Nearly three quarters (73%) of UK employees believe they would be more productive if they could spend more time working flexibly, according to conference and video call provider Powwownow.
The survey found that 59% of workers admitted to arriving at work stressed due to their commute at least once a week before lockdown, with more than 60% of them having a commute of 30 minutes or more.
Powwownow said the figures suggest that if businesses allowed staff to work flexibly more frequently in the future, they would see a boost in productivity as well worker wellbeing. Four in ten decision makers said the biggest benefit experienced during lockdown has been greater productivity due to a lack of commuting.
With investments in technology, 72% of decision makers now believe their business can adequately support their staff when working remotely.
Many workers are now likely to have become accustomed to the extra flexibility provided by the Covid-19 pandemic, and the conference call provider says employers will now find it difficult to impose strict flexible working rules going forward.
Despite Flexible Working legislation coming into force six years ago, just 40% of UK businesses offered flexible working prior to the pandemic.
Andrew Johnson, managing director of PowWowNow, said: “The ongoing Coronavirus pandemic has had devastating consequences for lives and for businesses. However, as we rebuild our country, the resultant shift to remote working can be used for good- businesses must embrace changing attitudes around flexible working and ensure employees have more options when it comes to when they work, and where they work from.
“PowWowNow encourages employers to listen to the ever-increasing number of workers who believe flexible working would not only improve their productivity, but also increase their wellbeing. If people can better balance work and life commitments, we will all reap the benefits from creating a happier and more fulfilled society. The 9-5 office-focused workday is gone, and it’s time to usher in a new, and better, future.”
