LOCKDOWN is creating a ‘Covid life crisis’ for many Brits, with nearly half (41 per cent) considering quitting their jobs for more fulfilling work when the pandemic is over.
A survey of 2,000 working Brits, also revealed the crisis has prompted many to question the traditional office based 9-5 culture and the reality of their work-life balance.
Employment law specialists Slater and Gordon, who commissioned the study, warned that businesses need to be aware that workers are likely to start raising questions around flexible working once lockdown is lifted.
Slater and Gordon employment lawyer, Danielle Parsons, said: “Before we went into lockdown there was a perception that employees could not be trusted to work remotely.
“Isolation will hopefully demonstrate that employees can be trusted to work effectively and efficiently in a more flexible environment.
"I expect many businesses will also now make greater investment in IT and reduce their use of office space to enable this.”
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The research found only one in ten were regularly allowed to work from home before lockdown, with many (44 per cent) complaining about the traditional and inflexible setting still imposed by their employer.
As lockdown measures have forced working from home, nearly half of workers (48 per cent) plan to request some remote working once the restrictions on movement are reduced.
Along with working from home, a third of Brits plan to ask for more flexible hours, allowing staff to work when and where they want, so long as they complete their workloads.
This could potentially bring an end to the traditional 9am to 5pm system.
A third said they are more productive working from home and 40 per cent said they are just as productive as they were in the office.
Ms Parsons, said: “Many organisations have adapted well to this crisis and are continuing to work with good rates of productivity, so there is no reason to not continue this in a post Covid-19 world.”
However, almost half (44 per cent) thought it was unlikely their organisation would change after lockdown.
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