Working from home gains popularity in EA

Flexible workspaces are gaining popularity across East Africa as employers begin to realise higher productivity from workers due to reduced commute time. According to the latest survey by Regus, the world’s largest provider of flexible workspaces, more than 52 per cent of workers across East Africa are now working away from their physical office desks several days a week.

Respondents said working from other locations has helped them reduce the overall time spent commuting, enabling them choose workstations near their residencies. The study revealed that 49 per cent of employees would work harder when they reduce commute time, boosting productivity.

“If businesses were to extend flexible working practices for their staff, not only would employee health, morale and loyalty improve, but also overall productivity as staff would work more,” reads the report. An earlier Regus research revealed that globally, 72 per cent of companies had experienced increased productivity directly as a result of flexible working practices. “The benefits of flexible working are twofold, on the one hand workers are more relaxed and healthy and on the other they are also more productive benefitting the business too,” said Joanne Bushell, the firm’s regional Vice-President.