The vast majority of office workers would chose to work flexibly over an immediate pay rise and full time return to the office, according to new research.
The study, conducted by IWG, found that 72% of office workers would prefer the long-term ability to work flexibly over going back to the office five days a week with a 10% pay rise.
The hybrid model was even more popular with younger workers as over 84% of employees aged 18-24 would opt for flexible working over more money.
The study, which collected data from 1,000 office workers in July 2021, also revealed that two thirds of workers aged 18-35 would not apply for a new job unless it offered hybrid working.
The research suggests that young people place a higher value on having control over their schedule and commute in comparison to other age groups. Those aged 55-64 are more than twice as likely to choose the pay-rise and return to the office (41%).
However, the issue is not completely clear-cut, because 82% of young people also believe their career prospects may be harmed if they are not able to go into the office.
It may be that a happy medium is the best bet for most. The statistics certainly reveal a dramatic shift in employee attitudes towards the workplace, caused by the pandemic.
In fact, 83% of workers would now be more likely to apply for a job if it offered a flexible way of working. Following the hybrid work model, workers are now looking to permanently divide their time between home, a local office, and occasionally visits to a corporate HQ.
However, the majority of 18–24-year-olds (90%) also believe working from an office provides them with better work-life boundaries, with most stating that the office allows them to be more collaborative.
The need for flexibility during the working week combined with the benefits of office access demonstrates the probable benefits of businesses providing employees with a work model that ensure freedom of choice.
‘Over the last 18 months we’ve seen businesses recognise the benefits hybrid working has on their bottom line, but this latest research demonstrates the importance of hybrid working to the lifestyles and happiness of employees across the country,’ says Mark Dixon, founder and CEO of IWG.
‘The hybrid model allows employees to achieve a better work/life balance while retaining the collaborative and social benefits of an office environment.
‘The fact many are more concerned about a flexible work policy over a pay-rise speaks volumes as to the permanent behaviour and mind-set shift caused by the pandemic.’
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