Lord Rose Critiques Remote Work as 'Not Proper Work'

Lord Rose, former head of Asda, Ocado, and Marks and Spencer, argues that remote working is detrimental to productivity and personal development, likening it to 'not proper work' and suggesting it has regressed the UK's economy by 20 years. His comments, aired on BBC's Panorama, reflect a growing sentiment among some business leaders and companies like Amazon and JP Morgan, who are urging employees to return to the office. Despite this, the UK government is pushing for legislation to expand flexible working rights, reflecting a cultural divide over remote work. Critics like Prof. Nicholas Bloom acknowledge some downsides to remote work but argue that hybrid models can be as effective as full-time office work. A recent ONS survey shows that hybrid working remains prevalent, with 26% of the workforce participating in such arrangements. The debate continues as companies and political entities wrestle with the implications of remote work on productivity and economic wellbeing.