Number of remote working jobs soars in response to pandemic

The New Street Consulting Group said around 80,700 vacancies for remote working were advertised at the end of last year.

The consultants said its study was a sign that a major change was under way in the world of work in Britain as a result of the coronavirus crisis.

Businesses were experimenting with cutting office space to reduce overheads and allow some staff the option to work from home longer term, said the report.

The research also indicated there has been a sharp rise in remote working among senior managers and directors in the past year.

Some staff have struggled with the demands of working in isolation without the social interaction of the workplace during the lockdown periods, said the report.

Natalie Douglass, of the New Street Consulting Group, said: “Businesses are now deciding how many of their staff they are going to bring back into the office once this crisis is finally over and how many can stay remote.

“Most businesses take the view that staff and tasks are better off in an office environment where close team working, collaboration and mentoring can more easily take place.

“However, we are certainly going to see a more hybrid workforce with working from home an option for at least some of their staff.

“Feedback we get is that many staff have missed interacting with their colleagues, that the experience of working from home has been isolating. Obviously not everyone has a space that they can easily work from.”