The ways in which the pandemic has allowed us to rethink our Work-Life-Balance represents a significant cultural shift which should be explored by government as a possible new paradigm for the UK. Three ways in which this opportunity could be capitalised on post-COVID are via:
1. the creation of policy encouraging WFH
2. support for businesses which rely on office culture
3. normalising work spaces which exist within or close-to the home
1. Economic incentives could be made available to companies which allow employees to work remotely part of the week, as far as this is feasible. These would need to ensure that employees are encouraged, rather than forced, to work from home as this is not suitable for every employee.
2. Businesses which reply on people commuting, such as coffee or sandwich shops, should be taken into consideration. Specific economic allowances could be devised, for example reduced tax for businesses located in city centres which are quieter during the working week. Furthermore, focussing on a shift to part-time rather than permanent WFH would ensure these markets don’t completely dry up.
3. Remote working spaces, whether a home office or a co-working office located in suburbs, would help normalise the shift in work-life-balance. Homes with a home-office could be rated differently in council tax, and businesses which operate as co-working spaces could be eligible for additional support.
The ideas above aim to capitalise on the opportunity afforded by the pandemic to rethink the way much of the UK engages with working life. This would enable a wider cultural shift where being productive closer to home is viewed as positively as being in the office. COVID-19 has shown us that there is an alternative to our dominant paradigm of office culture. One which allows us to carve out more space for personal or home life without sacrificing productivity or economic contribution. And happier citizens are often healthier citizens.
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