British businesses look set to be more flexible about working from home in the future - with nearly half of bosses believing it will save them money.
A poll of 1,000 employers in the UK found just 45 % were comfortable with staff working away from the office prior to lockdown.
But seven in 10 are now considering changing previous rules and regulations, after being so impressed with how staff have reacted.
In addition, 57% of business owners are already looking at adapting many of their usual practices moving forward.
The study was commissioned by Vision Direct in response to the changing landscape following a surge in online customers during the month of April.
Ashley Mealor, from Vision Direct, said: "Within a few weeks of lockdown we experienced a surge in new customers - the figure was 69% up on the same time the previous year.
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"We quickly identified a change in our customer's behaviour, as they react to events around them.
"All businesses have had to adapt and respond quickly to the constant changing situation, and most are having to identify safer, quicker, more streamlined ways of trading for the future.
"We're anticipating an even greater move towards online shopping, and we are exploring options for online eye tests, to cater for customers who either can't get to the high street, or don't want to."
The study also found one third of businesses are planning to offer more online services, while a fifth will be reducing current office space.
For 13% of owners, reducing team sizes in certain areas of the business will become necessary, as will downsizing for 14 per cent.
Just under 7% of those polled intend to bring manufacturing into the UK.
Eight in 10 employers say more meetings will take place over video conferencing rather than face-to-face, and staff who do have to meet others will do so in smaller numbers.
Staggered start times, professional cleaning services and the introduction of PPE are also being considered by many bosses - and some intend to give their staff the freedom to plan where they want to work, and when.
All measures will be reassuring for employees, who would like to see the introduction of more flexible working practices, to include a mix of home and office working, as well as remote meetings.
This could also lead to a rise in job opportunities for those not living in cities like London, if employers are more open to recruiting staff for remote working.
A further study of 1,000 workers currently at home, conducted via OnePoll, found many feel it is safer and more sensible to continue working from home, with as few people in the office as possible.
In addition to the safety factor, 35% feel they are more productive in the comfort of their own home, while 37% say their attitude to work remains unaffected.
More than half of those polled have maintained good business practice throughout lockdown, with 22% continuing to dress in work attire and 51 per cent creating an efficient home office set up.
If encouraged to return to the workplace, 47% want two metres between all desks, and 2 % would like Perspex partitions.
A ban on travel to bigger cities such as London and Birmingham is preferable for 16%, while 35% want to see shorter working weeks, with four days on and three days off.
Ashley Mealor, from Vision Direct, added: "We're bracing ourselves for tough times ahead, as while we've managed to maintain an impressive level of service throughout lockdown, we did see a 19 per cent drop of contact lens usage.
"However, this is already returning to normal as lockdown eases and more social interaction and activities such as tennis increase.
"Like many other businesses, we have adapted to working from home successfully, although still see a need for the office environment.
"With Zoom fatigue and lack of social interaction, we are conscious of the impact on staff productivity and overall well-being."
Top safety measures UK bosses plan to implement
1. The option to work from home - 43%
2. Desks set 2 meters apart - 32%
3. The ability to conduct all meetings via video conferencing - 30%
4. PPE - including face masks, gloves, hand sanitizer on decks - 30%
5. Reduced number of people in meetings - 25%
6. Professional cleaning daily - 24%
7. Staggered start times - 22%
8. Ban of external guests to offices -19%
9. Shorter working weeks - 4 days on 3 days off - 14%
10. Shift patterns - 14 %
11. A ban on travel to cities such as London, Birmingham etc - 11%
12. Perspex partitions on desks - 11%
13. Desks set out so everyone faces the same way - 10%
14. Wider entrances - 4%