Millions of office staff could be given the "default" right to work from home under plans reportedly being drawn up by government ministers.
Under the new proposals, employers would have to prove coming into the office was essential.
The government will consult on the plan over the summer with legislation later this year, according to reports. Businesses fear the move could hamper productivity, while transport links which rely on commuters could also suffer.
File photo dated 28/10/2020 of a closed pub in Hamilton, Lanarkshire. Pub, restaurant and bar sales plummeted by almost three quarters in December as escalating restrictions made it a %22dreadful%22 Christmas for hospitality firms, according to new figures.
Andrew Milligan
Almost half of working adults are spending at least some time working from home, according to a study by the Office for National Statistics earlier this year.
A recent survey shows around 85% of those currently home working hope to share at least some of their time working from home, a system known as "hybrid working".
Employment lawyer Gillian Howard praised the proposed working from home legislation.
She told Brazier and Muroki: "This is a very welcome development. Workplaces have changed over the decades or over the centuries. "I think this is an incredibly important proposal which I hope isn't dismissed as unworkable.
"Responding to a report from Politico suggesting working from home would continue long-term due to Covid-19, the prime minister’s official spokesman said: “These claims come from a document that we do not recognise and it does not reflect the latest Government thinking.
“We paused at Step 3 for up to four weeks due to the new Delta variant and we need to analyse and understand more data on this variant before any future plans are considered.”
85%
The percentage of people would like to work from home at least some of the week, according to a survey this weekPolitico's report suggested offices could be required to install ventilation systems, self-isolation measures would continue but perspex screens in workplaces could be scrapped as they are ineffective.
The Prime Minister’s spokesman said: “We are gathering further data on the Delta variant – issues such as how it relates to hospitalisation rates, for example, will all have an impact on what measures may or may not be needed following Step 4.”
There are “no current plans to legislate on ventilation standards” and guidance on perspex screens would remain unless the evidence showed it needs to change.
Annabel Denham, director of communications for the Institute of Economic Affairs, said of the proposals: "Government has no business meddling in a matter between employer and employee. This legislation could deliver unintended consequences – it's not hard to imagine companies forced to justify presenteeism or face the employment tribunal.
"This is a classic case of legislators thinking they know what is best for others, without bothering to ask them. Some surveys suggest it is employees who prefer working from the office, while employers are attracted to hybrid working because it keeps overheads down."
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