More than a quarter of working adults in Great Britain (28%) were hybrid working in the autumn of 2024, The Office of National Statistics latest Opinions and Lifestyle Survey reveals.
While the trend in working only from home has fallen since 2021 almost five years after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic a hybrid-working model (part travelling to work, and part at home), has become the ‘new normal’ for around a quarter of workers.
Hybrid working was more common among those aged over 30 years, parents, those working as managers or professionals and those in industries that require less face-to-face contact. Those with higher qualifications were also more likely to hybrid work.
Those working from home saved an average of 56 minutes that day from not commuting.
REST AND WELL-BEING
And findings from March 2024 suggest that some of that time was spent on rest, exercise, sports and well-being.
Respondents who worked from home on a given day spent an average of 24 minutes more on ‘sleep and rest’ and 15 minutes more on ‘exercise, sports and well-being’ on the respective day compared with those who worked away from home.
‘Improved staff well-being’ has also continued to be one of the most frequently reported business reasons for using or intending to use increased hybrid- and home-working, according to our Business Insights and Conditions Survey.
PARENTS AND MANAGERS
The ONS says: “Those over 30 years old are more likely to be parents, and to hold managerial positions, both of which may make someone more likely to be a hybrid worker.
“We also know from the census that young people aged 16 to 24 years are more likely to have jobs in hospitality and retail, particularly in customer-facing roles that have to be in person, such as waiting or bar work.
“Working parents were more likely to hybrid work (35%) compared with working non-parents (24%). This may be because parents find hybrid working helps to facilitate childcare or working around the school day.”
