Working two days a week in the office ‘will be the new normal’ for millions of employees

WORKING just two days a week from the office is set the become the new normal for millions of employees.

The government has lifted its guidance for Brits to work from home, but most bosses will not force workers to return to the office every day, according to the latest research.

Two in five businesses will allow all or some staff members to work from home in the future, compared to just one in four firms before the Covid crisis.

YouGov data showed that only one in five firms will require all workers to come in five days a week.

Before the pandemic, one in three firms made all staff work from the office everyday.

Hybrid working – where employees split their time between home and the office – is expected to continue to increase.

The survey showed 7% of businesses will ask staff to come in for one day per week, rising to 12% for two days a week.

A further 11% will require staff to work from the office on three days each week, and 6% will ask employees to return for four days.

Meanwhile, a fifth of businesses plan to let their staff choose whether to come in at all – up from 11% before the coronavirus crisis.

There does not appear to be any rise in businesses cutting costs by making all of their staff work remotely.

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Enforced home working was around 9% – similar to the 8% recorded before the pandemic.

Your rights on returning to the office

Your boss legally has the right to tell you to return to the office, depending on what is in your contract.

If your contract specifies that you will be office-based or based elsewhere, your employer is entitled to ask you to resume working from that location.

But they must also take into account any advice issued by the Government and they shouldn’t force you back if you have reasonable concerns.

It’s worth letting your boss know what your working preferences are as they may be willing to be flexible.

Employers have a legal duty to ensure workplaces do not pose a risk to health and safety.

If you’re unhappy with the safety measures in place at your office you should discuss it with your employer.

Following that, you could report them to the Health and Safety Executive.

If you’re worried about using public transport to commute, you may be able to reach an agreement with your employer to travel at a quieter time of day.

You shouldn’t go into work if you’re self-isolating, and in that case you must tell your employer that you have to stay at home.