The transport and storage sector may face a skills shortage as it lags behind other industries in adopting a hybrid working model, according to an industry expert.

The latest survey by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) highlights that only 8.3% of transport and storage companies plan to increase working from home (WFH) as a permanent business model, a stark contrast to other sectors, such as manufacturing and retail.

The head of consumer research at delivery service Parcelhero, David Jinks, warned that this reluctance could disadvantage the sector in a competitive job market. “The survey is very revealing about industry attitudes to working from home,” he said. “Only 8.3% of transport & storage sector companies — the category which includes logistics, parcels, haulage and warehousing employers — say they plan to use increased homeworking as a permanent business model. In comparison, 9.1% of their manufacturing partners and 14% of their retail partners are adopting hybrid working.”

Industry-Specific Challenges

The survey reveals that 48.2% of transport and storage companies believe increased homeworking is not applicable to their business, compared to 26.7% of manufacturers and 28.1% of retailers. Integration of new staff and reduced communication were cited as additional concerns by 8.4% and 6.1% of companies, respectively.

“Of course, in some ways, these transport & storage sector employers are correct,” Jinks said. “Drivers and warehouse operatives need to be physically in their driving seats or distribution centres and cannot work from home. However, this does seem to have created an anti-homeworking mindset within the sector, which isn’t seen in many others.”

The ONS survey also highlights operational strains in the sector, with 13.1% of firms requiring staff to work longer hours and 11% unable to meet demand. In contrast, fewer manufacturers and retailers report similar challenges.

Potential Impact on Recruitment

Jinks emphasised the potential long-term impact on recruitment if the sector continued to resist hybrid working. “To be blunt, if transport and storage sector companies continue to say no to WFH then there could be a sector-wide skills shortage. Experienced managers, customer service and IT staff will turn to other industries that offer more flexible working practices.”

The rejection of hybrid work comes at a time when the logistics and retail sectors are undergoing significant transformations driven by technology.

‘Working from home is just one of the transformations that technology is enabling across the logistics and wider retail sector,” said Jinks. The e-commerce revolution is transforming both home deliveries and the High Street. Parcelhero’s Study on the future of retail looks at changes to working practices, supply chains and both online and physical stores.”