Bosses tempt staff into office with promise of free heating

by · Mail Online

Bosses who have been unable to stop their staff working from home are tempting them into the office with the promise of free heating.

With many employees reluctant to turn on their heating at home, two-thirds of workers are being encouraged to venture into the office for 'free' warmth during the winter, according to a poll.

Nearly half (48 per cent) commute to their workplace five days a week, according to the Virgin Media O2 Business Movers Index.

By tracking anonymised data 'footprints' of commuters, researchers also found that commutes on Mondays and Fridays have increased by 7 per cent and 6 per cent respectively year-on-year.

This comes after it was revealed that energy bills were set to rise by 10 per cent after regulator Ofgem announced it was increasing the price cap for gas and electricity bills.

Bosses who have been unable to stop their staff working from home are tempting them into the office with 'free' heating 
Commutes into the office on Mondays and Fridays have increased by 7 per cent and 6 per cent respectively year-on-year

The regulator announced it is hiking its price cap from the current £1,568 for a typical household in England, Scotland and Wales to £1,717, adding around £12 a month to an average bill.

Ofgem said rising prices in the international energy market, due to heightened political tensions and extreme weather events, was the main driver behind the decision.

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'Ultimately the price rise we are announcing today is driven by our reliance on a volatile global gas market that is too easily influenced by unforeseen international events and the actions of aggressive states,' said Ofgem's CEO Jonathan Brearley.

'We know that this rise in the price cap is going to be extremely difficult for many households.

'Anyone who is struggling to pay their bill should make sure they have access to all the benefits they are entitled to, particularly pension credit, and contact their energy company for further help and support.'

He also urged consumers to 'shop around' and consider opting for a fixed-rate tariff that could save people money.

With employees reluctant to turn on their heating at home, two-thirds of workers are being encouraged into the office for warmth

In September, MailOnline revealed how inflation-busting water bill rises may have cost customers thousands of pounds over the past 30 years.

Forecasts from the regulator Ofwat show households in England and Wales will pay £473 in 2024/25, on average.

Had bills tacked in line with inflation, however, MailOnline has calculated customers would be expected to spend £406 this calendar year.

Over the last three decades, all the above-inflation hikes add up to roughly £2,100 – enough to buy a family-of-four a week-long all-inclusive holiday to Majorca at a four-star hotel.