'It's on us' | PwC boss hits out at leaders for pandemic decision-making - is he right?

One of the most significant changes to the world of work as a result of the pandemic was the almost all-encompassing move away from the office to home working. And whilst it may have been the goal of many businesses to return to some semblance of normality as soon as possible when restrictions were lifted, workers have overwhelmingly voiced their intentions to retain the ability to work from home.

In fact, despite the likes of Chancellor Rishi Sunak imploring workers to once again return to central places of work, only 11.7% of respondents to a recent Future Strategy Club report stated that they were in the office at the end of July. In fact, 57% of workers still do not want to return to their previous working routine, 58% want flexibility in their current role, and 43% agree that this is now the most important factor when choosing a job.

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‘It’s our responsibility as employers’

Yet the prospect of continued remote working has rendered some senior executives incensed by the concept of being met with resistance in back-to-office initiatives. For example, this week Kevin Ellis, Chairman of PwC in Britain, a company that employs 22,000 people, accused bosses of bending to the will of workers. Ellis said employers have a responsibility to get their staff back into offices.