'We are not lazy' - Working from home criticism sparks anger

The debate over working from home has intensified following remarks made by a former executive of M&S and Asda, who claimed that remote work is 'not proper work. ' This statement has sparked outrage among many individuals who have embraced the flexibility of working from home. The BBC has received an overwhelming response from the public, with hundreds of people sharing their experiences and frustrations regarding this issue. One notable voice is that of Alba, a 52-year-old woman from Dorking, who is currently on the lookout for a remote job. Alba, who has chronic pain, travel sickness, and migraines, firmly believes that working from home is essential for her well-being. She stated, 'We are not lazy. We don't want to golf all day. ' Alba, who previously held a position as a business administrator, explained that her health conditions necessitate a comfortable work environment where she can effectively manage her symptoms. Out of the 357 responses received by the BBC, a significant 250 individuals expressed that remote work is crucial for them, with many citing health-related reasons for their preference. Alba further elaborated on her situation, emphasizing that she does not aspire to hold a high-paying job or occupy a senior management position; rather, she simply wishes to avoid relying on sickness benefits, which could become a reality if she is unable to work from home. She recounted a distressing incident where her health issues led to an ambulance being called while she was at work. Clare McNeil, the director at Timewise, a consultancy that specializes in flexible working policies, highlighted the advantages of remote work for employers as well. She noted that such policies can lead to reduced staff turnover and lower rates of sickness absence. Mark Mortensen, an associate professor of organizational behavior at INSEAD, acknowledged the challenges in defining productivity, particularly in creative and collaborative roles. However, Rebecca Mitchell, a 38-year-old software engineer from London, shared her personal experience, stating that her productivity has seen a 'drastic' improvement since she began working from home a decade ago. Rebecca, who has ADHD, explained that the traditional office environment added significant stress, which negatively impacted her mental health. She expressed that before transitioning to remote work, she often felt overlooked for career advancement due to her disability. Since working from home, her salary has tripled, and she believes that society is beginning to accept neurodivergent conditions like autism and ADHD more than ever before. 'People like me rely on working from home in order to be a productive part of the workforce,' she asserted. The shift towards remote work has been particularly pronounced in the UK since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020. While the number of individuals working exclusively from home has decreased since 2021, a hybrid working model has emerged as the new norm for many. According to a recent survey, 25% of working adults in Great Britain were engaged in hybrid work as of January 2025, while 15% were working solely from home. This data reflects the locations where individuals reported working on the day they completed the survey, rather than their overall working patterns.