British workers twice as likely to work from home than French or Germans since Covid

[Maciamo]

The Coronavirus lockdown has changed the way people work in the West (and probably elsewhere too). Now that the lockdown has been easing or completely removed, many workers still prefer to work from home. This is especially true in Britain, where 42% of office workers are now working every day of the week from home, against 23% of Spaniards, 22% of Italians, 19% of Germans and 17% of French people.

The Economist: Covid-19 has forced a radical shift in working habits




A Standford study from late June 2020 showed that 42% of American workers were also working from home. But this was during the actual lockdown. At the time of the survey, 33% of Americans were not working at all, and the 26% who did show up at work were mostly essential service workers. So the situation is very different. It's likely that Americans after lockdown will be closer to the continental European average when it comes to choosing to work from home (when given the choice).

I have always preferred working from home. It's quieter, more flexible, I don't feel the pressure of people around me, and I can nap whenever I need it. I really understand why nearly half of British people would choose that option. What baffles me is that people in other countries appear some much more reluctant. Perhaps that has to do with the ratio of introverts (who have a strong preference for working from home) to extroverts (need to socialise) in each country. Or whether people need a structured environment to be able to work.

[Northener]

The Coronavirus lockdown has changed the way people work in the West (and probably elsewhere too). Now that the lockdown has been easing or completely removed, many workers still prefer to work from home. This is especially true in Britain, where 42% of office workers are now working every day of the week from home, against 23% of Spaniards, 22% of Italians, 19% of Germans and 17% of French people.

The Economist: Covid-19 has forced a radical shift in working habits




A Standford study from late June 2020 showed that 42% of American workers were also working from home. But this was during the actual lockdown. At the time of the survey, 33% of Americans were not working at all, and the 26% who did show up at work were mostly essential service workers. So the situation is very different. It's likely that Americans after lockdown will be closer to the continental European average when it comes to choosing to work from home (when given the choice).

I have always preferred working from home. It's quieter, more flexible, I don't feel the pressure of people around me, and I can nap whenever I need it. I really understand why nearly half of British people would choose that option. What baffles me is that people in other countries appear some much more reluctant. Perhaps that has to do with the ratio of introverts (who have a strong preference for working from home) to extroverts (need to socialise) in each country. Or whether people need a structured environment to be able to work.

In the Netherlands worked 48% form the population from home (07/ 2020):
https://www.nu.nl/economie/6065715/f...onacrisis.html

I guess differences in the economy (services or industry) give also differences in working from home or not for example with Germany (industry is still big there).

[Maciamo]

I looked up the numbers for Belgium. During the lockdown in May, it was reported that in Western Europe the percentages of teleworkers were 65% in Britain, 62% in Belgium, 55% in the Netherlands and 40% in Germany. The average for six countries was 57% with France and Spain.

This article from mid July says that after the lockdown ended in June 43% of Belgians were still teleworking, so about the same as in the UK.