Over two fifths (41%) of businesses
have increased their requirement for onsite working over the past year,
according to new research by the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC).
While most of the firms (67%)
who require onsite working say it hasn’t impacted recruitment or retention, one
in ten relevant businesses (9%) have seen staff leave in response. Looking
ahead, just less than half (48%) of businesses expect all working days to be
in-person over the next 12 months - 583 businesses took part in the online research, carried out between 24
April and 14 May. 94% of the firms who took part were SMEs (fewer than 250
employees).
The data reveals significant differences in sectoral attitudes towards
hybrid working, with manufacturers (62%) and B2C (61%) services most likely to
be expecting all working days to be on-site in the next year. In contrast, just
27% of business-to-business service companies say they’ll be expecting all
shifts to be in person over the next year.
Views are mixed over the productivity impact of remote or hybrid working.
Half of manufacturers (49%) say it decreases productivity, compared to 41% of
all firms reporting a negative impact. B2B service companies are most likely to
see improvements through remote working, with a quarter (25%), saying it
increases productivity. That compares with just 17% of all firms.
This new data marks a shift in attitudes. For comparison, previous polling
by the BCC in 2023, found that just 27% of responding firms predicting their
staff will be fully in-person over the next five years.
Jane Gratton, Director of Public
Policy at the British Chambers of Commerce said: “We’re
seeing a clear shift towards more firms requiring full on-site working, but
it’s by no means a uniform picture.
“The trend is being led by manufacturers and consumer-facing businesses,
while around two thirds of B2B service firms continue to operate hybrid
models.
“Hybrid working has become a fixture of modern working life since the
pandemic and is valued by employers and their workforce. But it does not
suit everyone and, for some firms, a full onsite model may be the best solution
for the business.
“With the cost of doing business continuing to escalate, firms are looking
to boost productivity. Hybrid working can help firms attract and retain a
skilled and engaged workforce. However, some employers are identifying
significant benefits of bringing all staff together again
onsite.
“How and where people work is likely to continue to evolve in the years
ahead. A flexible working approach makes good business sense but, to
drive economic growth, managers also need the flexibility to do what’s right
for their business.”
