Flirting, gossip and brainstorming: This is what people working from home miss most about the office
There’s just no good substitute for a good gab over the water cooler. At least according to a recent survey revealing what people miss most when they work from home.
The number of people working from home has hit a record-high, figures from the Office for National Statistics show. 4.2 million people were doing it last year, which constitutes nearly 14 per cent of the UK’s working population.
And there are some definite benefits to it. No infuriating commute, for one. No having your nose pressed into a stranger’s armpit on the Central line.
Those surveyed also listed flexible working hours as a bonus, as well as cheaper lunches and not having to get “dressed up” for work (in other words, being able to reply to emails in your pants).
More prosaically, working from home also puts more money in your pocket, as figures show that people working from home earn an average of £13.23 an hour against £10.50 an hour for office workers.
But there’s no getting away from the downsides. In the survey, commissioned by Cartridge People, 64 per cent reported social isolation, 47 per cent fewer work friends, and nearly as many, 45 per cent, lamented the lack of brainstorms, and support from colleagues.
