44pc of employees work from home at least one day a month – O2

Remote Working Trend on the Rise in Ireland

The remote working trend appears to be gaining pace as 44pc of employees in Ireland surveyed by Ignite Research for O2 work from home at least one day a month.

Another survey of those who already work remotely found that one third of people expect the trend to continue while 45pc believe that over the next five years most business communications will be from home or outside the office.

Positive Work-Life Balance and Increased Happiness

More than two thirds (70pc) of respondents who work remotely agreed or strongly agreed that working outside the office enabled them to find a positive work-life balance.

A similar number (69pc) said that they felt happier after working off-site for a day compared to working in their office.

“Whether it is because workers are on the road, visiting clients; because they need space to think, be creative or boost their productivity; or because they would like achieve a better work-life balance, remote working is here to stay,” said O2’s business director Alan Brown.

Home Offices and Alternative Workspaces

Over a quarter (28pc) of those surveyed said that they already had a dedicated working space in their home, while more 53pc would consider setting up a home office in the future.

While most respondents (78pc) tend to base themselves at home when working away from the office, half of those surveyed said they had worked in a hotel, while 40pc had worked in a cafe. A similar number (39pc) had worked on a train or bus, while nearly a third (31pc) had worked in airports.

Sorcha Corcoran