Lord Alan Sugar has delivered a scathing take on the remote working trend, declaring many young workers seem eager to "just want to sit at home" rather than return to the office. During a recent interview with BBC, the 77-year-old tycoon urged for a return to traditional work settings, insisting: "They’ve got to get their bums back in the office." Lord Sugar owns an extensive portfolio of central London office spaces under his Amsprop brand.
The surge in hybrid working has made leasing office properties more challenging and potentially less profitable. Firm in his convictions, Lord Sugar affirmed: "I’m a great advocate of getting them back to work because the only way an apprentice is going to learn is from his colleagues." He emphasized the value of in-person mentorship, sharing: "It’s small things, like interaction with your more mature colleagues, which will tell you how to do this, how to dothat." He expressed concern over the absence of hands-on learning opportunities, attributing this to what he deems the "work-from-home, Zoom culture."
Despite acknowledging exceptions for certain roles such as software writers, who might “get up at three o’clock in the morning with some kind of brainstorm,” and for individuals with disabilities, Sugar maintains his stance on the advantages of being present in the office—especially for those starting their careers.
The changes in workplace norms gained traction during the Covid-19 pandemic, impacting office employees most significantly. According to recent statistics from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), around 28% of the UK workforce is engaged in some form of hybrid work, dividing their time between the office and home. On the other hand, 44% of individuals commute to their workplace daily, with about 13% working remotely full-time.
Survey respondents reported dedicates more time to rest, exercise, and overall wellbeing when provided the flexibility of remote working. This shift has led the Labour government to adjust legislation to grant workers the right to flexible working arrangements. The forthcoming Employment Rights Bill aims to make hybrid working accessible to all, stipulating employers must demonstrate impracticality if they wish to refuse hybrid work requests.
Nevertheless, many major corporations, including Amazon and JP Morgan, have recently summoned employees back to the office full-time. Corporate leaders argue the necessity of face-to-face interaction for collaboration, asserting having staff onsite results in increased productivity.
Lord Sugar echoes sentiments expressed by former ASDA and Marks & Spencer boss Lord Stuart Rose, who has also criticized remote working policies. Earlier this month, Lord Rose dismissed the validity of working from home, labeling it as not being "proper work." He remarked, "We have regressed in this country...by 20 years in the last four," signifying the impact of altered workplace practices on productivity and overall wellbeing.
Adding to the discussion, Lord Sugar also criticized the role of artificial intelligence (AI) within job applications, labeling it as "a bit cheating". He remarked, "If you’re going to use it to write your CV and big yourself up, then that's wrong, isn't it?" His comments stem from the observation of current trends where AI assists applicants and recruiters, raising ethical concerns about its proper use.
Throughout his career, Lord Sugar has amassed significant wealth, currently estimated at over £1 billion, having invested wisely across various business ventures, including the tech industry and property investments. Despite his assertive views on work dynamics and productivity, he has no political ambitions, stating, "I have no intention of putting myself forward to be the prime minister because it’s an untenable and thankless job."
Overall, Lord Alan Sugar's staunch advocacy for returning to traditional office settings reflects broader concerns about the changing nature of work and the effects of remote practices on the learning and development of the workforce. Whether businesses and workers will rally behind such calls remains to be seen, but for now, discussions continue to keep the balance between flexibility and professional development alive.