according to new figures.
Corporate virtual private network (VPN) provider, NordVPN Teams, analysed client usage data around the world and found the average worker is spending two hours longer on their VPN compared with before the outbreak.
Prior to the outbreak, the average user spent nine hours a day logged onto their corporate VPN. Since widespread home working was introduced, that figure has risen to 11 hours. The US, NordVPN Teams saw the numbers jump 40% from eight hours to 11 hours. France, Spain and Canada all saw their averages rise by two hours, as well.
Daniel Marcusson, Digital Privacy Expert of NordVPN Teams, said: “The analysis of our clients indicated that their 10,000s of corporate employees that have started working from home in the past week are typically working 11 hours a day, some of the longest hours in the world at this time.
“Typically people homeworking are starting work earlier -- but finishing at their usual same time. The lack of a morning commute is currently being used as additional work time, which looks like a win-win for employees and businesses.
“In the face of Coronavirus pandemic, people seem to be focused and united more than ever. Therefore, we expect the working hours to remain longer throughout the crisis. When the restrictions are lifted, I expect that many UK businesses will be much more receptive to greater homeworking.”
A virtual private network allows individuals to access a secure internet network over their personal internet connections. It allows for the safe and secure transfer of data and communications. In a GDPR age, they are particularly popular and important to businesses that allow regular home working.
NordVPN Teams has seen a 165% spike in usage since the outbreak of Coronavirus and a near 600% increase in sales worldwide. The UK saw demand increase by 400%.
In 2016, we published an article offering advice on how to use VPNs for remote working. You can check it out here.
