Flexible working figures have risen at a rate of 50 per cent since June, according to the latest industry data – indicating that it’s no longer the exclusive purview of umbrella service contractors and freelancers any more.
Anyone who’s ever struggled to catch the right bus or fight their own way through traffic on a hellish commute may dream of a workday free of such stress. Well, new data shows that four million Brits have decided to telecommute in order to do their work at home, thus avoiding the frustration likely.
Freelancers and contractors have been working from home for quite some time, and to anyone who makes a living in such a manner will not find it surprising in the least that telecommuting figures are up. However, many permanent workers are now taking advantage of new technological advancements that allow them to work from anywhere, provided they have the right equipment to do so easily.
Businesses have already embraced project-based employment, with many relying on contractors to complete short-term projects in lieu of hiring on extra permanent staff. Employers looking to cut costs even further are keen to get their workers out from traditional offices and have them stay home if productivity isn’t impacted.
Global interconnectivity means never being out of contact with an employer, a colleague, or a client, whether it be in a physical office or from a worker’s own home. This proved to be especially useful during the Olympics, as many Londoners just stayed home to avoid massive congestion, and many workers and employers alike are quite happy to continue the arrangement even though the Games have come to a close.
