In the fifth iteration of our 2022 Employment Law Horizon Scanning blog, we consider why employers might start providing or assisting employees with housing and accommodation. We also consider where this trend originates from and what the important considerations for employers would be.
There are many employers, particularly in the city of London, who prefer their employees to be in the office, not working from home.
Working from home was not unusual before the pandemic, but it was not part of normal working. Although the experience of lockdown is a contributory factor, there is still the question of why employees are reluctant to attend work, certainly in the way they used to?
Employees may move to the capital for career opportunities, particularly in financial services and the professions, but can find their pay, even if relatively high, disappears quickly in mortgage payments, rent payments, service charges and a high cost of living. If pay is not relatively high, things can be worse. In 2021, a “Shelter” survey found that 24% of private renters had to borrow money to pay rent, 18% had to cut back on food, including skipping meals, and 12% had to cut back on heating. The recent and forthcoming increases in mortgage rates, rent, fuel and general living expenses are only going to increase affordability issues.
The lack of affordable housing close to the office can force employees into more far-flung towns and villages, where rents in particular and the cost of...
On September 14, 2026, the Department of Justice announced that Accenture Federal Services, Accenture plc, and Accenture LLP agreed to pay $25 million to resolve False Claims Act allegations that ...