Remote work in 2026: flexible tech boosts UK productivity by 12%

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‘We will not go back to normal in the foreseeable future’. Responding to the oil crisis, EU energy chief Dan Jørgensen urged people to work from home, and travel less.

Working from home has skyrocketed since the Coronavirus pandemic, with approximately 42 percent of Britons either working fully remote, or hybrid.

With the added pressure of increasing fuel costs - energy bills for households in Britain could increase by more than £200 a year - this number is unlikely to decrease in the near future.

The influx of flexible working and working from home is not just convenient for employees – these structures are actually shown to improve work performance .

In fact, a 2025 report from International Workplace Group (IWG) found that flexible working could boost productivity by 12% in the UK, contributing a staggering £24 billion to the economy each year, and digital working technologies are at the heart of this shift.

Unfortunately for these employees, an innovation gap remains. Working patterns have evolved quickly, but technology hasn’t always kept pace. From microphone troubles to discussions missed, it’s easy for those working from home to feel separated from the office conversation.

Technology optimized for remote work means well-connected, happy employees, a true boost to company culture and improved productivity.

The value of a seamless experience

When looking for employee technology, business leaders should choose devices that put an emphasis on connection and productivity. When meetings bring together both remote and in-person employees, no one wants to feel left out of the room where it happens. Thankfully, the technology is out there – however for many operations its potential just remains untapped.

Ultra-wide monitors , for example, provide panoramic digital canvases that recreate a more natural and inclusive meeting experience. Combined with integrated video conferencing , they help ensure every participant shares the same seamless view of discussions, documents, and data.

Other solutions that promote connectivity between long-distance employees include all-in-one collaboration displays with integrated cameras, microphones and speakers to provide a streamlined meeting experience. Designed with remote employees – or clients - in mind, these displays ensure inclusive and engaging communication with those at home.

AI-powered room control systems add another level of intelligence to modern meeting space. Today’s smart meeting rooms can automatically adjust camera angles, lighting, and microphone pickup zones depending on who’s speaking and where attention is focused. Features like voice enhancement and real-time captioning help make meetings more accessible for everyone.

The recently implemented European Accessibility Act has shone a spotlight on the struggles faced by disabled workers, pushing organizations to ensure accessibility for all. Technologies which can filter out background noise allow those with hearing difficulties to follow along without asking for constant repetition.

With 35% of those of working adults in the UK experiencing some form of hearing difficulties at work, these innovations are invaluable for a modern organisation.

There are many frustrations that typically come with hybrid meetings: participants out of shot, cropped presentations and conversations cut off due to poor audio, but these boardroom technologies help address this. With the right calibration and positioning, physical and digital workspaces are brought closer together than ever before.

The importance of home tech

Keeping employees happy doesn’t just stop at well-designed in-office displays - at home, the same principle applies. Smart monitors , for instance, are setting a new standard for versatility. These hybrid devices offer a new level of flexibility by combining the features of a traditional monitor and smart TV, with built-in productivity apps for work.

The latest innovations are designed for hybrid working, allowing employees transition seamlessly between work, entertainment, and even home management. A great smart monitor helps workers to manage their entire routine from singular device, from answering emails , to streaming shows, to turning up the heating. All systems can be managed at once, mirroring the seamless workflows that come with a hybrid work style.

When choosing technology for home environments, it’s not surprising that design and space efficiency is often top of the priority list. A single, stylish device that fits well into any living room or home-office space is valuable for any hybrid or remote employee. Space-efficient gadgets can enhance user experience and reduce complexity, through features like cable management, slim displays, and compatibility with multiple devices and connections.

The less bulky a monitor is, and the fewer cables it’s trailing, the more ergonomic the workspace - that’s when work gets done. As simple as it sounds, offering employees technologies hardware that complements the user’s space goes a long way to improving satisfaction and productivity.

Portability

Whether employees are fully remote, hybrid, or office-based, portable technology has become essential. Home workers may split their time between kitchen tables, coffee shops and coworking spaces, while hybrid employees often commute long distances into the office a few days each week.

In 2026, work no longer happens in one fixed location - it happens everywhere, from train carriages to kitchen counters while making lunch between meetings.

This underscores the need for ultra-lightweight, durable laptops that can be transported from workspace to workspace, while still delivering strong visibility and performance no matter the setting.

Today’s leading business laptops are designed with this flexibility in mind. Large, high-resolution devices make multitasking, spreadsheets and data-heavy work easier on the go.

High resolution screens improve visibility during long work sessions, ideal for workers replacing multi-monitor setups with one large portable screen. Anti-glare screen technology allows for working outdoors, and can reduce eye fatigue whilst improving readability.

For business leaders trying to choose the best laptops for their team, don’t just consider how work gets done... consider where work gets done.

Flexible working is here to stay

Hybrid working is the foundation of modern corporate life. Teams are built across cities, countries and even continents, and work is woven together with family and personal lives. The modern office is rarely a single location; it’s a space that changes and moves with workers throughout the day.

This is why simple, adaptable systems which put the worker first are pulling ahead to become the top of workplace tech in 2026.

The best business devices are those which bridge the physical gap between employees, driving collaboration, creativity and connection, helping people do the best work wherever they are.

Don't forget to save your data with the best backup software .

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