16.04.2021

A fifth of UK workers feel remote working has reduced recognition in the workplace

Research from Ezra, a leading provider of digital coaching has revealed that a fifth of UK workers feel they get less recognition within their career as a direct result of working remotely.

It remains to be seen to what extent we will return to a full working environment, as Covid restrictions see many continue to work from home for part of, if not their whole working week.

There are, of course, positives to this change in the way we work and the research by Ezra shows that 44% of us feel more productive within our role as a result. 42% also feel their productivity hasn’t changed when comparing working from home to the office, with just 15% stating they get less done working remotely.

55% of workers also stated that they would be more likely to work additional hours to those required while working from home.

However, while working remotely has increased productivity and the number of hours worked for many, as many as a fifth of us feel it’s going unnoticed. Ezra’s research shows that 20% of workers feel they now receive less recognition within the workplace due to the nature of remote working.

72% feel that they received the same amount of recognition even when putting in additional work, with just 8% feeling they gain more recognition while working remotely.

Despite this angst around a lack of recognition, the good news is that the vast majority feel safe within their role. Just 10% of those surveyed stated that they were worried that a move towards remote working for the long term would see them lose their job as their role outsourced.

Founder of Ezra, Nick Goldberg, commented: “An interesting dynamic is currently emerging within the workplace whereby employees are enjoying the flexibility that remote working provides, however, they are starting to feel perhaps a little disconnected from the physical aspect of their role.

For many, work satisfaction is based on a wide variety of factors and some of these factors simply can’t be obtained, or replicated, in a remote format. Workplace benefits, social interaction, the competition of the workplace or the buzz of an office, these are all things that we’re starting to realise we do actually miss to some extent.

Hopefully, as the vaccine rollout continues we will start to see the scales tip more in favour of a return to the workplace. In the meantime, the good news is that many feel safe within their roles albeit remotely and don’t fear a wave of outsourcing to further cut costs.”

Survey of 1,085 UK office workers carried out by Ezra (8th April 2021).

Do you think working remotely has impacted your productivity within your role?
Answer	Respondents
Yes, I get more done	44%
It hasn't changed	42%
Yes, I get less done	15%

Are you more likely to work additional hours to those required when working remotely?
Answer	Respondents
Yes	55%
No	45%

Do you feel remote working has impacted the recognition you receive within the workplace?
Answer	Respondents
It hasn't changed	72%
Yes, I get less	20%
Yes, I get more	8%

Do you fear a move towards remote working could see your role outsourced?
Answer	Respondents
No	90%
Yes	10%