Study finds locals choosing to work from home

Freedom and flexibility are in high demand for Western Australians when it comes to working from home, according to new research from telco giant Telstra.

The data showed about 27 per cent of Western Australians take the opportunity to work from home at least once every two weeks; that puts the state second only to NSW.

The national study found that, of those who can work from home, 90 per cent want to do it more regularly, while 30 per cent want to work from home every day.

“Enjoying flexi-work freedom is a big factor for Western Australians – most of those who work at home do it to relish more time for leisure and to work the hours they want,” Telstra said in a statement.

Telstra executive director global talent Katherine Paroz said with technology no longer a barrier to working from home, it was time to find out exactly what was holding us back.

“Technology was identified as the area of least concern in our findings. In fact, the rollout of the NBN network is enabling fast connections, so people can work to their preferred style, using the latest collaborative tools and technology at home,” she said.

“By this time next year, half the country will have access to office-like internet speeds at home.

“So what’s stopping us? Our goal is to demystify the supposed barriers holding people back from working at home and help more Queenslanders embrace a practice that can boost their wellbeing and productivity.”

Ms Paroz said the future of the Australian workplace wasn’t sitting at a desk from nine to five.

“Employers and employees are fully aware of the benefits of working at home, so the biggest thing holding us back from living the flexi-work dream may be our misperceptions,” she said.

“Now is the time to start the conversation about working at home.”

The research was conducted by Nielsen on behalf of Telstra.