Working from home: Hardly working?

Brandwatch Bulletin #17: Working from Home: Hardly Working?

Working from home isn't working for everyone.

6 November 2020

Today we’ll take your mind off world events to reflect on working from home, sharing insights from our recent report ‘Consumer Tech: What’s Changed in 2020?’. Do people have what they need to work comfortably and effectively? What are the new expectations of employers?

Going remote

Back in March, a huge portion of the workforce suddenly began working from home. In October, we surveyed 7,478 respondents across the US, Mexico, France, Germany, Spain, the UK, Australia, and Singapore using Brandwatch Qriously. 46% of them reported that they work or study at home all the time or sometimes.

Of those respondents working from home, only 46% of them said that they have everything they need to work comfortably and effectively.

That leaves 54% selecting either ‘Somewhat’ or ‘No’ when asked if they have what they need. That’s a large chunk of the work-from-home workforce ill-equipped to thrive during their working hours.

Suitable computers or laptops, a reliable internet connection, and comfortable chairs were common items people were missing among those who don’t or only somewhat have what they need.

A lack of adequate seating is of real concern. Our previous research has indicated that many are suffering from back pain from unsuitable WFH seating arrangements.

WFH goals

With many people saying they lack a suitable computer or laptop, we asked our whole group of WFH respondents about what they’d ideally like in a computer set-up.

45% of respondents who work or study from home (either part or full time) will ideally use one computer or laptop for both work and personal activities, while 27% would prefer to have one work computer or laptop and one personal computer or laptop.

The most popular option – one computer for all tasks, personal and work-related – is interesting. Many employees expect their work laptop to also handle their personal use, which could range all the way from browsing, to streaming, to gaming, and everything (SFW or not) in between.

Who pays?

Our survey also showed that 64% of respondents who do work or study from home have either made a purchase or plan to in the near future that will improve their working space.

Given all the inadequate equipment, and that the initial ‘make-do’ attitude has dwindled, is the onus on employees to spend the money for better Wi-Fi or a comfortable chair?

We asked all of our global respondents (regardless of whether they worked from home or not) if employers should pay for specific items for their WFH employees.

While the majority of people reported that they think employers should pay for a suitable laptop or computer, perhaps most interesting is the 48% who think employers should pay for their employees to have a reliable internet connection.

Only 12% of our respondents believe that employers shouldn’t pay for anything.

The WFH struggle is still very real. The pandemic expedited the shift from the office to the home office and, while people improvised and adapted in the short term, there is much that can be improved as remote working becomes more of a norm.

Get more in-depth data

Learn more about changing consumer tech needs in our new ‘Consumer Tech: What’s Changed in 2020?’ report here.

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