MORE Colchester residents are working from home now than before the Covid-19 pandemic, despite the lifting of all legal restrictions.

Research from the Institute for the Future of Work (IFoW) research unit found Covid-19 rules led to a rise of working from home across the UK – but data shows many employees are keen to continue working flexibly.

Location data from phones and other personal devices can be used to track trends in people’s movement, including where they work day-to-day.

In March 2020, for example, this location data found workplace activity was 61 per cent below normal levels before lockdown measures were imposed; in 2021, it was 43 per cent below normal levels.

And the most recent figures show that, in the working week to April 1, workplace activity was 30 per cent lower than during a five-week period before the pandemic began.

In England, domestic legal restrictions ended on February 24 as part of the Government’s Living with Covid plan, and although the number of people working in offices is increasing, it is still some way off previous pre-Covid levels.

Current data shows 57 per cent of people in the UK currently commute to their workplace, with 12 per cent of people working exclusively from home, and 14 per cent of people combining the two flexibly.

A spokeswoman from the IFoW explained the opportunity to work from anywhere, at any time – combined with the ability for employees to spend more time with their families – meant people have been keen to maintain some semblance of home working post-Covid.

She said: “Our research finds that individual preferences vary hugely, with some missing the every day social interactions of a shared work space and experiencing an increased blurring of work-life boundaries.

“Since experience of homeworking varies enormously, it is important for employers to meaningfully consult with their employees on a regular basis about home working in order to minimise risks.”

The Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service, which provides impartial workplace advice, came to a similar conclusion.

Chief executive Susan Clews said: “Hybrid or home working may not be practical for everyone and there are different types of flexible working that may work better.”