Why the UK is Winning the Remote Work Revolution in Europe

Employees in the United Kingdom are setting the pace for remote work adoption across Europe, with an average of 1.8 days worked from home each week. This figure surpasses the global average of 1.3 days, positioning the UK just behind Canada in the global rankings.

A Shift in Work Culture Post-Pandemic

The findings from King’s College London's Global Survey of Working Arrangements, which involved 16,000 participants across 40 countries, reveal a significant transformation in the UK labour market. Remote work has evolved from a temporary solution during the COVID-19 pandemic to a defining feature of the UK's work culture.

Employee Resistance to Full-Time Office Return

More than half of the UK's white-collar workers would prefer to quit rather than revert to a traditional five-day office schedule. This sentiment is echoed by Cevat Giray Aksoy, an associate professor at KCL, who notes, "Remote work has moved from being an emergency response to becoming a defining feature of the UK labour market."

Despite some global companies, especially in financial services, pushing for a full-time office return, 58% of UK white-collar employees would consider resigning or job hunting if forced back into the office full-time.

The Future of Work: Hybrid Models

Heejung Chung, a professor at KCL, advocates for the formalization of hybrid work models, highlighting that remote workers tend to exhibit higher loyalty and commitment to their jobs. Meanwhile, a disconnect remains between CEOs' expectations for a full office return by 2027 and employees' preferences for flexibility.

In contrast to Western economies, East Asian countries like Japan and South Korea have largely returned to traditional office cultures, averaging less than one remote day per week. However, Aksoy predicts that hybrid and remote work will remain a staple in the UK, offering workers the flexibility to prioritize family, avoid commutes, or live outside expensive city centers.