The Retreat From Remote Work Threatens Gains for Disabled Employees
A worrying trend is emerging in the UK job market: the decline of remote work opportunities. This shift isn’t just a matter of convenience for some; it poses a significant threat to the employment prospects of disabled individuals and those with long-term health conditions. New research reveals that as companies increasingly mandate a return to the office, a vital lifeline for many is being cut off.
The Essential Role of Remote Work
For a substantial portion of the working-age population – nearly one in four – remote and hybrid work arrangements have become essential for maintaining employment. A recent study, the largest of its kind in the UK, involving over 1,200 disabled people, found that more than 80% of respondents considered access to home working either essential or very important when seeking new jobs. Almost half (46%) specifically desired fully remote positions.
The benefits are clear. 64% of fully remote disabled workers reported a positive impact on their physical health, compared to just 31% of those working remotely less than half the time. This highlights the tangible improvements to wellbeing that flexible working can provide.
A Reversal of Pandemic-Era Progress
The COVID-19 pandemic forced a widespread adoption of remote work, opening doors for many disabled workers who previously faced barriers to employment. However, this progress is now under threat. Analysis of job vacancy data from Adzuna shows a stark decline in fully remote opportunities. In the financial year 2024-25, only 4.3% of job adverts were fully remote – less than half the 8.7% seen at the peak of the pandemic in 2020-21. Growth in hybrid roles has also stalled, with only 13.5% of vacancies offering this option.
This decline coincides with a worrying increase in unemployment among disabled people. Official figures display that one in 11 disabled people (9.2%) are currently unemployed, double the average rate of 4.4%. The number of unemployed disabled people has risen by 110,000 since the same period in 2024.
Real-Life Impact: Vera’s Story
The impact of this trend is acutely felt by individuals like Vera, a London-based healthcare worker in her 20s. Following stem cell treatment for multiple sclerosis (MS), Vera is unable to return to a frontline role. “Remote work has made it possible for me to stay in employment – without it I couldn’t work,” she explains. “But I feel stuck, as there are so few remote-only roles. These are realistically the only roles I can apply for if I want to keep working and progress in my career.”
Vera’s experience is echoed by many others, particularly those with conditions like MS, where job locations requiring minimal travel are a key consideration – nearly half of people with MS actively seek such roles.
The Wider Economic Implications
The reduction in remote work opportunities isn’t just a social issue; it has potential economic consequences. With the government aiming to get two million more Britons working, limiting access to flexible work arrangements could hinder these efforts. As Paula Holland, lead researcher on the Inclusive Remote and Hybrid Working Study, points out: “At a time when the government wants to get people working, disabled workers report that access to suitable home-working roles can be the difference between working or not working.”
Calls for Prioritization
The issue has garnered attention from policymakers, with a recent House of Lords report calling for ministers to prioritize remote and hybrid working to boost employment rates among disabled people. The Work Foundation emphasizes that the benefits of flexible working extend beyond health and wellbeing, encompassing improved work-life balance and increased productivity.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What percentage of disabled workers want to work remotely?
A: 46% of participants in the Inclusive Remote and Hybrid Working Study wanted to work remotely all the time.
Q: Has the number of remote jobs increased or decreased?
A: The number of fully remote jobs has decreased significantly, falling to 4.3% of job adverts in 2024-25, down from 8.7% during the pandemic peak.
Q: What impact does remote work have on the physical health of disabled workers?
A: 64% of fully remote disabled workers report a positive impact on their physical health.
Q: What is the current unemployment rate for disabled people in the UK?
A: 9.2% of disabled people are currently unemployed, which is double the national average of 4.4%.
Pro Tip: When searching for jobs, leverage keywords like “remote,” “work from home,” and “flexible working” to filter for suitable opportunities. Don’t hesitate to discuss your accessibility needs with potential employers during the interview process.
Did you know? Disabled women and disabled carers are even more likely to prefer fully remote work arrangements.
Want to learn more about inclusive employment practices? Read the full report from Lancaster University and the Work Foundation.
