The analysis shows that 4.7% of Wales’ workforce worked from home in 2018.
Across the UK, homeworking is up 27% over the last decade.
But not enough bosses are giving their workers the option of homeworking – which could help people to see more of their family and improve work-life balance.
Wales TUC estimate there are around 4 million more UK workers who say they would like to work from home for at least some of their working week – but aren’t given the chance.
The analysis reveals that across the UK:
Wales TUC Policy Officer Rhianydd Williams said:
“In many cases, homeworking is a win-win-win. Workers get more time with their families, employers can boost productivity and hang on to experienced staff, and the environment benefits as well.
“But too many employers in Wales are clinging to tradition, or don’t trust their staff enough to encourage homeworking. They need to catch up.
“Unions can help negotiate home working policies that work positively for both employers and staff. And government should be investing in broadband infrastructure so that every worker can get a high-speed connection at home.”
Chief Executive of Work Wise UK, the organiser of National Work from Home Day, Phil Flaxton said:
“Whilst it is encouraging to see a significant increase in the number of employees working from home there still needs to be a cultural shift for it to be accepted more widely.
“Attitudes are changing on how we balance or mix work and lifestyle. Increasing mobility and technology is shifting the acceptance or need for traditional 9-5 work patterns, to be replaced by a more flexible approach to the working week and this trend will continue as more of us embrace new, smarter ways of working such as working from home.
“More employers need to realise the tangible benefits of changing outdated working practices to reflect the connected world in which we live. These include, increased productivity, staff retention, less absenteeism and employee burnout.
“The business case is sound, and it really can be a win-win for all concerned.”
ENDS
Wales TUC Policy Officer Rhianydd Williams is available for further comment.
- Number of employees who regularly work from home across the UK
2008 |
% of workforce |
2018 |
% of workforce |
|
Men |
865,000 |
6.7 |
1,062,000 |
7.6 |
Women |
483,000 |
3.8 |
659,000 |
4.8 |
All |
1,348,000 |
5.2 |
1,722,000 |
6.1 |
Source: ONS Labour Force Survey Q4
- Number of employees who regularly work from home by nation/region in 2018
Number |
% of workforce |
|
North East |
45,000 |
4.2% |
North West |
168,000 |
5.6% |
Yorkshire and the Humber |
166,000 |
7.5% |
East Midlands |
125,000 |
6.2% |
West Midlands |
158,000 |
6.7% |
East |
172,000 |
6.6% |
London |
217,000 |
5.7% |
South East |
292,000 |
7.6% |
South West |
188,000 |
8.1% |
Wales |
61,000 |
4.7% |
Scotland |
106,000 |
4.5% |
Northern Ireland |
22,000 |
3.1% |
UK |
1,722,000 |
6.1% |
Source: ONS Labour Force Survey Q4
- Number of employees who regularly work from home by industry in 2018 across the UK
Number |
% workforce |
|
Agriculture forestry and fishing |
31,000 |
15.4% |
Manufacturing |
184,000 |
6.5% |
Electricity, gas and air supply |
34,000 |
12.0% |
Construction |
186,000 |
13.8% |
Wholesale and retail |
136,000 |
3.6% |
Transport and storage |
95,000 |
5.8% |
Hotels and restaurants |
25,000 |
1.6% |
Transport, storage and communication |
95,000 |
5.8% |
Finance and insurance |
25,000 |
1.6% |
Real estate, renting and business activities |
469,000 |
12.3% |
Public administration and defence |
108,000 |
5.2% |
Education |
91,000 |
3.0% |
Health and social work |
159,000 |
3.9% |
Other service activities |
108,000 |
7.6% |
All industries |
1,722,000 |
6.1% |
Source: ONS Labour Force Survey Q4
- Number of employees who regularly work from home by age in 2018 across the UK
Number |
% workforce |
|
16-19 |
16,000 |
1.6% |
20-29 |
207,000 |
3.4% |
30-39 |
345,000 |
6.0% |
40-49 |
444,000 |
7.5% |
50-59 |
433,000 |
7.6% |
60 and above |
254,000 |
11.0% |
All ages |
1,722,000 |
6.1% |
- Wales TUC is the voice of Wales at work. With 49 member unions, Wales TUC represents just over 400,000 workers. We campaign for a fair deal at work and for social justice at home and abroad.
Contacts:
Emma Bean
ebean@tuc.org.uk
020 7467 1257
07725 144 696
TUC press office
media@tuc.org.uk
020 7467 1248
Wales TUC Cymru
029 2034 7010
Phil Flaxton – Work Wise UK
phil@workwiseuk.org
07831 112639