One in three people to keep working from home post-lockdown, says survey

10 Jul 2020

Coronavirus working Around one in three workers are planning to continue working from home after the coronavirus lockdown restrictions end, according to the findings of a survey published on Friday.

Following the government ordering people to work from home if possible during the COVID-19 pandemic, many of these workers are still doing so.

Halifax carried out a poll of 3,000 adults in the UK, with many viewing the working from home change as an "environmental wake-up call" and an opportunity to do something regarding climate change, reports Sky News.

The findings revealed that three out of five of those who took part in the survey said they didn’t think things would ever return to the pre-pandemic ‘normal’.

In addition, the majority of respondents were optimistic the move to working from home could help tackle the climate emergency, with a total of 80% of those surveyed believing remote working was a positive way to lower emissions.

However, in contrast, the results of the survey also found that a dependence on working from home may be counter-productive in homes with low energy efficiency rates.

According to Andy Mason, Halifax mortgage director: "It's clear that for many going back to 'business as usual' isn't going to be an option and instead they will continue to spend more time at home, believing it to be better for the environment.

"However, without taking steps to ensure homes are as efficient as they can be, these good intentions could be clouded by rising energy usage and monthly bills - at a time when many are concerned about their financial security as well as the planet, “ he added.

 

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