UK workers reveal top bugbears of working from home

●  New research from Vodafone Business and RingCentral has revealed the leading issues for hybrid workers when working from home.
●  Problems with broadband connectivity, tech not working properly, and lack of conversation lead the list of bugbears.
●  Data revealed as Vodafone Business and RingCentral announce vital new enhancements to their joint Vodafone Business Unified Communications collaboration and calling platform – putting mobile at the heart of the user experience.

United Kingdom - April 27, 2023 - New research from Vodafone Business and RingCentral has revealed the leading bugbears for hybrid workers when working from home.

Issues with broadband connectivity (25%) and tech not working properly (23%) lead the list, followed by video calls freezing mid-flow (15%), and calls dropping out (11%).

Other issues were of a more personal nature including missing out on ‘office banter’ with co-workers (23%), family members walking in on virtual calls (20%) and feeling lonely (16%). Vodafone and RingCentral surveyed more than 2,000 workers* across businesses of all shapes and sizes in the UK.

With organisations now adapting their workplace policies to suit the requirements of staff who need to work remotely or split their time between the office and elsewhere, the findings found that workers wanted to feel connected to their organisation and empowered by the tools they were provided with.

**Top-Ten list of leading bugbears available in the notes to editor’s section.

The data is revealed as Vodafone and RingCentral today announce new enhancements to their joint ‘Vodafone Business Unified Communications (VBUC)’ collaboration and calling platform. Initially, launched last year for large enterprise customers, the platform has been expanded to cater to the needs of businesses of all sizes including small-to-medium enterprises and now includes vital new features which put mobile devices at the heart of the user experience.

New enhancements have been included which now put mobile at the heart of the user experience, effectively turning your mobile device into a full extension of your office.

With access to RingCentral’s leading mobile applications, powered by Vodafone's award-winning mobile network, the VBUC platform now provides an intuitive, unified experience that lets users make calls, send messages, and launch HD quality video meetings. All these benefits are seamless – whether working remotely or on the go with IOS or Android mobile devices.

And, following the application of a Unified Directory system, it is now easier to connect and collaborate with colleagues across your organisation including those who do not have a VBUC license.

These enhancements will provide organisations with the tools they’ll need to help them adapt to new ways of working, keep up with changes in how employees communicate and replace out-dated fixed telephone systems without the complexity (an essential need for businesses who are preparing for existing networks – Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) and Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) – to be shut down in 2025).

Claire Harris, Head of Small, Medium and Enterprise, Vodafone UK, said: “At Vodafone we are committed to providing businesses with access to market leading communication solutions, powered by our award-winning network. These new enhancements effectively turn employee mobile devices into a true and complete extension of the office, which is positive news for those who work remotely, are constantly on the go or constantly have connectivity issues with their broadband - which ultimately affects business efficiency and productivity.”

“We will continue to add new enhancements to the VBUC platform over time, as we continue to empower businesses with the tools they’ll need to rapidly adapt to an ever-changing work environment.”

Yves Desmet, Senior Vice President, International Service Providers, RingCentral, said: “At RingCentral we are focused on bringing people the best communications capabilities across team messaging, video meetings, and a cloud phone system. We are delighted to go one step further with our partnership with Vodafone, bringing to the market a powerful differentiated solution which puts mobile at heart of the user experience. VBUC new capabilities will enable customers to work anywhere on any device, simplifying the way they communicate to answer most of today’s hybrid work concerns.”

To find out more about how Vodafone Business UC with RingCentral can help your business visit:
https://www.vodafone.co.uk/business/unified-communications/vodafone-with-ringcentral

Notes to Editors

*An online survey was conducted by independent market research agency WALR, among 2,096 workers, aged 18+ in the UK. The research fieldwork took place between 31st March –4th April, 2023. WALR is a member organisation of the Market Research Society and abides by all codes of practice.   

**Top Ten Bugbears:

1. Issues with broadband (25%)

2. Tech not working properly (23%)

3. Lack of conversation with people (23%)

4. Increased cost of energy bills that aren’t supplemented by my company (22%)

5. When my family walks in on a call (20%)

6. Feeling unable to control my work life balance (17%)

7. Loneliness (16%)

8. Video calls freeze mid flow (15%)

9. Calls dropping out and they can’t get the person back (11%)

10. Limited options for lunch (10%)

About Vodafone in the UK

Vodafone is a technology communications company that connects people, businesses and devices to help our customers benefit from digital innovation. Our services span mobile, fixed line connections, home and office broadband, and the Internet of Things (IoT).

We have a strong track record as a tech pioneer, making the UK’s first mobile phone call, sending the first text message, and making the UK’s first live holographic call using 5G in 2018. We were also the first to start carrying live 5G traffic from a site in Salford, Greater Manchester. As of March 2022, we have 5G in 380 locations across Europe – 141 in the UK and 239 across Germany, Spain, Italy and Ireland. Our 4G network coverage currently reaches more than 99% of the UK population.

Today, Vodafone serves more than 18 million mobile and fixed-line customers in the UK. To help deliver Gigabit UK, our full-fibre broadband roll-out programme now covers 26 UK towns and cities, rising to 35 over the coming months through partnerships with CityFibre and Openreach. Our full fibre services are now available to more than eight million homes across the UK.

For more information about Vodafone UK please visit:
www.vodafone.co.uk.

About RingCentral

RingCentral is a leading global provider of cloud-based business communications and collaboration solutions that seamlessly combine phone, messaging, video meetings, and contact center. RingCentral empowers customers with AI-powered conversation intelligence that unlocks insights from their interaction data to accelerate business outcomes. With decades of expertise in reliable and secure cloud communications, RingCentral has earned the trust of millions of customers and thousands of partners worldwide. Visit ringcentral.com to learn more.