Lord Stuart Rose, the former CEO of Marks & Spencer and recent ex-chairman of ASDA, has voiced strong criticism against the rise of working from home, asserting it is detrimental to productivity and workplace culture. During an interview with BBC Panorama, he claimed this trend has contributed to the UK's economic decline, arguing, “We have regressed in this country...by 20 years in the last four.”
Rose's comments come at a time when major firms such as Amazon, Boots, and JP Morgan are stepping up their requirements for employees to return to the office. He expressed concern over what he perceives as the loss of rigorous working standards, stating, “We are creating...a generation...not doing what I call proper work.”
The dramatic shift to remote work, which saw the number of home-based employees surge from 4.7 million to 9.9 million during the pandemic, is impacting not just productivity but local economies too. Industry experts have estimated vacant office spaces have nearly doubled since March 2020, and businesses reliant on office workers, like dry-cleaners, have suffered closures.
Despite Rose's critique, some experts offer differing viewpoints. Professor Nicholas Bloom, recognized for his research on remote work productivity, suggested spending three days per week at the office could maintain overall productivity. He indicated, especially for employees under 25, regular office presence fosters important mentorship opportunities.
Employment rights minister Justin Madders defended working from home, referencing “a growing body of evidence” supporting its productivity. He claimed the flexibility of remote work allows companies to cultivate more motivated workforces, arguing this approach could aid the UK’s growth ambitions.
Employers are caught between encouraging home working for flexibility and returning staff to offices for improved collaboration. For many, ensuring consistent face-to-face interactions remains pivotal for cultivating relationships. For example, Chris Goss, a company founder, insists his team must work at least three days from the office, citing the fundamental nature of personal relationships within the music industry to achieve success.
Yet, the situation is complex and fraught with contention. Union representatives, including Ed from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), assert employees refuse to return to the office, citing significant productivity gains and personal benefits achieved through remote working. He remarked, “We will never see this opportunity again...to fight for workers' rights.”
With civil servants facing mandatory office attendance policies, some have even threatened to strike. For many, reverting to pre-pandemic working conditions signals regressive work practices, threatening hard-fought advantages gained during the pandemic.
Rose has also drawn links between flexible working arrangements and mental health issues, particularly among young adults. Calling it “a big concern,” he believes the modern workforce’s disengagement may play a role in this growing mental health crisis.
Overall, the debate around working from home is increasingly dividing opinions. While Lord Rose champions the return to traditional workplace environments for productivity, others advocate for the benefits of flexible work arrangements, citing its role in enhancing job satisfaction and accommodating personal circumstances, especially for those with caregiving responsibilities.
The pushback against remote working is not limited to the private sector. The government’s stance on the rights to flexible working is also shifting, introducing new laws to strengthen employee flexibility requests. Yet, discontent among employees over mandatory office returns continues to simmer, raising questions about the future of work-life balance within the UK economy.