Many workforces such as Boots and JD Sports have announced that employees must return to full-time office work, however, with the increase in the cost of living, the switch back to full-time office work is proving to be a concern for many.

With this in mind, a new study has looked into the true cost of working from home vs five days in the office. 

Based on the cost of commuting versus the expenses accrued while working from home, such as WiFi, electricity and water – even down to the cost of boiling the kettle on a tea break – the results are in…

Remote vs office working – the costs

Bionic’s study highlights the financial strain returning to the office can create  – let’s break down the findings…

What is the cost of working from home?

• • The average day of working from home costs £9.41 a day, amounting to £47.07 per week. 
  • Running a home office can cost approximately £41.28 per week in energy bills, due to running a desktop computer, WiFi and even boiling a kettle and washing dishes.  
  • Working from home can add £3.88 a week to your water bills.

• Bionic’s research discovered that WiFi usage solely attributed to work costs Brits £91.68 a year.

• • The study found that, on average, commuting to the office costs £19.10 per day in the UK, so when working from home Brits can save £9.69 per day. 

• With approximately 252 working days a year for full-time employees (after deducting public holidays), switching from full-time working in the office to full-time remote working can save workers up to £2441.88 annually.

However, Bionic’s research also found that in some cities (Bristol, Cambridge, Brighton and Birmingham), low commute costs mean that you would actually save money working from the office, rather than working from home. 

Business expert explains the benefits of hybrid working and finding the routine that works best for employees

Les Roberts, a Business Comparison Expert at Bionic comments on the benefits of hybrid working, and finding the routine that works best for you:

“Offering support for employees’ work-from-home expenses or commute can be a valuable benefit for many workers. But rolling this out company-wide may simply be too expensive for many employers due to the high costs of fuel, internet and energy bills. This is where hybrid working can strike a good balance for both parties.

“Employees can collaborate effectively, sharing knowledge and forming better relationships with colleagues when working in the office. They can also enjoy flexibility, time-saving, and reduced costs on certain days when they can work from their home. 

“Of course, it is an individual situation and what matters most is what works best for you and your employees. As an employer, you need to consider where people are at their most productive, happiest, and creating their best work. As an employee, you need to crunch the numbers for both WFH and commuting costs to know which is the most financially beneficial for you. 

“And don’t forget to factor in those costs that can be easily overlooked – like pet care, increased water bills, and higher home insurance costs – to make sure you’re not losing money in places you don’t realise.”

*Bionic