Business Travel
Remote Working Trends 2022: The Rise of the Half-Tourist
The last three years have transformed the modern work environment. Even as life continues to more of a normal pace, more companies are relaxing their remote and flexible work policies and embracing the remote working policies of the future.
If you’re looking to embrace the culture of remote working while ticking off your bucket list, be sure to check out our list of West London properties, equipped with all the creature comforts you need, from fast Wi-Fi to premium coffee machines to help you work efficiently from home.
Keep reading to discover some of the growing trends for 2022 and beyond.
More companies are embracing remote working
When the pandemic hit, remote working turned from a luxury to a necessity for many. Having learned the positives of remote working, more companies have become more flexible with this way of working, with some even shutting down their office spaces permanently in favour of the reduced costs of working from home.
According to a YouGov survey of more than 500 finance executives from across the United Kingdom, less than 14% of employees consider the office their primary place of work. A total of 42% work from home most of the time, whereas the majority (44%) have a hybrid approach.
According to a survey by Gallup, more than two-thirds of managers are planning to support increased remote working opportunities for their team in the future. Based on research by Gartner, nearly half of employees will work at least two days a week from home in the post-COVID world.
A greater focus on employee wellbeing
While many are embracing the freedom of working from home, a survey by Buffer has revealed that it comes with its struggles too. Many employees are reporting the difficulty of maintaining a healthy work-life balance as the lines between work and home life collide.
Nearly 20% of survey respondents reported that they are finding it hard to collaborate and communicate effectively with their team, 18% report feeling lonely and another 18% suffer from not being able to switch off, showing the need for a life outside of work or a change in scenery.
Companies are changing their policies to focus more on employee happiness and wellbeing by encouraging meditation and mental health practices. According to this CBInsights Report, there has been a 139% increase in mental health startups in 2021 versus 2020.
Remote working holidays are on the rise
With more employees being able to work remotely, travelling employees, dubbed “half tourists”, are looking for a change in scenery. Instead of tackling the normal nine to five in a small apartment, they’re opting to travel abroad and work from there.
Staycations are another key trend with many UK travellers opting to explore their own country, staying at short-term rentals with great Wi-Fi and working remotely. Check out Kensington and Victoria for some of the best West London areas to live in while working from home.
Video conferencing has replaced in-person meetings
With the likes of Zoom, more companies are connecting via video conference platforms than in person. Zoom reported that their volume of 10 million participants using the platform at the end of 2019 grew to a whopping 300 million participants every day in April 2020, just four months later. It’s also predicted that by 2024, in-person meetings will account for just a quarter of all annual meetings.
More online video conferencing methods allows for greater flexibility as employees no longer need to be in the office to attend certain events in person. They are free to have their meetings from home or wherever they choose. In fact, many companies have even started embracing virtual job interviews to simplify logistics, reduce their costs and save time for both parties.
For those who prefer the old-fashioned way of in-person meetings and interviews, however, short-term rentals in big cities like London make in-person conferencing just as easy. With fast Wi-Fi and comfortable living conditions, these work-from-home nooks support the hybrid approach of flying in for a meeting and then combining remote working with exploring a new city.
Looking to become a half-tourist in London? Book a stay with us today to take advantage of our most competitive rates for short-term rentals in Kensington and West London.
Collaborative tools for remote working are increasing
Not only are video conferencing tools transforming the modern ways of working, but innovative tools are on the rise that makes it easy for companies to have their employees working collaboratively, regardless of where they are in the world.
Online whiteboard software, such as Asana, Miro and Conceptboard allow for real-time collaboration. They can bring teams together for a wide range of collaborative tasks, such as meetings and online workshops as well as research and design tasks and brainstorming, strategy and planning sessions. They can also be easily integrated with tools such as Dropbox, Google Suite, JIRA and Slack to support and encourage a seamless workflow anytime, anywhere.
The best short-term rentals in London
Looking for a short-term rental to work remotely in London, while still exploring the sights of the city? Our West London properties are conveniently located for easy access into central London for business meetings, or to explore the best places in West London on your doorstep.
Take a look at our carefully curated expert local guides for inspiration on the best things to do in London this summer.