How do people in the UK feel about working from home?

The marjory of these asked said they felt anxious at the idea of returning to the office

‘It’s important both employees and employers feel supported in making the journey back to the office as smooth as possible’ (Getty Images)

More than half of British workers would be happy to never return to the office – due to fears of germs, a lack of social distancing and being in a room with lots of other people.

A poll of 1,000 employees who are currently working from home found two thirds would also feel uncomfortable about going back into their workplace full time.

The majority said they feel anxious at the thought of being back in the office. Some say they are apprehensive, while others are even feeling stressed.

Other worries include lack of personal space, colleagues not using hand sanitiser or soap and not enough communal cleaning.

Having to commute topped the list of anxieties, followed by less flexible working and social distancing not being taken seriously.

Of those polled, some will travel to work on public transport, with a huge number being concerned about the cleanliness of the tube, bus or train.

Zac Hemming, founding director for Ice Cleaning, which commissioned the poll, said: “There is clearly some fear around going back to the office after settling into working from home during this past year.

“Hygiene is going to be at the front of people’s minds more than ever and seemingly normal things from ‘previous’ life such as making tea rounds, sharing desks and using communal toilets might feel daunting.

“It’s important both employees and employers feel supported in making the journey back to the office as smooth as possible.

“Cleaning is going to become much more of a priority for workplaces.”  

The poll also found that to combat their anxieties, new habits workers vow to take on include carrying hand sanitiser, wearing a mask and cleaning their own desk daily.

They would also like their employer to implement sanitising pumps around the building.

Half of those polled also want social distancing between desks, with a few also wanting a monthly decontamination deep clean as part of their office cleaning regime.

It also emerged seven in 10 would only feel comfortable returning to work if strict cleanliness rules were in place, with a quarter wanting their offices professionally cleaned daily to feel safe.

And upon reflection, 45 per cent do not think their office was clean enough prior to the pandemic.

Most said they generally feel safer and cleaner when working from home.

In an ideal world, employees would only be based in the office on two days out of the five-day working week, and 70 per cent only want themselves and their colleagues to return to work once they have been vaccinated.

The research, carried out via OnePoll, also found workers think it will take four weeks of being back in the office for it to feel ‘normal’ again.

Until that point, workers think being in the workplace instead of their own home will seem strange, uncomfortable and surreal.

More than three in five also admitted they will likely struggle to get used to a new routine when they return to their place of work.

Zac Hemming added: “After a year of working from home and adjusting to a new routine, it’s normal that people will have worries about returning to work.  

“What’s important is giving employees the reassurance and peace of mind that this is being taken seriously, easing any concerns that people might have whilst also creating a positive, clean and safe workplace.”

SWNS