Maintaining a routine

Despite working longer hours, the majority (55%) of employees try to maintain a regular routine when working from home.

Over half (55%) of those surveyed say that they still wake up at the same time as they would if they were going to the office. Over four in ten employees 42% admit to sleeping in slightly longer but say that despite this, they continue to start work at their usual time.

Over nine in 10 employees (94%) ensure that they take a regular break every day when working from home, with 35% taking their break at the same time as they would on a normal working day in the office. Of those who take a break, seven in 10 (70%) spend it making food, almost half (46%) get outside for fresh air and over three in 10 (34%) use it to spend time with others in their household.

Distractions and disruptions

While the majority of employees try to maintain a regular working routine, many are juggling various personal priorities, particularly those with young families or vulnerable dependents.

Over half (51%) of employees surveyed are interrupted during their working day by family members and 22% are dividing their time between a job and home-schooling children. Daily chores are also proving disruptive, with 21% surveyed finding the washing machine to be a distraction during the working day.

The home office 

When it comes to finding a place to work at home, the kitchen table (42%) is the most popular choice of workspace for employees. Two in 10 employees surveyed are fortunate to have a dedicated home office space (20%) or a spare room (14%) to work from.

When asked if they missed their usual working environment, 79% of employees surveyed stated that they did, and socialising with work colleagues (89%) ranked as the main reason for this.

Other reasons for missing the usual working environment include working at a proper desk (62%), or missing the facilities available within their workplace (25%).

Commenting on the results of the survey, Orla Moran, General Manager at IrishJobs.ie said:

“The measures that have been put in place to contain the spread of Covid-19 have undoubtedly changed our normal way of living. 

“When we look at the workplace, there has been significant levels of change in recent weeks. The vast majority of people in employment are now working from home, with over 90 per cent of employees working remotely as a direct result of the pandemic. 

“While remote working may be a relatively new concept for some, the adaptability of both employees and employers has been remarkable. 

“However, as we enter a further three weeks of Covid-19 restrictions, and who knows thereafter, it is inevitable that we will all experience dips in morale, motivation and productivity. Employers should look to take reasonable steps to manage this. 

“Keeping in touch with employees regularly, offering extra support in managing workload and encouraging them to put clear boundaries around their work and home life, are just some of the ways employers can facilitate this new way of working and ensure that operations remain as normal as possible.”