Flexible working is fast becoming a priority among younger employees since the outbreak of the pandemic. New findings out this week show that 63% of workers aged between 18 and 24, and one in six aged between 25 and 34 would consider changing jobs if their employer insisted on a permanent return to the workplace. This compares to 47% of workers between 45 and 54 years of age. The 2022 People at Work report, compiled by ADP Research Institute also reveals 59% of employees, of all age groups, would or have thought about finding a new job should they have to return to the office full-time. 

Report
The study polled around 1,400 workers. It found seven in 10 would be in favour of greater flexibility in regard to when they work, and around half of those questioned would consider a salary reduction if their work-life balance improved or to continue flexible working hours. The appeal for flexibility was highest amongst younger employees, yet around 75% of parents would opt for more flexibility compared to 68% of those with no children. The report stated that the Covid crisis “put personal wellbeing and life outside work into even clearer perspective than ever before, and intensified the desire for more amenable working conditions, including greater flexibility, remote working options or better organisational culture.” 

Risks
Those employers who demand staff return to the office full-time are taking a “significant risk” in their ability to retain talent and attract new talent in future. The Work Consultancy co-founder, Gemma Dale stated: “It is now clear that employees want a different deal from work – what has been termed the ‘Great Resignation’ can be more truly understood as a ‘Great Reflection’, especially in relation to wellbeing and work-life balance. Organisations need to think beyond location and look at the entirety of their flexible working offering in order to attract the best,” she said. 

Employer understanding 
The importance of bosses truly understanding and communicating reasons for a return to the office is paramount. “'Because I say so' is not reason enough, especially in a competitive talent market. ‘Because we have sunk costs in expensive office space’ isn't a reason for the individual, either,” said HR coach and consultant, Gemma Bullivant. “If an employer wants people in the office to collaborate, make the workplace attractive and conducive to collaboration. But don't insist on a set number of days to do this, because collaboration doesn't work that way either. Let teams determine how this works for them.”