Nine out of ten employees are pushing to WFH in a bid to combat soaring fuel prices amid cost-of-living crisis, new research reveals
- Research shows consumers are trying to beat living costs rises with home work
- A survey of over 3000 says 90% are now pushing for more remote working
- The push to work from home could result in even higher home energy costs and broadband costs
Many employees are trying to persuade their managers to allow them to work from home more because of rising fuel prices, new research suggests.
A survey of almost 3,000 workers found that nine in 10 are pushing for more remote working amid the cost-of-living crisis.
Recruiter Randstad said its findings follow huge increases in the cost of petrol and diesel in recent months.
A survey of almost 3,000 workers found that nine in 10 are pushing for more remote working amid the cost-of-living crisis. Pictured: Commuters at London Bridge station last month
Chief executive Victoria Short said the Chancellor’s recent announcement of a cut to fuel duty has failed to bring costs down.
‘Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the International Energy Agency recommended its members introduce emergency measures to restrain demand, including working from home. Well, workers here are ahead of the game.
‘The rise in fuel prices is a much bigger blow to workers in Northern Ireland and Wales than to those in London.
‘Londoners have public transport options, subsidised by the British taxpayer, that aren’t available in other parts of the country.
‘For people who have to drive, being hit by massive fuel bills to travel to work, while seemingly subsidising London’s transport infrastructure must feel pretty painful.
‘On top of that, train passengers have just suffered one of the worst periods of cancellations ever due to staff shortages – so that’s not exactly a reliable option either.
‘If the government wants to encourage people back to the office and open up city centres, it needs to look at cutting VAT on petrol and diesel.’
Many homeworkers reported spending less on food, petrol, parking and public transport compared with going into the office
Despite the push from these workers to forgo the office, this choice will also mean higher broadband and heating costs.
86% of respondents to an ONS survey said that they had spent more on energy with a quarter reporting increased broadband bills.
But this was balanced out by the savings on petrol, food, parking and public transport by working from home.
However, many homeworkers reported spending less on food, petrol, parking and public transport compared with going into the office.
There has also been a push to so-called hybrid working which involves working from home and the office on different days.
ONS data in January said that 38% of respondents had worked from home at least one day in the past week, a 6% increase compared to August 2021.
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