New research from Vodafone has proved just how much we value time spent with colleagues with over forty per cent (40%) of workers claiming they miss spending time with their workmates and office jokes and light-hearted chat (41%) the most, as working from home becomes the new norm.

Under the new restrictions enforced by the government, most Brits have experienced a dramatic change in their working environment and daily routine. Over one third (35%) of those surveyed said they miss having the company that colleagues bring and bouncing ideas off one another (30%).  One fifth (19%) miss the grown-up conversation that working in an office brings.

However, it’s not all doom and gloom. 51% of Brits say the most valuable thing to come out of working from home is the extra time they are claiming back as a result of not commuting. One third (37%) say they are enjoying a lie- in and being able to spend more time with their pets (20%).

As well as our working routines changing, so too have the demands on the tech we rely on, with almost half (44%) unsurprisingly claiming that home broadband is the most valuable piece of tech used while working from home. One third (33%) find the likes of Slack & Skype the most useful applications to use to help keep them in touch whilst working remotely. Video conference calling (29%), audio conferencing calling (22%) and streaming services (20%) are amongst the other most treasured apps that respondents value as they fight to adapt to a new kind of normal.

Scott Petty, Vodafone UK Chief Technology Officer said: “In these turbulent times we’re proud to offer a range of services that can keep people connected with colleagues and help them adapt to new ways of working with as minimal disruption as possible.   As well as ensuring our network stands up so people’s home broadband and mobile phones work efficiently, we will continue to offer insight and advice on how consumers can do their bit. Small things like avoiding scheduling conference calls on the hour or half past the hour will make a huge difference in helping us continue to work smoothly and productively from home.  Together we can get through these uncertain times and keep the UK running.”

Despite 61% of UK workers claiming they are just as productive working from home, over one quarter (27%)  worry about their boss, clients and colleagues thinking they’re not working, followed by other concerns that they may miss meetings and deadlines (13%). Thankfully, one thing Brits haven’t had to worry about are tech issues, with over four-fifths (88%) of respondents claiming they have not experienced any tech-related problems since the government’s working from home order was enforced.

The findings also revealed that almost one third (29%) of Brit’s bank balances are benefiting from them working from home with money being saved rather than splurged on coffee or buying lunches every day. Instead, 17% are using the time to make more interesting lunches.

Vodafone is offering 30-days unlimited free data to half a million other Pay Monthly customers, not already on unlimited data plans. Customers can access the offer through Vodafone’s VeryMe rewards scheme available through the My Vodafone App**.

Top 10 things we miss about the office

1. Office jokes (41%)
2. Colleagues (40%)
3. Having company around me (35%)
4. Routine (32%)
5. Bouncing ideas off each other (30%)
6. The office buzz to motivate me (22%)
7. Collaborating with others (21%)
8. Learning from others & grown-up conversation (17%)
9. The commute (9%)
10. Watercooler gossip (8%)