ONS data report shows that around 60% were traveling to work while just 11% worked on a hybrid model with some days working from home.
LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM — Despite the government’s push for employees to work from home as much as possible for the time being given rising COVID-19 cases, just three in 10 adults on average worked from home between December 15, 2021, and January 3, 2022, according to data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
The ONS noted, as a disclaimer, that “usual work and work location patterns may have been affected by Christmas and New Year holidays during this survey period”. However, its findings show the majority of adults travelled to work during the specified period.
“Estimates included in this release are based on data collected between December 15, 2021, and January 3, 2022, during which new measures against the omicron variant were introduced,” the ONS said.
Detailing statistics on the location of work, its report outlined, “Among working adults, around three in 10 (32 per cent) reported working from home at some point in the past seven days (32 per cent in the previous period).
“Six in 10 (60 per cent) reported travelling to work at some point in the past seven days (72 per cent in the previous period).
“Around one in 10 (11 per cent) reported both working from home and travelling to work in the past seven days (18 per cent in the previous period).”
Working from home over the holidays
The ONS’ findings come as the UK awaits further updates on the government’s Plan B to mitigate spread of the coronavirus. Last month, Prime Minister Boris Johnson introduced “guidance to work from home” where possible, effective December 13 and lasting until at least January 5, 2022, with the possibility of being extended if needed.
“Go to work if you must, but work from home if you can. I know this will be hard for many people, but by reducing your contacts in the workplace, you will help slow transmission,” Johnson said at the time.
Based on the ONS’ data, working from home over the holidays may not have been as common as expected.
Additionally, the results appear to show an unwillingness to remain at home even when sick, as just one-third or 34 per cent of respondents stated that, compared with before the pandemic, they would be more likely to work from home if they have a cold. This number represents a decrease from the previous period, where 37 per cent of respondents said the same.
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Links:
Office for National Statistics report “Coronavirus and the social impacts on Great Britain” -https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/healthandsocialcare/healthandwellbeing/bulletins/coronavirusandthesocialimpactsongreatbritain/7january2022