Andrew Morrison

In a government study of more than 1,000 companies, nearly one in five now say employees won’t return to the office with the same regulatory as before.

That increases to 41.9% for businesses with more than 250 people, according to the Scottish Government findings.

The Business Insights and Conditions Survey (BICS) was carried out between April 19 and May 2. It found 18.3% of businesses “intend to use increased homeworking as a permanent business model going forward” while 25.1%  were unsure. That compares to 14.8% in February and 13.9% last October.

Firms in the information and communication sector were most likely to permanently establish home working (46.8%) with accommodation and food services the least likely (5.2%).

Of those who said they would change their approach to office-based working, 36.7% said it would allow them to recruit from a wider geographical pool, 80% said it would improve staff wellbeing, and 30.9% cited reduced stress levels.

Among those businesses who said they would not change, 11.6% feared reduced productivity, and 17.2% poorer communication.

MCC Accountants said government taxation systems had to change with the times to maximise any boost to the economy developing patterns would have.

Director Andrew Morrison added that support may be required for those businesses in retail and hospitality who would lose out from the widespread closure of city centre offices.

He said: “It’s clear from this study that, after a year of working from home, more businesses are viewing this as a permanent solution.

“That will bring challenges and opportunities, and it’s important both the UK and Scottish Governments are able to respond to both.

“In terms of moving large workforces out of city centres, there’s definitely more that could be done to help businesses establish satellite offices in smaller towns to help spread economic productivity.”

He added: “This would give employers and employees the best of both worlds - lower rents, collaborative working, retaining the social aspect of work with less time wasted commuting.

“But help will also be needed for businesses like cafes and shops which rely upon city centre footfall from office workers. If the culture of going to the office five days a week is changing, then governments have to embrace it.

“And while it may suit many workers, we need to remember that for those starting their career and entering new industries, there is much to be lost from not being surrounded by more experienced colleagues.”