The growth of homeworking stalled during the recent recession, the TUC says in a new analysis of official figures to mark National Work From Home Day today (Friday), which is organised by Work Wise UK. The TUC research shows that between 2005 and 2010, an extra 227,000 people said they mainly worked from home, bringing the total number of homeworkers to 3.7 million by 2010.
But last year saw a small fall in the proportion of people working from home, from 12.9 to 12.8 per cent of the workforce, with the total number of homeworkers increasing by just 10,000.
High unemployment and job insecurity during the recession is likely to have made staff more reluctant to ask to work from home, says the TUC.
However working from home can save on office costs, ease transport congestion and help staff manage their workload more effectively, making it a more productive and cost-effective way to work, says the TUC.
While not every job is suitable for homeworking all of the time, regular or occasional working from home is still possible in a wide range of jobs, with unions and employers agreeing flexible working arrangements in workplaces across the UK, says the TUC.
The TUC analysis coincides with National Work From Home Day, organised by Work Wise UK, as part of Work Wise Week 2011 (16-20 May).
Midlands TUC Regional Secretary Cheryl Pidgeon said: “Working from home can slash business costs, cut expensive and time-wasting commutes and help staff manage their workload more effectively.
“Over the last five years, more employers and staff have embraced working from home, though recent job insecurity has made some staff reluctant to ask for it. There were particularly strong increases in the West Midlands with an extra 2.4% of the working population in the region working from home.“By taking part in National Work From Home Day, we can get the UK working smarter again.”
The tough economic climate makes the business case for homeworking even stronger, and unions are encouraging more businesses to give it a try.
Chief executive of Work Wise UK Phil Flaxton said: “Being able to work from home every now and again is a sensible move for individuals and their employers. The employee avoids the stressful daily commute and can concentrate on work without the usual office distractions.
“Smart employers know this already. Now it’s time for the rest to wake up to the benefits of smarter working. Workers stuck with old-fashioned, rigid patterns of working based on ‘presenteeism’ want access to flexi-time and homeworking.
“Employers who fail to move with the times are likely to find their ability to attract and retain the best staff becomes increasingly difficult.”
Home-working 2005-10
Year Work from home (thousands) Work from home (per cent)
2005 3,517 12.2
2006 3,597 12.4
2007 3,592 12.2
2008 3,762 12.4
2009 3,734 12.9
2010 3,744 12.8
Increase 2005-10 +227,000 +0.6
Source: ONS Labour Force Survey (autumn quarters) – all in employment
More information about Work Wise Week 2011 can be found at http://www.workwiseuk.org/
But last year saw a small fall in the proportion of people working from home, from 12.9 to 12.8 per cent of the workforce, with the total number of homeworkers increasing by just 10,000.
High unemployment and job insecurity during the recession is likely to have made staff more reluctant to ask to work from home, says the TUC.
However working from home can save on office costs, ease transport congestion and help staff manage their workload more effectively, making it a more productive and cost-effective way to work, says the TUC.
While not every job is suitable for homeworking all of the time, regular or occasional working from home is still possible in a wide range of jobs, with unions and employers agreeing flexible working arrangements in workplaces across the UK, says the TUC.
The TUC analysis coincides with National Work From Home Day, organised by Work Wise UK, as part of Work Wise Week 2011 (16-20 May).
Midlands TUC Regional Secretary Cheryl Pidgeon said: “Working from home can slash business costs, cut expensive and time-wasting commutes and help staff manage their workload more effectively.
“Over the last five years, more employers and staff have embraced working from home, though recent job insecurity has made some staff reluctant to ask for it. There were particularly strong increases in the West Midlands with an extra 2.4% of the working population in the region working from home.“By taking part in National Work From Home Day, we can get the UK working smarter again.”
The tough economic climate makes the business case for homeworking even stronger, and unions are encouraging more businesses to give it a try.
Chief executive of Work Wise UK Phil Flaxton said: “Being able to work from home every now and again is a sensible move for individuals and their employers. The employee avoids the stressful daily commute and can concentrate on work without the usual office distractions.
“Smart employers know this already. Now it’s time for the rest to wake up to the benefits of smarter working. Workers stuck with old-fashioned, rigid patterns of working based on ‘presenteeism’ want access to flexi-time and homeworking.
“Employers who fail to move with the times are likely to find their ability to attract and retain the best staff becomes increasingly difficult.”
Home-working 2005-10
Year Work from home (thousands) Work from home (per cent)
2005 3,517 12.2
2006 3,597 12.4
2007 3,592 12.2
2008 3,762 12.4
2009 3,734 12.9
2010 3,744 12.8
Increase 2005-10 +227,000 +0.6
Source: ONS Labour Force Survey (autumn quarters) – all in employment
More information about Work Wise Week 2011 can be found at http://www.workwiseuk.org/
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