For many people, working remotely is a new phenomenon, but most say it is something they want to continue when restrictions are eased.
A survey carried out by the Whitaker Institute at NUI Galway and the Western Development Commission (WDC) has shown that 19% of people working remotely have found internet connectivity to be an issue.
The majority (83%) of the 7,241 respondents indicated that they would like to work remotely after the crisis is over, to a varying degree. Some 42% said they would like to work remotely several times a week.
Survey findings
Over half of those surveyed (51%) had never worked remotely before the COVID-19 pandemic. Of those who had never worked remotely, 78% would like to work remotely for some or all of the time after the crisis is over.
These are the initial findings from the national survey across a wide range of industries and sectors over a one-week week period in April and May 2020.
CEO of the Western Development Commission Tomás Ó Síocháin said: “While a significant majority (83%) want to continue working remotely to some degree post-COVID-19, the figure is higher in the west and midlands.
"The preference of working from home or close to home in a hub/work-sharing space will allow individuals a better balance of work and home and generate and sustain economic activity in rural and regional areas.”
The top three challenges of working remotely were identified as follows:
1. Not being able to switch off from work. 2. Harder to communicate and collaborate with colleagues and co-workers. 3. Poor physical workspace. The top three benefits of working remotely were identified as follows:
1. No traffic and no commute.;
2. Reduced costs of going to work and commuting. 3. Greater flexibility as to how to manage the working day.Juggling childcare with work was also highlighted as a key issue, as well as the provision of suitable working equipment. Many also report the need for more suitable workspace within their home.
In relation to current levels of productivity, 37% of respondents indicated that their productivity working remotely during COVID-19 is about the same as normal and 30% report that their productivity is higher than normal.
“Many roles and jobs can be performed effectively remotely. Productivity does not necessarily correlate with presence in the workplace. What we do is more important than where we do it for many roles,” Professor Alma McCarthy said.
“A mind-set change is needed by managers and employers in terms of managing work remotely. The current crisis provides an opportunity for organisations and managers to rethink how we work.”
Read more
Survey: can we really work from home?
Are we clicking 'yes' to sharing our data too easily?
For many people, working remotely is a new phenomenon, but most say it is something they want to continue when restrictions are eased.
A survey carried out by the Whitaker Institute at NUI Galway and the Western Development Commission (WDC) has shown that 19% of people working remotely have found internet connectivity to be an issue.
The majority (83%) of the 7,241 respondents indicated that they would like to work remotely after the crisis is over, to a varying degree. Some 42% said they would like to work remotely several times a week.
Survey findings
Over half of those surveyed (51%) had never worked remotely before the COVID-19 pandemic. Of those who had never worked remotely, 78% would like to work remotely for some or all of the time after the crisis is over.
These are the initial findings from the national survey across a wide range of industries and sectors over a one-week week period in April and May 2020.
CEO of the Western Development Commission Tomás Ó Síocháin said: “While a significant majority (83%) want to continue working remotely to some degree post-COVID-19, the figure is higher in the west and midlands.
"The preference of working from home or close to home in a hub/work-sharing space will allow individuals a better balance of work and home and generate and sustain economic activity in rural and regional areas.”
The top three challenges of working remotely were identified as follows:
1. Not being able to switch off from work. 2. Harder to communicate and collaborate with colleagues and co-workers. 3. Poor physical workspace. The top three benefits of working remotely were identified as follows:
1. No traffic and no commute.;
2. Reduced costs of going to work and commuting. 3. Greater flexibility as to how to manage the working day.Juggling childcare with work was also highlighted as a key issue, as well as the provision of suitable working equipment. Many also report the need for more suitable workspace within their home.
In relation to current levels of productivity, 37% of respondents indicated that their productivity working remotely during COVID-19 is about the same as normal and 30% report that their productivity is higher than normal.
“Many roles and jobs can be performed effectively remotely. Productivity does not necessarily correlate with presence in the workplace. What we do is more important than where we do it for many roles,” Professor Alma McCarthy said.
“A mind-set change is needed by managers and employers in terms of managing work remotely. The current crisis provides an opportunity for organisations and managers to rethink how we work.”
Read more
Survey: can we really work from home?
Are we clicking 'yes' to sharing our data too easily?
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