‘Homework’ takes on a whole new meaning for UK workers

The home/office divide is disappearing according to new research by Post Office Home Insurance. Research reveals that 8.5m people (30% of UK workers) have used their home as a place to work from in the last 18 months.

Although many people admit to using their home for work only occasionally, for some this is a regular occurrence – 1.5m UK workers admit to regularly taking work home in the evenings because there simply isn’t enough time in the working day.

And it’s not just during the working week that people end up taking work home; 800,000 (10%) people who spent their holiday in the UK this year ended up working at home instead of relaxing and enjoying their time off.

The blurring of the line between home and office is just one example of how consumers have changed how they view their home since the global downturn took hold. Over a third of people (36%) are entertaining at home more while one in five (18%) holidayed at home rather than going away.

Given how much more time people are now spending in the home, it is important to check whether they are adequately insured against theft or damage. Latest figures by the Association of British Insurers (ABI) reveal that 24% of households in the UK are without home contents insurance. For those who are self-employed and dependent on their home as a full- time office this rises to a worrying 89% who, when questioned by the Post Office, didn’t believe they had insurance that would cover their home office and equipment.

Richard Pennant-Jones, Post Office head of general insurance said: “The way we are living and using our homes is changing. In many cases, time we would normally spend relaxing at home is now being spent working instead. Mobile phones, Blackberrys and the internet means it is easier than ever to work from home now.

“With more people using their homes for business purposes, in particular, the self-employed, it’s important to ensure the right insurance is in place. If you use your home as your office and it’s listed as your business premises, then you may need to take out extra insurance as your standard home contents policy may not cover you for all your office equipment. We recommend that people check with their provider to confirm what they are and are not covered for.”