Cardiff ranked as one of the worst UK cities to work from home

In 2020, nearly 90% of office-based employees in the UK moved to a work-from-home model during the first national lockdown. For some, this was a welcome break from the office, for others it was not quite as enjoyable.

A study conducted by instantprint, a printing company that specialises in print products such as banners and business cards, found that the city you live in has a major impact on how much you enjoy working from home. In second to last place was the Welsh capital, Cardiff.

Why was Cardiff ranked as one of the worst cities to work from home?

It is unsurprising that UK capital cities fared the worst from the instantprint survey. Due to their urban environments, many people live in smaller homes within close proximity to other people, making it harder to enjoy working from home.

The number one reason Cardiff ranked so low was its internet and 4G speeds, which made it difficult for employees to work effectively from home. Another was the density of urban living and lack of access to private outdoor space.

Which UK cities are the best for working from home?

Only one UK capital city enjoyed working from home; Belfast reported the highest levels of worker satisfaction during remote working under lockdown. Again, this was due to its fantastic internet connection which helped people stay productive at home.

Manchester, Birmingham and Nottingham also featured in the top 10 list of best cities to work in the UK.

How long will remote working be around in Wales?

It is the ambition of the Welsh government to move 30% of all office-based working to a remote or work from home model. Because of the immediate move to remote working for nearly nine out of ten office workers in Wales, the government has assessed the benefits to people’s finances, local economy and work-life balance.

Despite the government’s guidance, they won’t be requiring all offices to move to work-from-home models and will not be bringing in legislation to do so.

How can you make working from home in Cardiff more enjoyable?

The number one way to enjoy working from home is to have a dedicated work set–up, away or free from distractions with good Wi-Fi or broadband connection. Of course, it isn’t quite that easy if you have limited space but setting up an assigned work area in the corner of a room can help you enjoy it more.

If you really can’t find a way to make working from home enjoyable, just remember that you will probably be back in the office before long, wishing you were at home.