One in Three UK Workers Say "I'd Rather Quit" Than Be Forced to Work On-Site Without Remote Options

The Times Survey Results: "The Wider the Work-from-Home Options, the Greater the Attachment to the Workplace"
Contrary Corporate Atmosphere... Number of Work-from-Home Companies Decreasing

A street scene in the United Kingdom

As remote work has spread worldwide due to the COVID-19 pandemic, employers in the UK are expanding office work, but employees still prefer working from home, according to a survey.

On the 15th (local time), the UK daily The Times reported that according to a LinkedIn survey, one-third of respondents said they would be willing to resign if their company forced full-time office attendance.

Working from home was notably more preferred by women than men. Half of the female respondents had already quit their jobs or were considering changing jobs due to a lack of flexibility in remote work.

Additionally, the more companies expanded remote work options, the stronger employees' attachment to their workplace became. In this survey, one-fifth of those considering a job change this year expressed that they would not leave their current job if remote work options were provided.

However, the atmosphere among companies offering jobs is quite different. The Times reported that the number of jobs offering remote work is not keeping up with demand. The number of job postings from companies on LinkedIn UK offering 100% remote work has been decreasing for 10 consecutive months. Also, James Dyson, founder of the UK electronics company Dyson, has stated that remote work negatively affects productivity.

Regarding this, Ngger Moyes, a LinkedIn UK representative, said, "Three years after the pandemic, we have adapted to new and flexible ways of working, and most do not want to return to pre-COVID-19 work styles," adding, "There is a risk that companies insisting on office work only may lose talent."