Homeworkers do more

New research by cable telecommunications firm ntl: Telewest Business suggests working age adults in the UK think homeworking is a recipe for increased productivity, better health, a greener lifestyle and a better balance between work and home life.

The July 2007 survey by GFK NOP of 1,000 ‘representative’ adults found 30% now work from home all or part of the time. But 69% think working from home would make them more productive.

Easily the most popular choice the pollsters found was eliminating the commute to work, with 72 per cent saying homeworking would allow them to spend more time with their family or partner. Nearly 40% reported journey times of more than two hours daily.

Respondents also claimed that with fewer distractions, chiefly gossip, banter and bitching, they would get more work done. A healthier diet was also implied, with 50% saying they would be less likely to eat fatty or pre-packed food and 49% would lower their overall consumption.

ntl: Telewest Business chief Stephen Benyon said there was a clear message for employers. ‘Home working can be positive for employers,’ he said. ‘If your people work from home more, you’re likely to have a healthier and more productive workforce and lower office overheads.’

Work days lost due to poor health would also be cut according to the survey. A significant percentage of respondents believed they would be healthier if they worked from home due to less commuting-induced stress (54%), lower exposure to germs and viruses (39%) and fewer hangovers caused by after-work drinking (30%).

The survey also confirmed the flipside of less social interaction, cited as a drawback by 56%. ‘While no-one would deny this is an issue it’s increasingly being addressed by planning live/work schemes in clusters and by the rapid spread of digital networking between home-based businesses,’ commented LiveWork Network director Tim Dwelly.