Work from home warning: Bank of England chief economist says being away from the office can make staff LESS creative and LESS productive kitchen table
- Bank of England’s economist says it can make staff less creative and productive
- Pandemic may have triggered the ‘largest shift in working practices ever seen’
- Lack of face-to-face interaction with colleagues threatens the creativity needed to ‘fuel economic growth’ kitchen table
Working from home full time poses a long-term threat to kitchen table
the economy, the Bank of England’s chief economist has warned.
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Bank of England’s chief economist Andy Haldane has warned working from home full time poses a long-term
Andy Haldane said the pandemic may have triggered the ‘largest shift in working practices ever seen
Pointing out that he has only ventured in to his office in the City twice in
the past six months, he admitted there were advantages to working from home.
He said there was evidence that many feel happier and more empowered without the daily commute and increased flexibility.
But there was also evidence the shift had made staff less productive, he added, with kitchen table
parents often having to juggle work with childcare and stationed at makeshift desks around the kitchen table. kitchen table
He also warned the lack of face-to-face interaction with colleagues threatens the creativity needed to
Figures from the Office for National Statistics show almost a quarter of workers believe
their productivity has been negatively affected by home working, compared with 12 per cent who said it has improved.
He cautioned against full-time home working, arguing it could ultimately make
employees less happy, less creative and less productive in the longer term (stock image)
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In a speech, Mr Haldane said the transition to more flexible
working strikes a better balance than being tied to the office five days a week.
But he cautioned against full-time home working, arguing it could ultimately
make employees less happy, less creative and less productive in the longer term.
In an appeal to firms contemplating closing offices or moving to smaller premises, Mr
Haldane said: ‘It is well established that creativity fosters innovation and that in kitchen table
turn fuels economic growth. That was the story of the Industrial Revolution. kitchen table
‘It is also well established that exposure to new and different experiences – sounds, smells, environments
ONS figures show that much as 24 per cent of businesses said there had been
a decrease in productivity when workers logged on from kitchen tables (file photo)
The pandemic may have triggered the ‘largest shift in working practices ever seen’
in modern times. Pictured: A busy Waterloo Station, London
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‘The key point here is that home working can starve us of many of these creative
raw ingredients – the chance conversation, the new person or idea or environment.
Home working means serendipity is supplanted by scheduling, face-to-face by Zoom-to-Zoom.
‘Remote working inhibits our ability to cultivate and grow these kitchen table
working relationships. Social capital has been another casualty of the crisis.’ kitchen table
Offices across the country have been emptying again after the Prime Minister
changed government guidance last month to urge staff to work at home if they can.
ONS figures show just 60 per cent of adults travelled to work between October 14 and
Meanwhile, the proportion working from home rose to 25 per cent – the highest since August.
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