New research from a recruitment company shows a whopping 90 percent of white-collar workers would look for a new job if they had to be in the office more.
One side effect from COVID-19 was a sudden acceptance of people working from home and it turns out employees aren't willing to give up that flexibility post-pandemic.
This is highlighted by new research from Robert Walters, which shows just how seriously employees take their ability to work remotely.
The main deterrents for people returning to the office are long commutes (41 percent), disruptions to work-life balance (40 percent), workplace distractions (11 percent), and associated costs (9 percent).
The research, which surveyed more than 2000 white-collar workers across Aotearoa, found 82 percent of businesses are still offering flexible working arrangements.
Flexible working is such a draw card, 40 percent of those surveyed would look for a new job if their employer made them return to the office five days a week, while a further 33 percent would if their work-from-home days were reduced.
Another 17 percent said they would consider looking for a new role if their work arrangements changed but weren't sure if flexible working was their main priority.
Meanwhile just 10 percent said they would remain in their current roles despite changes to flexible working arrangements.
On the other hand, a considerable number of employers are advocating for increased office attendance, with the recruitment specialists at Robert Walters noting a significant increase in employers expressing their desire for staff to spend more time in the office.
Robert Walters NZ and Australia CEO Shay Peters said employers have been urging staff to return to the office more often since the start of this year.
"We have even seen some employers starting to mandate five days in the office, but I think this is somewhat unrealistic," Peters said.
While employers may want staff back in the office, the study found hybrid working is now one of the top three benefits employees want.
In fact, 45 percent of workers cite work-life balance as the most important factor when considering a new role.
There has also been a significant increase in candidates seeking jobs with flexible working arrangements.
"Workplace culture and flexible working arrangements are becoming the primary determining factors in a candidate's decision to accept a job," Peters said.
"Employees need to understand there needs to be a balance between work life and personal life. In the past, society has put an emphasis on professional life, but it now seems some people have the mindset work is interrupting their personal life."
For employers who aren't so keen on flexible working arrangements but also don't want to miss out on skilled staff, Peters suggested offering other benefits to entice people back to the office.
"Some possible strategies to bring professionals back to the office include flexible work hours, improved office amenities, assistance with employee expenses such as travel subsidies or meals, among others," he said.
He added flexible working arrangements shouldn't just be seen as working from home but could also consider the start and end times of shifts.
Flexible shift schedules can offer greater benefits compared to just the quantity of office days, he added.
Peters also emphasised the advantages of working in an office environment, including increased collaboration with colleagues, active participation in team projects, heightened visibility, skill development opportunities, mentorship from senior staff, and a stronger connection to workplace culture.
"The shift to remote work has revealed a drawback. Individuals may be missing out on valuable learning experiences that are more readily accessible in an office setting. It is important for employees to acknowledge the advantages of increasing their in-office presence and embrace the learning opportunities that come with it," Peters explained.
