Recent statistics presented by the Global Survey of Working Arrangements have revealed the UK to be a nation of remote workers. Like their counterparts in other Anglosphere nations, Brits are more likely to spend a portion of their working week at home, averaging around 1.8 days per week.
In London, where commuting presents particular kinds of difficulties, the appeal of the ‘hybrid’ working model is particularly difficult to discount. Let’s consider a few of the ways in which the home office has helped to change working culture in the capital.
Embracing Asynchronous Work Schedules
When everyone spends a portion of the week at home, it means that there’s less pressure on the public transport infrastructure. A more flexible attitude to when workers are allowed to come and go can do the same thing. Londoners increasingly have the freedom to shape their own schedules, according to their own individual quirks. This freedom naturally causes many to come into work later, so as to avoid the early-morning rush.
Shifting Housing Preferences in the Remote Work Era
If you don’t have the right setup at home, then you might struggle to be productive when you’re stuck there. A good office setup should be suited to the kind of work being performed there, and the personality of the person performing it. But having the space available in the first place is arguably the most important step.
As remote work becomes more prevalent, many workers are seeking apartments to rent in London that offer dedicated home offices or flexible spaces to accommodate their work-from-home needs.
The Evolution of Co-working Spaces
In the UK and Ireland combined, there are around four thousand separate co-working spaces. These are welcoming, diverse environments where remote workers can come together, collaborate, and generally enjoy many of the social benefits that come from a more traditional working model. These spaces often charge a membership fee, but an increasingly remote workforce is increasingly willing to pay.
The Role of Green Spaces in Enhancing Well-being
Human flourishing in general relies on access to the right green space. This goes for workers who attend a traditional office, as well as remote ones. London’s parks play an increasingly central role in supporting the latter. Take a break in the middle of the day, and you’ll want to be able to step out into a healthy, nature-rich environment.
This might influence your choice of workplace, or residence within the city; it might even persuade you to move out beyond the M25. If you only need to come into the middle of the city for a few hours a week, this might be a viable way to slash your commute, and hugely bolster your quality of life!
Photo credits: Coworking London