Arab Press

بالشعب و للشعب
Sunday, Mar 15, 2026

Top 20 things Brits will miss when office life returns from sleep to housework

Top 20 things Brits will miss when office life returns from sleep to housework

Many people have been working from home for over a year and the kick-backs include lovely lie ins, no commute and listening to music and watching TV in bed as they work

Employed Brits are 'nervous' about leaving their home comforts behind when they return to the workplace - and will miss getting up later and working in their pyjamas.

Research of 1,060 adults, who have worked from home during the pandemic, found 77 per cent believe spending more time at home has been one of the positives of lockdown.

But this means 63 per cent are not looking forward to leaving this behind once restrictions ease.

The thought of having to commute, and get up earlier, has 42 per cent feeling anxious about being away from their homes and returning to 'normality'.

Others are also going to miss being at home for package deliveries.

To fill the void, the research commissioned by Hotpoint, found 21 per cent are considering taking items with them to remind them of being at home.

The daily commute is high up on most people's list


These include mugs, plates or cutlery, their favourite coffee or even their child's toy.

Jo Hemmings, behavioural psychologist, said: "Unlike Separation Anxiety Disorder, where adults experience high levels of anxiety when they're away from loved ones - Home Separation Anxiety is related to the nervousness around being away from home comforts.

"In other words, we're seeing a rise of FOGO - a fear of going out - now that we're edging closer to normality.

"Brits have cultivated a sense of 'homeliness'; and now that we're going to be spending less time in our homes and compromising that feeling of being safe and secure, it is even more important that we make sure that the time we do spend there is relaxing and of good quality."

The study also found that those polled expect to return to their workplace once restrictions are eased, with 63 per cent planning to split their time between their and home.

Perks like being in for deliveries will be missed by millions


But 31 per cent expect to return full time, according to the research via OnePoll.

While 58 per cent look forward to a return, 42 per cent aren't so keen, with 84 per cent saying they will miss working from home full time.

Nearly two thirds – 65 per cent – would now describe themselves as a homebody - preferring the pleasures and activities that centre around the home.

More than four in 10, 44 per cent, are now more appreciative of their home compared to before the lockdown, while 43 per cent are more attached to their belongings.

It also emerged 45 per cent felt their job's enjoyment levels remained the same whether at work or at home, but 39 per cent found it more enjoyable being based in their own surroundings.

The commute, being around lots of people and losing the ability to appreciate the little things like lunchtime walks, were the things that made employees most nervous about a return.

Keeping on top of cleaning so it doesn't pile up, getting in a good routine, fitting in exercise and walks and keeping on track with the laundry, were the biggest everyday accomplishments from working at home.

And nearly one in five (18 per cent) have bought more home appliances during this time as a third increased the number of times they've had to use their washing machine.

New loungewear and bedsheets were also among the home comforts Brits have invested more into during the last 12 months.

Kimberley Garner, brand manager for Hotpoint, said, "One of the pros we can take from the pandemic is that Brits have built a real attachment to their homes and their belongings, investing more in new appliances than before the pandemic to take better care of precious items."

TOP 20 THINGS HOME WORKERS WILL MISS UPON THEIR RETURN TO THE WORKPLACE


1. Not having to commute
2. Getting up later
3. Being at home for package deliveries
4. Being able to work in comfy clothes (e.g. jogging bottoms, slippers)
5. Being able to be flexible with meal prep / when they want to eat
6. Being able to do housework during the day
7. A quieter environment to get more done
8. That feeling of home
9. Not having to share a loo with colleagues
10. Being able to listen to their favourite music while working
11. Being able to work under little or no supervision
12. Being around their pets as much
13. Not having to wear make-up
14. Being able to go online and look at non-work things
15. Being able to work in their pyjamas
16. Being able to cosy up with a blanket between meetings
17. Being around their children as much
18. Clean hand towels
19. Being able to have naps during the day
20. Being able to work from their bed

Newsletter

Related Articles

Arab Press
0:00
0:00
Close
Saudi Arabia Declares 2026 ‘Year of Artificial Intelligence’ in Major Push for Data-Driven Economy
Saudi Arabia’s 2018 Budget Signals Strong Push for Non-Oil Economic Growth
Pakistan Envoy in Riyadh Says Regional Diplomacy Intensifying to Prevent Wider Middle East War
Saudi Arabia Intercepts Dozens of Drones as Regional Strikes Kill Two in Oman
Saudi Arabia Redirects Oil Exports to Red Sea Ports as Strait of Hormuz Tensions Escalate
Saudi Arabia Intercepts Missile and Drone Barrage as Regional Conflict Intensifies
Iran Expands Drone and Missile Campaign Across Gulf as Conflict With US and Israel Intensifies
Muslims Worldwide Await Saudi Moon Sighting to Confirm Eid al-Fitr 2026 Date
F1 Calendar Faces Major Disruption as Middle East Conflict Threatens Bahrain and Saudi Races
Trump Says Most US Aircraft Hit in Saudi Base Attack Suffered Minimal Damage
Trump Says Most US Aircraft Hit in Saudi Base Attack Suffered Minimal Damage
Strait of Hormuz Crisis Forces Saudi Arabia Into Major Oil Production Shut-In
Strait of Hormuz Crisis Forces Saudi Arabia Into Major Oil Production Shut-In
Saudi Arabia Slashes Oil Output as Strait of Hormuz Crisis Cuts Deep Into Gulf Revenues
Saudi Arabia’s Cultural Scene Presses Ahead as Nation Navigates Regional War
Saudi-Pakistan Defence Pact Faces Real-World Constraints as Iran War Escalates
Saudi Arabia Offers Two Million Barrels of Crude From Red Sea as War Disrupts Gulf Exports
Formula One Faces Tens of Millions in Lost Revenue if Bahrain and Saudi Arabia Races Are Cancelled
Formula One Set to Cancel Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix Amid Escalating Middle East War
Saudi Arabia Downs Dozens of Iranian Drones in Major Defensive Operation
Saudi Arabia Cuts Oil Output by About Twenty Percent as Iran War Disrupts Gulf Energy Flows
Formula One Set to Cancel Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix Amid Escalating Iran War
Asian Energy Security Tested as Strait of Hormuz Disruption Threatens Oil Supplies
Iran Sets Three Conditions for Ending Regional War as Diplomatic Efforts Intensify
Saudi Arabia Launches Royal Institute of Anthropology to Examine Social Transformation
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif Arrives in Saudi Arabia for High-Level Talks
Saudi Aramco Turns to Ukrainian Drone Interceptors to Shield Oil Infrastructure from Iranian Threats
UK Foreign Secretary Travels to Saudi Arabia to Reinforce Support for Regional Allies
Rising Iran Conflict Casts Shadow Over Saudi Arabia’s $38 Billion Gaming Industry Ambitions
Iran Launches Missile and Drone Strikes Across Gulf as Oil Prices Surge Past $100
Saudi Air Defences Destroy Three Drones Targeting Strategic Shaybah Oil Field
Debate Grows Over Saudi Arabia’s Role in Sudan War Amid US Alliance Questions
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Travels to Saudi Arabia After Discussions With Iranian Leadership
Two Strategic Pipelines Allow Saudi Arabia and the UAE to Bypass the Strait of Hormuz
US Deploys Bunker-Buster Bombs to UK Airbase as Iran Conflict Intensifies
Iran warns of $200 oil as forces target merchant ships in Gulf
Japan to Release 45 Days of Oil Reserves Amid Iran Conflict
Three Commercial Vessels Attacked Near Strait of Hormuz, Thai-Flagged Ship Damaged and Crew Evacuated
Saudi Red Sea Oil Exports Set for Record in March as Kingdom Reroutes Crude Amid Hormuz Crisis
Saudi Arabia Seeks Belgian Military Support After Iranian Missile Attacks
Saudi Arabia Welcomes US Decision to Designate Sudan’s Muslim Brotherhood as Terrorist Organisation
Saudi Aramco Plans Dual Gulf and Red Sea Export Routes as Iran Crisis Disrupts Oil Shipments
Saudi Cabinet Condemns Iranian Attacks and Reaffirms Kingdom’s Right to Defend Its Sovereignty
Ukraine Deploys Counter-Drone Teams to Gulf States as Iranian Drone Threat Expands
Bahrain Grand Prix Faces Uncertainty as Saudi Arabia Works to Keep Formula One Race on Track
Saudi Arabia Faces New Strategic Dilemma in Yemen as Regional War Reshapes Calculations
OPEC Confirms Saudi-Led Oil Output Increase as Iran War Disrupts Global Energy Markets
Pakistan Pledges Rapid Support for Saudi Arabia Amid Escalating Middle East Tensions
Global Energy Agency Announces Record Release of 400 Million Barrels to Stabilize Oil Markets Amid Hormuz Disruption
Aramco Warns Global Oil Market Faces ‘Catastrophic’ Shock if Strait of Hormuz Remains Closed
×