Older Workers Most Likely To Work From Home
Date: 18 May 2012
Research announced today by the TUC in support of Work Wise UK's National Work From Home Day, part of Work Wise Week 2012, shows that workers over the age of 55 are the most likely age group to work from home.
The figures show that around 1 in 5 workers aged over 55 already works regularly from home, part of a growing trend for working from home that has seen numbers rise by over 25% in the last decade. Wide regional variances are also revealed by the figures showing that in the south west, around 1 in 6 workers regularly works from home, dropping to 1 in 10 in the north west.
The older age group are, say the TUC, more than twice as likely to work from home than their younger counterparts, which it puts down to barriers affecting younger workers such as finding space in the home in which to set up a work area and early years child care commitments.
With up to 6 million more people expected to need to travel during this summer's Olympics the TUC is calling on employers to make provision now. TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber said: "The Olympics are an ideal opportunity for more employers to try out innovative flexible working practices such as flexi-time and home working. There is a huge demand from staff for more flexible working practices but too often they are held back by out-of-date attitudes and a lack a trust from bosses. But everyone can benefit from modernising the workplace. Working from home can help workers cut out the stressful and expensive commute. Employers who have already taken the plunge have gained improved productivity and staff motivation. And it will also reduce congestion and help the Olympics to run smoothly."
"With just 70 days left until the opening ceremony employers still have time to plan smarter working practices, but there is now a sense of urgency."
Commenting on the TUC's report, Work Wise UK Chief Executive Phil Flaxton said: "The potential for disruption during the Olympics is an immediate strong motivator to consider all the opportunities available to become more efficient. The Olympics will not only showcase sporting achievements but provide a great opportunity for UK plc to demonstrate that we have the ability to be one of the most flexible and efficient working environments in the world."
"As the employment market emerges from the downward trend, the way in which people work will have changed significantly. Increasingly, It is becoming the norm for employees to work away from the office, with 'presenteeism' becoming a thing of the past. Managers habits and controls must change in order to maintain this momentum."