Latest news with #workfromhome
Telegraph
a day ago
- Business
- Telegraph
‘I spent £18k on a garden room and now I regret it'
There was a time, not so long ago, that a garden room was top of everyone's wish list. The country was in the midst of Covid lockdowns and many people thought they'd be working from home indefinitely, so putting an office in the backyard seemed like the perfect solution. But for some, these garden additions are a source of regret. Olivia Smith* is one of them. Soon after the last lockdown ended in July 2021, she spent £18,000 building an office in her garden. 'I work fully from home and my husband got a new job which meant he'd also be working from home more, so I thought a garden office would be the answer to my prayers,' says Smith, who runs her own communications business. 'It felt like a really big investment but I thought it would pay dividends over the years. I spent a long time interior designing it beautifully – it has fabric on the ceiling and a gorgeous rug. However, I soon came to regret putting it in.' A big problem was that Smith, who lives in Berkshire, couldn't get the Wi-Fi to work properly in her garden office. As well as that, the basic structure – which has one electric heater, was too hot in summer and too cold in winter, when she'd have to trudge across the garden in the mud. 'In winter, the room is really cold and you have to put the heater on before you go in there. Also, it sounds silly, but my dogs never settled in the garden room – they would keep going back and forth to the kitchen and disturbing me,' Smith says. 'In the end, I hated taking my laptop across the garden in the rain because it would get wet. I found it easier to plonk myself in the kitchen to work, closer to the coffee machine.' Call in the rubbish removers Up and down the land garden offices are now gathering dust or are glorified dumping grounds, being used only for storage. Gareth Lloyd Jones, of Hippo, a rubbish removal firm, says they have been called out to remove 'countless' piles of waste from unused garden rooms since the pandemic. 'This includes the dismantled building itself, unwanted home office furniture or just general clutter that's accumulated in the space as it's no longer serving its primary purpose,' he explains. 'We've seen a significant increase in these types of clearances in the past few years and it's a real shame because many of the items and materials being disposed of are actually still in great condition.' Garden rooms have also caused discord between neighbours – users of the online forum Mumsnet have complained about the noises, such as a television, blaring out from garden structures erected close to their boundary. 'Last week, I sat out having lunch to the soundtrack of a football match and commentary,' one post laments. Another reads: 'There seems to be a trend for people turning their gardens into another 'room' in their home, outdoor bars, TV rooms, etc. But there was a reason those things were in houses. They contain the noise and maintain privacy for all!' A badly designed garden room can even make it harder to sell a house. 'Outdoor structures without heating, insulation or a clear use are now gathering cobwebs and delivery boxes – they're now more like an expensive bike shed than a home office,' says Georgie Bolton, a buying adviser at Property Vision. 'In some cases, we've even seen a negative impact on buyers, who factor in the cost of removal or renovation. Buyers are increasingly sceptical of the garden room Covid trend, so function and design are key. If it looks like a lockdown relic, it probably is.' Many garden offices have become redundant because employees are increasingly expected to be back in the workplace several days a week, especially if they work for larger companies. For that reason, demand from buyers and renters for a home office has plummeted. 'Today's property seekers are definitely more focused on prioritising a more urban location to minimise the length of their commute to work,' says Marco Previero, of the relocation company R3Location. Also, as Smith found, many of these hastily erected garden offices are not really set up for the British weather and are costlier to run than homeowners expected. Charlie Warner, of the buying agency Heaton & Partners, says: 'Homeowners often use easy-to-install but expensive to run systems like electric heating to keep the rooms comfortable, and for occasional usage it simply isn't worth it for many people.' Garden rooms can and do work successfully, however. Nina Harrison, of the buying agency Haringtons UK, says: 'From Victorian follies to sun-dappled summer houses, the idea of escaping into a space just a few steps from the main house has always held a certain magic. When done properly, a garden room can be a flexible, future-proof extension of the home, especially somewhere like London, where every square inch of living space counts.' Alex Smith, of the 3D architectural rendering service says good design is key. 'I always suggest clients picture how they will use the space across different seasons and scenarios, and think about storage, heating and access,' he says. And size and location matter – it's crucial that the space is in proportion to the plot and doesn't cannibalise too much of the garden. Geoff Wilford, of Wilfords London estate agency, says. 'Families, especially those with young children, often prioritise outdoor space where kids can run around, kick a ball, or simply be outside. If a garden room is too large or poorly positioned, it can eat into that valuable space and put buyers off.' 'We don't regret the investment' Parikshat Chawla, of Chestertons estate agency, put an office in the garden of his East Sussex home during the pandemic. 'The idea of working closer to nature on good weather days was appealing and, while it worked some of the time, we ran into challenges with internet speed and mobile coverage, which meant occasionally retreating to the main house for video calls,' he says. These days, he uses the space for storage – it holds a rowing machine and a bicycle, both of which still get used. 'Despite the change in use, we don't regret the investment and would absolutely do it again, with some tweaks, such as better connectivity and smarter, more ergonomic furniture,' Chawla says. 'There's something uniquely refreshing about working surrounded by greenery. It's not ideal for year-round use, but as a flexible workspace for part of the year, it remains a valuable addition.' Increasing numbers of garden offices are now being used for play instead of work. Harrison has seen them successfully turned into home gyms, while others have been transformed into granny annexes – although the last requires plumbing, wiring and heating, which comes at a cost. James Greenwood, of Stacks Property Search, has seen garden offices become yoga spaces and art studios. For now, Smith is keeping her redundant garden office – she hopes it will come into its own when her young son hits his teens. 'I thought about changing it into a sauna but, when I looked into it, I found that would be more expensive than buying a sauna from scratch,' she says. 'I have come to the conclusion that it will be a good teenage den.' And while most people regret a garden office they don't use enough, there are those who rue the garden rooms that are too enticing to leave. Robin Edwards, of Curetons buying agency, recently went to see a family house in south-west London that had an amazing garden room built during the pandemic so that the City trader husband could have a peaceful space to work. 'No expense had been spared and it was fully insulated with underfloor heating, a shower room, a kitchenette and a pull-out sofa bed, as well as a hi-tech office,' Edwards says. 'Unfortunately, the husband enjoyed the separate space a bit too much and the couple's marriage hit the rocks during lockdown. He is now living in it while they finalise their divorce and sell their home.'
News.com.au
2 days ago
- Business
- News.com.au
Burnout, underinvestment to blame for productivity slump, not working from home: Aussie academic
Overwork, burnout and underinvestment are the cause of falling productivity, not working from home, a workplace expert and academic says. A major report released this week by the Productivity Commission has found working from home at least some of the time is more productive than being in the office full-time. Multinational companies are mostly pulling the rank and file workers back into offices, while government agencies and academics work to assess the effectiveness of the pandemic-era work from home shift. 'There's no evidence to suggest working from home is the root cause of these recent productivity challenges, which have been going since long before most people were working from home,' Swinburne University workplace expert  John Hopkins said. 'Overwork, burnout, underinvestment, outdated processes, and cost of living pressures are likely factors behind poor productivity.' During the federal election campaign, the Coalition quickly-abandoned a proposal for public servants to be back in offices five days a week. The architect of that failed policy, Liberal Senator Jane Hume, said in the lead-up to the election: 'It will be an expectation of a Dutton Liberal government that all members of the (Australian Public Service) work from the office five days a week. But the proposal was so despised it was abandoned mid-campaign, and Senator Hume has since been dumped from Opposition Leader Sussan Ley's newly-minted shadow cabinet. Released on Thursday, the Productivity Commission report finds arrangements where staff work from both the office and at home tend to benefit both productivity and job satisfaction. 'Allowing workers to work from home some days can improve worker satisfaction and allows people to benefit by avoiding the commute to work, meaning they have additional time for other purposes,' the commission finds. Working from home reduces sick days, breaks and distractions 'all of which are typically found to be beneficial for productivity', it says in the report. About 36 per cent of working Australians regularly do a shift from home; a tripling since before the pandemic. Working from home is markedly better for women, the Productivity Commission finds, however younger workers miss out on face-to-face learning. The report points to falling business investment as the reason national productivity fell by 1.2 per cent in 2024.
News.com.au
2 days ago
- Business
- News.com.au
DV Helpline staff question end to WFH in NSW after Premier's message
The NSW Department of Criminal Justice will be brought before the Industrial Relations Commission after domestic violence and helpline staff pushed back against a return to work mandate. The Public Service Association (PSA) raised a dispute with the DCJ regarding the department's expectation that call-centre staff return to the office 'principally' or 50 per cent of the time. The mandate would mean staff, including those dealing with DV victims and child protection services, would need to attend the Liverpool or regional office for at least 50 per cent of their shifts. The PSA said the policy came in response to a circular from Premier Chris Minns last year that, while not specifically calling for an end to working from home, said it should not be 'taken for granted'. 'The circular does not strictly prescribe patterns of attendance and allows for ad hoc variations for the needs of employees and organisations,' the PSA said in a statement on Friday morning. 'As per the dispute resolution process, we met with DCJ and asked for feedback as to why they would not consider you for an ad hoc exemption. They have not provided any formal response yet.' Due to a lack of response, the service workers union is now seeking 'the assistance' of the state's Industrial Relations Commission, with the first conciliation meeting held on Wednesday. The PSA said it sought to understand the 'specific operation grounds' the DCJ was using to 'deny the ad hoc exemption', with a further hearing on June 17. 'Yet there have been no operational requirements provided, other than simply the Premier's circular,' the PSA said. 'Your delegates and the PSA do not believe there is any valid operational requirement for an increase in office attendance, as the work you perform has been structured around remote working for the past four years or longer. 'You work in the same manner in the office, as you do from home, with the same processes, practices, and structures.' A meeting between the union and helpline and DV line members is slated for June 2. An end to Covid-era work-from-home arrangements and mandated return to the office has been a significant sticking point in both the private and government sectors in recent years. In his circular, Mr Minns noted the usefulness of WFH arrangements in 'attracting and retaining talented people' since 2019 but said there were 'many ways' to achieve flexible work arrangements. Mr Minns said WFH arrangements were not available to all government employees, and the starting position is that those staff 'work principally in an approved workplace in NSW'. 'Arrangements to work from home on some occasions must take into consideration the wider needs of departments, agencies, the community and stakeholders,' the August circular stated. Mr Minns' opposition to WFH caused friction during the election. The state premier told reporters during the campaign that Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was dealing with different circumstances in his opposition of the Liberals' plan to end WFH for public servants. A report earlier this month found staff at NSW Treasury were in the office only about half the time, or about 2.5 days per week, increasing from an average of 1.7 days per week in July 2024.
Health Line
3 days ago
- General
- Health Line
9 Essentials for a Home Office Space That Puts You in the Working Mood
Key takeaways If you work from home, creating a dedicated work space is a must. Don't just gut it out from your couch or kitchen table. Moderately priced buys like a foot rest, greenery, and natural light go a long way. We're team standing desk and share our favorite pick below. Working from home is a whole vibe. I confess, for better or worse, I'm a proud millennial, 'I just wanna work in leggings and set my own hours,' pre-pandemic remote work aficanado. Stereotypes aside, there is an art to working so close to so many distractions — laundry, dishes, 'Friends' reruns, pieces of mail that each represent one more thing on my personal to-do list. I first started working from home in 2016, and 9 years later, I rarely actually wear leggings all day. I have come to appreciate a series of other essentials that have helped me create space to work where I also live and play. Here's what I've learned.
Forbes
3 days ago
- Business
- Forbes
9 Fully Remote Jobs Hiring Now That Pay Up To $249,000 In 2025
The most popular remote jobs right now are in tech, finance, and healthcare Finding a fully remote job is becoming a real challenge in 2025. More companies are adopting a hybrid stance or opting for some form of in-person flexibility. The year kicked off with federal workers being mandated to work fully from the office, while workers at companies like Amazon and Dell saw a full-on five-days-a-week commute to work. As a job-seeker, it can be disheartening especially if your circumstances do not permit you to work from the office at all, making remote work not just a nice-to-have, but an actual necessity. Thankfully, recent research from FlexJobs confirms that there are three industries which have witnessed a strong hiring surge in fully remote jobs--yes, that literally means work from home in every sense of the word. These industries were identified through analyzing 60 career categories and more than 60,000 employers in the FlexJobs database, from January to April 2025. Quick observation: Most of the roles listed pay in the region of $80,000 and up, and one of them pays as much as $249,000 annually. The two lowest-paying roles cited below are therapist and accountant. But there's even more good news. FlexJobs research reveals that computer and IT remote jobs maintained the same hiring pace as before, with no signs of slowing down, as it continues to 'show some of the highest shares of fully remote work opportunities. Additionally, remote finance and healthcare job listings grew by 13% and 10%, respectively, while fully remote job opportunities grew by 10%' their findings, shared via email, states. To help increase your chances of success, here are some tips when applying for each of these remote-friendly industries: For tech-related work-from-home roles, be sure to highlight your 'soft' skills, also known as power skills or human skills, because they're just as essential to your career and job search success as are technical or hard skills. Highlight competencies such as asynchronous communication skills, your ability to translate complex concepts and relay ideas and progress to non-technical stakeholders, and critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Also remember to show what you're capable of, not just tell. Your resume can only display so much of your wealth of expertise, so you need to use digital platforms to bring your resume to life. You do this through creating an online portfolio of apps developed and regularly posting updates sharing your knowledge, thought leadership, and step-by-step guides (which you can even make money from) on platforms like LinkedIn and YouTube. If applying for a remote position withing the financial industry, be sure to highlight your experience providing virtual advice or collaborating with teams while working remotely. Also be sure to point out any training, experience, and recent certifications you have with finance and accounting tools and software, including proficiency level or how many years you've acquired working knowledge. Also don't forget to quantify your wins and include metrics that show off just how exceptional of a candidate you are. One of the biggest boosts to remote work within the medical sector is the rise in popularity of telehealth technology. 'This trend is largely driven by technological advancements, particularly in telehealth, which has enabled healthcare organizations to scale remote service offerings like never before," says John Mullinix, director of growth marketing at Ladders (a job board for high-paying roles over $100,000). 'Mental health, primary care, and even some nurse practitioner roles have seen significant remote expansion, making high-paying medical jobs more accessible outside traditional clinical settings,' he commented. So when you're looking for remote jobs within healthcare, be sure that you emphasize your experience and hands-on knowledge of using HIPAA-compliant platforms, and any extra relevant training you may have undertaken to boost your resume, such as the Certificate in Telehealth Practice from the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (this course is so popular that there is currently a waiting list to join). If you know where to look and can tangibly speak directly to their business needs, you'll find it much easier to secure remote work. Companies are hiring right now, predominantly in tech, finance, and healthcare. These are the most popular industries for work-from-home opportunities currently, and that means you might need to consider shifting your job search strategy and making a slight career rebranding, or even a career pivot if remote work is very high of a priority to you. To stand out when applying for remote jobs, focus on your digital presence, upskilling, and ... More competency with remote collaboration Go ahead and update your resume, refresh your digital presence, and start showing up in a way that aligns you for remote jobs and positions you as a digitally-savvy candidate.
