Four out of ten employees working from home are working longer hours

Nine out of ten Irish workers surveyed by Irish Jobs are now working from home since the onset of Covid-19 restrictions.

The research, which surveyed 877 Irish employees, found that 44% of Irish workers now find themselves to be working longer hours than they did at the office, with just over one in five saying that they cannot switch off from work. Similarly, just more than half (51%) of those working remotely say that that they are interrupted by family obligations during the workday, and 22% say they are balancing their job with home-schooling their children. Other details featured in the report including a note that the kitchen table is the most popular at-home work station with 42% choosing to work there (I am currently writing this from my bed, in case anyone was wondering). As for breaks, almost all (94%) of respondents say they are taking a break, with 70% using that time to prepare food, 46% getting some fresh air and 34% spending time with others in their household. Orla Moran, General Manager at Irish Jobs, has said that employers still have a responsibility to boost morale among their employees who are WFH. "While remote working may be a relatively new concept for some, the adaptability of both employees and employers has been remarkable. "However, it is inevitable that we will all experience dips in morale, motivation and productivity. Employers should look to take reasonable steps to manage this. "Keeping in touch with employees regularly, offering extra support in managing workload and encouraging them to put clear boundaries around their work and home life, are just some of the ways employers can facilitate this new way of working and ensure that operations remain as normal as possible."