Alan Sugar is "sick" of people working from home and that the practice only benefits “lazy layabouts".
The outspoken businessman and TV star believes that allowing employees to continue working from home post the Covid-19 lockdown is pointless.
The 75-year-old, who has led BBC show The Apprentice since it began in 2005, spoke out ahead of the series returning next month for series 17.
“I am sick of this working from home culture," he said. “The people who benefitted the most from Covid are a bunch of lazy layabouts.
“Working from home was necessary at the beginning but we are well past that now.
“I was told I was out of touch. I am not out of touch, believe me. You know nothing until you are in a workplace bouncing off other people.”
The entrepreneur, who is now worth an estimated £1.2 billion according to The Sunday Times Rich List, added to The Sun: “All those casual conversations you have at work — that is how it all works.
“You won’t learn anything from these jobs unless you get stuck in with your colleagues."
The new contestants for The Apprentice series 17 have reportedly been revealed, according to The Sun.
The group is said to include ex-flight attendant-turned-TikTok star Victoria Goulbourne, actor Reece Donnelly — who had previous appearances on Waterloo Road, and Megan Hornby — who owns a confectionery business called The Candy Shop that became a success online during the pandemic.