More than eight out of 10 people who had to work from home during the pandemic are planning to carry out hybrid working in future, according to figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

And the proportion planning to work primarily from home rose from 30% in April 2021 to 42% in February 2022.

It shows that many people are ignoring the government’s calls to return to the office in favour of what can be a better work-life balance.

Some 78% of those who worked from home to some extent said that their work-life balance was improved, while 53% cited fewer distractions, 52% said they completed their work more quickly, and 47% said their overall wellbeing was better.

The figures also come amid the rising cost of fuel and train fares, making a commute-less work day a cheaper option for many.

But there are disadvantages, the most common being a difficulty in working with others, according to 48% of home workers.

There are some sectors which, due to the nature of their work, cannot support staff working from home, but 23% of business said they are using or intend to use increased home-working as a permanent model.

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The most common reason given was staff well-being, while 43% cited reduced overheads, and 41% said the rate of productivity was higher.

According to the ONS, those earning £40,000 or more were more likely to hybrid work or work from home exclusively, while those earning £15,000 or less were the least likely.

Those aged 16-29 and those aged 50-69 were less likely to hybrid work than those aged 30-49 – almost three in 10 workers aged 30-49 reported hybrid working, compared with 23% of 16-29-year-olds and 20% of 50-69-year-olds.

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