A global study by LogMeIn and OnePoll conducted during lockdown finds that not only does remote working increase productivity, 77% also believe that it is an effective way to help the environment.
“We’ve long seen the benefits of remote work to allow employees to have more flexible schedules, but as most of the world has turned to full-time remote working amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, one of the unexpected benefits is the impact this it is already having on the environment,” said Mark Strassman of LogMeIn.
The survey that spoke to over 2,200 global workers confirmed that the majority of employees (84%) do indeed care about the environment and 68% regularly worry about the impact of certain activities – including their commute – have on pollution. In addition to this, nearly two thirds say they agree that WFH has a positive impact on their productivity, with 45% saying that it makes them happier overall.
“It’s clear from our survey that office workers are concerned about the impact their behaviour is having on the environment,” said Strassman. “And allowing them to work full-time or even part-time remote can help to mitigate carbon emissions, save employees’ time and ultimately create a work culture where employees are happier and more productive.”
From a UK Perspective
In the UK, it is clear that the link between remote working and environmental impact is top of mind for many alongside other benefits of working from home including:
- Reducing pollution was listed as a top benefit of working from home by half of respondents (50%), even over lower commute stress (42%)
- Almost half (48%) agree (somewhat or strongly) their commute affects how they feel about their job
- Overwhelmingly saving time (72%) and saving money (68%) were seen as the top benefits of working from home, with the ability to spend more time with family and friends rounding out the top three at 46%
- 51% say working from home provides them with a more flexible schedule
- More than half (58%) say that a perk of working from home is they can wear whatever they want
- 55% feel very or somewhat prepared to work from home if they have to, with 57% feeling like they have proper tools necessary for remote work
In Comparison to the US
When comparing attitudes in the UK to those in the US it is clear that remote working was embraced more prior to lockdown with stronger feelings about the impact of the commute on daily life:
- Pre-lockdown, adoption of remote working was much more prevalent in the US than in the UK:
- 39% of US respondents work 1-4 days a week from home, will only 12% didn’t work from home at all prior to lockdown
- In the UK, only 20% of respondents work from home between 1-4 days, with 37% not doing any remote working prior to lockdown
- 35% of respondents in the US like the idea of working from home permanently, while only 9% of those in the UK feel the same way
- 28% of US respondents versus 9% of UK respondents noted that their commute significantly affects how they feel about their job
