The Spatial Anatomy of Working at Home: Concepts, Measures and Types of Spaces Used

Abstract

This article provides a spatial analysis of working at home. It makes distinctions according to the extent to which the boundaries of work and home spatially overlap. Using this conceptual lens, it deploys data from Britain′s Skills and Employment Survey to track the trends and patterns of homeworking and hybrid working over the last two decades. The article also examines the type of home spaces used. It identifies the characteristics of those who use a home office as opposed to other spaces, such as the kitchen or the lounge, where unpaid domestic tasks are carried out. The results show that, first, the relatively privileged are more likely to work at home. Second, those spending more time working at home, living in larger and better-maintained homes, and men rather than women are more likely to have a home office. Furthermore, gendered access to a home office persists even among dual-earner households.