A survey by the Global Payroll Association (GPA) has revealed that 75% of UK office workers would reject a job that does not offer remote or hybrid working, highlighting a significant shift in workplace priorities. Flexible working arrangements, driven largely by the pandemic, have become more desirable than even the once-idealised four-day workweek.
With major companies like Amazon, Boots, and JP Morgan mandating full-time office attendance, some business leaders argue that remote work is detrimental to productivity. Former Asda chairman, Lord Rose, recently claimed that remote work has led to a generation “not doing proper work”. But the GPA’s research paints a contrasting picture.
Of the 1,036 UK office workers surveyed, 74% reported already working remotely full-time or splitting their week between home and office. Only 26% said they worked exclusively from an office. Despite concerns voiced by figures such as Jeff Bezos, who associates remote work with reduced productivity, just 7% of respondents felt their output diminished when working from home.
In contrast, more than half (55%) stated they are more productive at home, while 38% believe their productivity remains unchanged. Additionally, 73% said remote work motivated them to go “above and beyond” for their employer, often starting earlier or finishing later than usual.
The preference for flexible working is so strong that 94% of respondents rated it as an important factor in their work arrangements. Melanie Pizzey, CEO of the Global Payroll Association, noted that the findings reflect a fundamental change in workplace values. “A flexible working arrangement is now a key requirement in the eyes of many UK workers. So much so that no less than three-quarters would now avoid applying for a role that didn’t offer some degree of flexibility,” she said.
Interestingly, the survey showed that the preference for flexible work outweighs the appeal of a four-day week. While 43% of respondents favoured hybrid working and 31% preferred remote-only roles, only 20% said they would choose a four-day office-based schedule in exchange for a long weekend.
The findings suggest that companies resisting flexible arrangements could face challenges attracting talent. Pizzey added, “Those firms who completely eradicate [flexible working] from their professional offering could seriously reduce the talent pool on offer to them when it comes to hiring.”
While some businesses argue that office-based work is crucial for collaboration and productivity, the data indicates that flexibility in working conditions has become non-negotiable for a large portion of the workforce. This trend appears to be reshaping recruitment strategies, as firms navigate how to balance organisational goals with employee demands.
This article was written by Psychreg News Team from www.psychreg.org
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