Over half of finance workers want to work from home when lockdown is lifted
Mortgage Finance Gazette
Mortgage Finance
4 years ago
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The study among 1,818 office workers found that 55% of accountants, bankers and finance workers want more home working opportunities and the main reason is to avoid commuting.

The top ten professions that would prefer to work from home more often once lockdown is lifted, are:

  1. Recruitment and HR (69%)
  2. Sales (67%)
  3. Science and pharmaceuticals (65%)
  4. Information technology, creative arts and design (63%)
  5. Law (61%)
  6. Media and internet (60%)
  7. Healthcare (57%)
  8. Accountancy, banking and finance, property and construction (55%)
  9. Law enforcement and security, energy and utilities (53%)
  10. Environment and agriculture (50%)

Among the accountants, bankers and finance workers, 34% felt it was the lack of commute in and out of work that made them enjoy home working the most, 13% said it was due to the reduction in meetings and 12% liked the fact they could save money on their commute.

The research found that the pandemic has helped alter people’s mindset towards environmental issues with 40% of workers considering alternative eco-friendly commutes when they can safely return to work.

When accountants, bankers and finance workers were asked why they would consider buying an electric car, 47% said it was because they are better for the environment. Hitachi Capital says this suggests that lockdown has helped workers examine their carbon footprint and consider more eco-friendly commuting options post-lockdown.

Commenting on the findings, Robert Gordon, CEO of Hitachi Capital, said: “Working from home has both its pros and cons, and our research shows that it could definitely have a lasting impact on the habits of accountants, bankers and finance workers.

“This changing landscape provides employers with an opportunity to re-evaluate their business models. Remote working has forced everyone to rethink their working practises and opens up new opportunities for attracting and retaining the best talent from a wider pool.

“It could also lead to operational savings, using agile working to offset the cost of expanding office premises.”