London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Saturday, Mar 14, 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

0:00
0:00
Close
Middle East War Highlights Strategic Importance of Strong UK–Ireland Cooperation
Weak Growth Signals UK Economy Was Faltering Even Before Middle East Energy Shock
Marks & Spencer Tops UK Fashion Retail Rankings as Most Considered Brand
United States Launches Trade Investigation Into Allies Over Forced Labour Practices
United States Launches Trade Investigation Into Allies Over Forced Labour Practices
Russia Accuses Britain Over Storm Shadow Strike as London Reaffirms Ukraine’s Right to Self-Defence
Russia Accuses Britain Over Storm Shadow Strike as London Reaffirms Ukraine’s Right to Self-Defence
Royal Navy to Acquire Twenty Uncrewed Surface Vessels for Autonomous Warfare Testing
Russia Summons British and French Envoys After Ukrainian Storm Shadow Strike on Strategic Facility
Starmer Confirms Britain Will Maintain Sanctions on Russia Despite U.S. Policy Shift
UK Moves to Refine AI Definition in Investment Security Reform
UK Economy Stalls in January as Growth Unexpectedly Falls to Zero
Asian Energy Security Tested as Strait of Hormuz Disruption Threatens Oil Supplies
Iran Sets Three Conditions for Ending Regional War as Diplomatic Efforts Intensify
Tesla Secures Approval to Supply Electricity Directly to Homes Across Britain
Prince William Delivers Tribute to Australia’s Naval Alliance Amid Renewed Royal Spotlight on the Country
UK Foreign Secretary Travels to Saudi Arabia to Reinforce Support for Regional Allies
Putin’s ‘Hidden Hand’ May Be Assisting Iran in Conflict With Trump, UK Defence Secretary Warns
UK Sets April Deadline for Tech Platforms to Strengthen Online Protections for Children
Elon Musk Moves Into Britain’s Energy Market as Tesla Wins Licence to Supply Power
UK Watchdog Warns Fuel Retailers Against Profiteering Amid Iran War Price Surge
Report Claims Iran Used UK Charity Network to Expand Influence
United States and United Kingdom Establish Joint Standards for Counter-Drone Technology
Iran May Be Laying Naval Mines in Strait of Hormuz, UK Warns Amid Escalating Gulf Tensions
US Deploys Bunker-Buster Bombs to UK Airbase as Iran Conflict Intensifies
British Troops in Iraq Intercept Iranian Drones Targeting Coalition Base
Release of Mandelson Files Raises Tensions as UK Seeks Stable Relations With Donald Trump
UK Documents Reveal Starmer Was Warned About Mandelson’s Epstein Links Before Ambassador Appointment
Nearly Five Hundred UK Mortgage Deals Withdrawn in Two Days as Market Volatility Forces Lenders to Reprice
Three Cargo Ships Hit Near Iran as Attacks Spread to Strategic Strait of Hormuz
Why British Police Repeatedly Declined to Investigate Jeffrey Epstein’s UK Links
UK Parliament Ends Hereditary Seats in House of Lords, Closing Chapter on Centuries of Aristocratic Lawmaking
EU and UK Urge Israel to Act Against Rising West Bank Settler Violence Amid Regional Tensions
US Senator John Kennedy Says Keir Starmer Should Not Be Trusted for Military Advice Amid Iran War Debate
UK High Court Rejects Attempt to Revive Terrorism Charge Against Kneecap Rapper
Revolut Secures Full UK Banking Licence After Multi-Year Regulatory Wait
Kentucky’s Bench Boost Powers Wildcats Past LSU in SEC Tournament Opener
British Couple Die After Being Pulled From Water at Australian Beach During Family Visit
Global Energy Agency Announces Record Release of 400 Million Barrels to Stabilize Oil Markets Amid Hormuz Disruption
British Airways Suspends UK Repatriation Flights as Middle East Travel Disruption Deepens
US Forces Prepare Ordnance at RAF Fairford as Strategic Bombers Deploy for Middle East Operations
Nigel Farage Faces Criticism After Saying Britain Should Stay Out of Iran War
Landmark UK Trial Begins Over Sony’s PlayStation Store Pricing
UK High Court Rejects Bid to Challenge Britain’s Chagos Islands Agreement With Mauritius
Finnish Duo Triumphs in England’s Annual Wife-Carrying Race, Winning a Barrel of Ale
How U.S. and UK National Security Strategies Are Reshaping the Global Business Landscape
Green Party Gains Momentum as Labour Shifts Toward the Political Centre
Royal Navy Destroyer HMS Dragon Sets Sail for Eastern Mediterranean as Regional Tensions Rise
UK Homebuilder Persimmon Warns Iran Conflict Could Dent Property Buyer Confidence
Roman Abramovich Signals Legal Fight if UK Seeks to Seize Chelsea Sale Funds
×