Half of Canadians working from home regularly: survey

More than half (56 per cent) of Canadians work from home on a regular basis, according to a new survey by Epson Canada Ltd.

Among this group, 61 per cent of respondents said they do so on a full-time basis, while 78 per cent said they do it to have a better work-life balance and more flexibility. Almost 40 per cent said they don’t miss being in the office at all.

“Flexible working arrangements are becoming the norm, not the exception,” said Karen Rowden, Epson Canada’s marketing manager, in a press release.

Read: Telecommuting becoming standard in Canadian workplaces: survey

The survey also found 58 per cent of respondents said working from home has positively affected their mental health.

When employees work from home, they admit to taking advantage of some fun perks. Almost half (46 per cent) said their dress code is sweatpants or yoga pants. One in five (21 per cent) watch television while they work. Three quarters said they find working from home to be relaxing or liberating, while 62 per cent said they put in the same or fewer hours as working from the office. Meanwhile, 34 per cent said they start work late.

On conference calls, work-from-homers said they manage to get a few other things done, including cooking (50 per cent), going to the bathroom (42 per cent) and exercising or walking the dog (19 per cent).

Read: Men offered flexible working options more often than women: survey