People and firms are shifting away from remote work, survey suggests

There has been a recent significant shift in working habits and preferences among employees in the post-pandemic landscape, according to the fourth Commuter Census from Mobilityways. One of the most prominent findings from the report is the pronounced decline in both the practice of and preference for remote work. The survey of 10,325 participants suggests that 40 percent of people no longer engage in any form of remote work, despite a mere 15 percent of employees expressing a preference for this arrangement.  Only 26 percent of respondents would consider working from home as an alternative to their current commuting routine, marking a significant 42 percent drop from the previous year.

Concurrently, a growing number of employers are enforcing full-time office attendance, with 41 percent of respondents indicating they no longer work from home at all. The average number of work-from-home days per week has decreased to 1.6 this year, down from 1.8 in 2023.

The data indicates a strong inclination towards a hybrid working model, with 63 percent of respondents favouring the option to work from home between one and four days per week.

The report suggests that there is a pressing need for sustainable commuting solutions as more employees return to on-site work.  Through its Commuter Emissions Calculation, Mobilityways determined that the average worker emits 849 kilograms of CO2 equivalent annually due to commuting.

This figure has remained relatively unchanged from two years ago, even with a 17 percent decline in solo car commutes using petrol or diesel vehicles and an uptick in more sustainable commuting methods. The researchers attribute this lack of reduction in emissions to the increased frequency of commuting compared to 2022, which offsets the gains made from adopting greener travel methods.

The report claims to highlight a growing demand among commuters for employer assistance in promoting sustainable commuting practices. Over half of the respondents expressed a desire for more support in their efforts to reduce their commuting carbon footprint, indicating that large organisations bear a significant responsibility in facilitating eco-friendly commuting options. This trend aligns with the potential legal mandate for Scope 3 emissions reporting under the Labour government’s new net-zero policies.

Driving alone remains the predominant mode of transport for 45 percent of commuters, although carpooling has rebounded to its pre-pandemic level of 15 percent. While sustainable methods of commuting have gained overall popularity, the survey noted a 21 percent decrease in cycling commuters, with walking and running seeing a modest increase of 0.7 percentage points.

Government travel policies and initiatives have also influenced commuting behaviours. The UK Government’s program to cap single bus fares at £2 until the end of 2024 has proven successful, evidenced by a 17 percent increase in bus usage and a notable rise in the number of respondents considering the bus as a viable commuting alternative. Conversely, the continuous rise in rail fares has led to a decrease in train usage, while the expansion of electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure has not resulted in a corresponding increase in EV usage among commuters.

Despite the apparent shift away from home working, a significant portion of the workforce still values this option

Despite the apparent shift away from home working, a significant portion of the workforce still values this option. Almost 17 percent of respondents indicated a preference for working from home five days a week, a slight increase from the previous year. The hybrid working model remains the most favoured, with 20 percent of employees preferring to work from home three times a week and 19 percent opting for two days a week. Interestingly, 15 percent of respondents would prefer never to work from home, making it the fourth most popular choice.

This trend suggests that a majority of employees still desire some degree of remote work, with over 80 percent expressing a preference for a hybrid arrangement. However, the steady decline in the average number of remote working days since the pandemic indicates that employers may not be fully attuned to these preferences. The least popular option, working from home just once a week, was favoured by only 11 percent of respondents, yet this appears to be the direction in which the office-home work split is heading.

As the post-pandemic workplace continues to evolve, these findings underscore the importance of balancing employee preferences with organizational policies and the broader goal of sustainable commuting. Employers are now challenged to accommodate the hybrid working model while supporting eco-friendly commuting options to meet both employee satisfaction and environmental objectives.