Over two years have passed since the conclusion of the last Covid lockdown, and the UK has fully embraced the concept remote work, solidifying its position as the work-from-home capital of Europe.A recent survey revealed that UK employees now dedicate 1.5 days per week to remote work, surpassing the international average of 0.9 days. In 2019, approximately 12% of UK employees had experienced some degree of remote work, but by 2022, this number had risen significantly, reaching between 25% and 40%, depending on the time of year.
Despite its reputation for having long working hours in other aspects, the British workplace has surprisingly emerged as a leading contender in remote work within Europe. This can be attributed to various factors.
To begin with, even before the pandemic struck, the UK was already among the top five countries in terms of embracing remote work. As of 2021, a substantial portion of the British population, more than half, expressed their desire to have the option of working from home at least part of the time.
Moreover, the UK’s relatively low unemployment rate plays a significant role in driving employers to adopt remote or hybrid work arrangements. By offering these flexible work options, businesses are better positioned to attract and retain talented staff members, thus creating a positive incentive for remote work arrangements.
This convergence of factors has propelled the UK to its current position as the work-from-home leader in Europe, despite the other rigid aspects of its work culture.
