82% workforce may return to office in 12-18 months

Gurugram: An estimated 82 per cent of the workforce are likely to return to their offices in 12-18 months despite Covid-19 bringing some changes in attitude towards remote working, according to a global survey on Wednesday.

In preparation for a return, companies are investing in new resources to support a hybrid remote / in-office workforce, with 56 per cent increasing technology budgets and 34 per cent planning to speed their digital transformation as a result of Covid-19, said the survey by workplace technology company Xerox Holdings Corp. "While there is no doubt the Covid-19 pandemic has changed the way we work, our research found that over time many companies plan to have most employees back in an office environment," Steve Bandrowczak, Xerox President and Chief Operations Officer, said in a statement.

"This could be for a variety of reasons, including communication, speed of decision-making and talent development."

The "Xerox Future of Work Survey" polled 600 IT decision-makers including senior C-level professionals, whose organisations have at least 500 employees.