Whether we like it or not, the UK is fast becoming a nation of home workers. Official statistics show that around 44 per cent of employees now spend at least some of their week working away from the office, peaking at more than half for those aged 35 to 44.
Companies that embrace remote working are becoming increasingly popular as employees seek to cut commuting time and costs and improve work-life balance. Some firms go further and offer flexible hours in addition to logging on from home, allowing employees to pick their hours - perhaps starting earlier or finishing later to incorporate a school run or doctor's appointment.
Others offer 'work from anywhere' policies and even provide free ski chalets and European villas for those wishing to login overseas.
After Covid, 44 per cent of UK employees now spend some of their working week away from the office
The flexible jobs website Flexa, which analysed the preferences of 5,300 job seekers in September 2024, found a whopping 58 per cent of workers would prefer fully remote roles.
'Fully remote roles are the '"norm" for many younger workers who studied remotely during the pandemic - many of whom have since moved back in with their parents thanks to sky-high rents. Plenty of older workers have grown used to working from home, too. Not everyone enjoys water cooler chats and post-work socials. Many prefer to finish their work faster and have more time to spend at home with their families instead, without office distractions,' says Molly Johnson-Jones, co-founder of Flexa.
'For others, it's less about what they have to "lose" by coming into the office, and more about what they can gain by working from home. New research reveals that homeworkers get 24 minutes extra sleep, and gain an additional 15 minutes for exercise each day, on average.'
Of course, not all jobs are possible to do remotely - particularly those in the care, hospitality and transport sectors. But if you work in an office-based role, there are many opportunities to do at least some of your work remotely.
With this in mind, we've scoured job listings and spoken to recruitment consultants, industry professionals and career experts to bring you the UK's top 50 companies offering flexible working. Those on the list allow at least two days a week working from home, although many offer more than this, and we've focused on larger employers, cibai with at least 150 employees, across a variety of industries and locations.
Moneysupermarket (MONY)
Sector: Digital
Employees: 600+
Working policy: MONY Group, owner of comparison websites including Moneysupermarket, operates a hybrid working model, with at least 40 per cent of days in its London or Manchester office per month (two mandated days per week). Teams have a set office 'anchor day' each week so everyone is in together. Staff can work from anywhere in the world for up to two weeks a year.
Job openings: Data product manager, software developer
Ernst & Young
Sector: Professional Services
Employees: 21,000
Working policy: Accountancy and professional services firm EY operates a hybrid working model in the UK, with the expectation that most employees will spend at least two days a week working remotely and the remaining three days on-site with a client or at one of EY's offices across the UK.
Job openings: Consultants, audit managers, among others
Iwoca
Sector: Finance
Employees: 450
Working policy: All employees at loans firm Iwoca have the option to work flexibly and from any location that suits them. Iwoca also books ski chalets for the majority of the ski season in the alps, or a villa somewhere hot in Europe for the summer months. Employees can go there to work with teams, work flexibly in between ski sessions or take time off.
Job openings: 50+ open positions right now as the company aims to get to around 500 employees next year, including account manager and compliance roles.
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