The future of work is flexible - says new study

Lockdown has also had a disproportionately negative impact on parents, especially mothers, with a majority noting that they have been carrying out more housework and care. New research from the University of Kent and the University of Birmingham has found that mass homeworking during the COVID-19 lockdown has presented significant challenges for parents, particularly mothers, but has also changed the way that many people intend to work in the future. The Working from Home during COVID-19 Lockdown Project , led by Dr Heejung Chung of Kent's School of Social Policy, Sociology and Social Research, and Dr Holly Birkett and Dr Sarah Forbes of Birmingham Business School , has highlighted a steep rise in the number of employees working flexibly with 86% of those surveyed working from home at some point during the COVID-19 lockdown. The research indicates that attitudes to flexible working are changing as a result of lockdown. Most respondents noted they would prefer to work more flexibly in the future (including 52% of all parents and 66% of non-parents), after benefitting from a better work-life balance, increased productivity and improved wellbeing during lockdown. Parents predominantly wanted more flexibility and to reduce their working hours with 64% of fathers and 59% of mothers saying they would like to reduce their hours to spend more time with family. Managers and organisations have also improved their support for homeworking during lockdown.