The boss of ASOS has said that working from home “is not better” than being in the office, as he outlined hopes the online retail giant’s London HQ will be buzzing again when the pandemic draws to a close.
Nick Beighton said prior to the coronavirus outbreak some 2600 employees, the majority of whom are around 31 years old, were based at the firm’s home opposite Mornington Crescent station.
Most of ASOS’ head office workers have done their jobs remotely since March when the first lockdown started. The government’s guidance is still work from home where you can.
Beighton told the Evening Standard: “I am sure when we all get back to being in the office, we will have a more flexible approach to working than we’ve ever had before. That said, as time goes by, the more I think people might be more inclined to come back to the office for more days full time than they’d envisaged when they’d first experienced the positives of remote working in the March, April lockdown.”
The chief executive said: “To my mind, you simply can’t replicate the camaraderie, creativity and energy you get from being together in one place, compared to say a video chat. From my experience, working from home is not better on the whole, and I rather suspect we’ll be welcoming many more staff back into the office when it’s possible.”
Beighton added that he is aware from speaking to staff “they miss the buzz” of the office.
His comments came as ASOS was preparing for Black Friday, the huge annual discount shopping event.
