Posted by It seems a number of people who have been forced to work from home due to the COVID-19 pandemic want to keep doing their job remotely.
An on-going survey from Jobstore.com finds a third of professionals surveyed who are currently working from home would look for a new job if they were told they had to go back to the office.
Just over half of respondents want a hybrid of both remote and in-office work, while about one-in-five asked say they prefer to be at the office full time.
After more than a year of uncertainty and pandemic-induced remote work, there is a growing desire among some business leaders to return to business as usual, including welcoming employees back to the office once it is considered safe. However, companies should be prepared for a potential disconnect between their ideal work structures and that of their employees.
When it comes to hesitations to working strictly from home, respondents listed how such a move would impact their relationships with coworkers as a main concern at 39 per cent. Impact on job development and decreased productivity followed at 21 per cent and 16 per cent.
The survey also uncovered a return-to-office wish list, including the ability to set preferred work hours, have a more casual dress code, and have a personal, distraction-free work space.
As we reimagine the future of work, now is the time for managers to engage in mindful discussions with their teams to determine what they most want and need. Establishing a return-to-work plan that prioritizes employee health and well-being and fosters a strong corporate culture can help bolster retention and recruitment efforts.