HALF of all the Southampton people currently working from home have no wish to return to the office, according to a new survey.

Theta Financial Reporting, a chartered accountancy and consultancy firm, has released research showing how employees feel about the prospect of returning to the office following the relaxation of the lockdown.

Many of those who took part in the said they would not feel comfortable about using public transport to get to and from work.

Others said they were reluctant to return to normal office hours, especially if it involved fewer employees have to take on more responsibilities.

Nearly a third of Southampton workers said going back to work in a traditional office environment would have a negative impact on their mental health, which in turn would reduce their productivity.

And 20% of workers said their employer had failed to explore any flexible working options that would help them or their colleagues return to work.

Chris Biggs, managing director and founder of Theta Financial Reporting, said: "It shows the government and large businesses alike have not done enough to consult the workforce on how safe they feel to return to work and whether the traditional environment works for them in a post-Covid world.

"Many businesses have adapted to working away from the office.

"And with so many people caring for vulnerable relatives, friends and children, it seems people do not want to return in August, despite the easing of lockdown restrictions. This will have a significant impact on how our workplaces will look beyond lockdown."

Mr Biggs said the past few months had uncovered the "numerous benefits" of flexible working.

He added: "Business leaders would do well to realise this and adapt now to pivot their business, remove unnecessary overheads and plan for a post-Covid future."