Working from home ‘not proper work’ – ex-Asda boss
4 min read
Lord Rose said working practices had regressed since the pandemic
Former Asda and Marks and Spencer boss Lord Rose has criticized working from home, claiming it contributes to a “general decline” in the UK economy and diminishes employees’ productivity. His remarks, made in an interview with BBC Panorama, have sparked a wider debate on remote work, especially in light of recent actions by some major companies, like Amazon, Boots, and JP Morgan, which have mandated their employees to return to the office full-time.
Lord Rose argued that remote work practices are not conducive to proper work, contending that the shift towards homeworking has set the UK back by about 20 years in terms of working practices, productivity, and overall national wellbeing. While he recognizes that employees may benefit from the flexibility of working from home, Rose believes that this practice is undermining professional standards. “We have regressed,” he said, emphasizing that the results of this shift were apparent across various sectors of society, including weakened workplace culture and diminished productivity levels.
However, not everyone agrees with this view. Professor Nicholas Bloom, a work-from-home expert from Stanford University, acknowledges that fully remote work can negatively impact certain workers’ productivity but also highlights that a hybrid approach—spending at least three days a week in the office—could be as effective as traditional office work for overall productivity. Bloom’s research shows that many workers, particularly those in their teens and early twenties, benefit from the mentorship and collaboration that in-person office settings provide.
Data from the UK Office for National Statistics paints a picture of a nation grappling with shifting work habits. The ONS’s November 2024 survey found that while 26% of workers were hybrid working—splitting their time between home and the office—14% of the workforce was fully remote, and 41% still commuted to work each day. This indicates a significant departure from pre-pandemic norms, with the rise of homeworking having a noticeable impact on local economies. Some industries, including the dry-cleaning business, have faced severe downturns, while other activities, like weekday golf, have boomed. These shifts, Rose argues, suggest a lack of productivity and an unsustainable economic model.
The growing division between employers and employees regarding remote work policies is becoming a key point of contention in the culture wars. The UK government is moving to bolster employees’ rights to request working from home, making it more difficult for employers to deny these requests. However, many businesses, including public sector organizations, are pushing back, arguing that face-to-face interactions in the workplace are necessary for collaboration and innovation.
This tension is felt acutely in industries like music, where relationships and collaboration are central. Chris Goss, founder of independent record label Hospital Records, has noted that remote work is damaging to the company’s ability to foster personal connections that drive success. Goss’s company has implemented a new policy requiring staff to work at least three days in the office, which has not been well-received by all employees, especially younger staff members who value the flexibility of remote work. Maya, a 25-year-old marketing manager at the company, said she values in-person collaboration but also needs the flexibility of working from home to manage her workload and preserve her energy.
On the other hand, some workers feel that remote work is a necessary lifeline for personal and family reasons. Harleen, a mother of two who was made redundant after the birth of her second child, finds it challenging to find a flexible job that suits her responsibilities as a caregiver. Remote work, she argues, would allow her to balance her professional and personal lives, providing her with the opportunity to return to work without sacrificing her role as a mother.
While some argue that working from home can boost productivity and inclusivity, particularly for those with caring responsibilities, the debate continues. For instance, civil servants in the UK are resisting a push to return to the office full-time, arguing that their remote work has not negatively affected productivity. Ed, an IT delivery manager at the Office for National Statistics (ONS), stated that working from home has not harmed the quality of their work or their ability to meet deadlines, and that commuting adds unnecessary stress to his life. However, the ONS has defended in-person office work, arguing that it fosters better collaboration and relationship-building.
As the government and employers continue to battle over remote work policies, it is clear that the future of work will not return to the pre-pandemic norm. The debate over remote versus office work will continue to evolve, as workers and employers grapple with finding a balance that works for both productivity and wellbeing.
About The Author
