New Report Delves Into Hybrid Workers’ Concerns About Energy Efficiency In The Workplace
Wednesday, 19th November 2022
Nearly three-quarters of hybrid workers in the US (74%) and seven in ten (70%) in the UK are concerned about the impact of the energy crisis on the costs of working from home. And the worries don't stop at home, with over half of UK hybrid workers (55%) expressing concerns about the energy efficiency in their place of work, rising to nearly 3 in 4 (71%) in the US.
This week, we published new research on hybrid worker attitudes about energy efficiency in the workplace, in a report entitled Energy Management and the Workplace of the Future: Why We Need An Efficiency Revolution. Based on a survey of more than 4,000 respondents in the US and UK, the study reveals that hybrid workers are not just worried about the impact of rising energy costs on their home lives, they are also highly aware and concerned about energy efficiency and the sustainability practices in their places of work.
Many people are choosing to use facilities outside their home (such as showers at the gym) and to spend longer in the workplace. 37% of US employees say they have increased the use of facilities away from home. 34% say they spend longer at work due to recent high temperatures and lack of air conditioning at home.
In the UK however, 27% of employees say it’s still cheaper for them to work from home, due to the significant rise in fuel prices impacting the cost of commuting. Although, as the UK enters the winter season, 23% plan to increase the amount of time in the workplace to help cut down on energy use and bills at home.
It’s clear that rising wholesale energy prices—increasing tenfold over the last 18 months—are affecting households and businesses alike. In addition to the general “cost of living” crisis, experts are now talking of a “cost of doing business” crisis too.
Commenting on the findings, Ross Sheil, Senior Vice President at Infogrid, says: “If you want to tackle a problem, you must first understand what you’re dealing with. The findings in our new report show us that external factors, such as the energy crisis and its effect on people’s personal financial situations, have a very real impact on how employees use their workspaces. Energy prices skyrocketing mean that some of us will spend more time in the workplace to keep costs at home down, while others will work from home more often, because commuting costs are also on the rise. And with more than half of employees showing concern about the efficiency and sustainability of their work environments, it’s never been more important to have real-time insight into how spaces are being used, in order to tailor energy management accordingly.”
'Energy Management and the Workplace of the Future: Why We Need An Efficiency Revolution' reveals four key insights:
The majority of employees are worried about the impact of the energy crisis on the cost of working from home.
Most employees are also concerned about the energy efficiency of their workplace.
A significant proportion of employees don’t think that their company is doing enough to reduce its environmental impact.
Many employees think that the primary responsibility to cut greenhouse gas emissions lies with those that run and manage the building, with governments having a role to play as well.
We've come to a crossroads when it comes to how we manage energy. Energy costs are rising, and uncertainty for businesses and buildings is growing. It's time for an efficiency revolution.
Click here to download the full report.
