Working from home ‘more productive’ The UK’s largest ever flexible working pilot found workers were more productive, happier and richer if they did not go into the office.

       

Studies consistently show that working from home is more productive 

Although working from home is already routinely used across a range of businesses, the pilot conducted by O2 in February is claimed to be the largest single day when staff who would normally work in an office were compelled to work from home. Studies show that young workers increasingly regard working from home a 'right' rather than a privilege.

Of 3,000 Slough workers, just 125 “mission critical” people worked from their desks as normal. The remaining staff saved a collective £9,000 in reduced commuting costs, while 14 per cent said they saw more of their families and 36 per cent said they were more productive than when at work.

An additional 1,000 hours, time otherwise spent commuting, was spent working. Workers said they spent a further 1,000 extra hours sleeping and otherwise relaxing.

The trial was conducted as part of O2’s preparation for anticipated disruption during the Olympics, a period when the Government is encouraging more businesses to let their staff work from home.

The company upgraded its virtual private network to allow computer users to securely access files and the firm’s internal websites, and also improved software to allow users to collaborate from home.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/news/9182464/Working-from-home-more-productive.html