Hybrid staff now say the workplace is a break from distractions at house

Brits who work remotely now say that going into the office is a break from home and not the other way around, with more than half admitting they miss it

Hybrid workers are flipping the script, with many now viewing the office as a welcome escape from home life, rather than the other way around. Over half of them even confess to missing the buzz of the office when they’re stuck at home.

Most reckon this is down to fewer distractions and more socialising. A survey of 1,000 hybrid office workers revealed that 26% are happy to have a change of scenery, while a solid 39% reckon it’s easier to collaborate with others when they’re in the work place. Consequently, 44% reckon it’s easier to get through their to-do list when they’re in the office.

A fifth said they end up being yanked away from their desks by their kids when they’re at home, and 27% also get side-tracked by their furry friends. The research also uncovered other interruptions include the doorbell ringing or scrolling through social media.

Nearly a quarter (23%) find their partner’s presence distracting, with 67% disrupted by non-work conversations and 41% annoyed by them clattering around in the kitchen.

A spokesperson for Access Self Storage, which dishes out flexible office space across the UK, said: “This research shows there are lots of benefits to being in the office, especially if your home life is a bit more chaotic than you’d like.”

They further commented added; “It’s important to have a workspace that allows you to separate home life from work life in a friendly and productive environment.

“A place where you can focus and maintain a healthy balance between your personal and professional commitments.”

Over two thirds confessed they head to the office specifically to dodge these distractions at home. An additional 31% do so to better distinguish their work and home lives, while 30% believe their desk setups and resources are much better there.

Seven in ten also reckon being in an office environment, surrounded by other people to interact with, is beneficial for career progression.

When given the option, most people chose three days a week in the office as the ideal frequency. Slightly fewer (18%) believed two days would be best and a mere 4% were content to return five days a week.

Access Self Storage’s spokesperson chimed in: “For many, the office isn’t just a place to work – it’s a space to reset and refocus.

“Sometimes, a bit of separation between work and home life is exactly what’s needed to strike the right balance.”