- Four in ten (39%) desk-based workers say that being forced to return to the office more than three days a week would lead them to quit their job, rising to half (49%) of 16-24 year olds.
- Less than half (45%) of desk-based employees believe they were consulted over changes to their company’s hybrid working arrangements.
- This comes as the Labour government are set to propose new labour laws, which would require businesses to further adapt flexible working policies to accommodate employees’ ‘right to switch off’, and even a four day week
With the new Government’s proposed New Deal for Working People set to entrench flexible working rights for UK employees, new research highlights the need for businesses to get communications around flexible working right, or risk damaging employee trust.
The research, from Europe’s leading HR software company for SMEs, Personio – which surveyed over 2,000 workers and 1,000 HR decision makers in the UK – reveals a clear demand for flexible working. Only just over half (57%) of desk-based workers feel that they have a good work-life balance, and currently, only 45% say they are currently able to work flexibly at times that suit them.
Personio is calling for businesses to clearly communicate their flexible working policies to employees, acknowledging that flexible working will vary across organizations. Ultimately, decisions on this should be made with the success of the business in mind, but be carefully balanced against the needs and preferences of employees.
Younger workers most likely to walk away over flexibility
The return-to-office debate is a key aspect of flexible working. Over half (56%) of HR decision makers report that employees have been reluctant to return to the office post pandemic. In fact, four in ten (39%) desk-based workers say that being forced to return to the office more than three days a week would lead them to quit their job.
This rises to almost half (49%) of all 16-24 year old desk-based employees, suggesting that the youngest employees are the most likely to leave their jobs if flexibility is compromised. Just over half (52%) of 16-24 year olds also believe that going to the office is a waste of their time and money, compared to 46% of all desk-based employees.
A lack of clarity is damaging employees’ trust
The data suggests that there has been a loss of trust over flexible working, with over one third (35%) of desk-based employees believing that their company has made false promises regarding flexible working.
This could stem from a breakdown in communication between employees and employers when deciding on hybrid working policies. The research found that whilst three quarters (74%) of HR decision makers say that they consulted employees on changes to their hybrid working policy, less than half (45%) of desk-based employees agree.
Lenke Taylor, Chief People Officer at Personio, said:
“While the office does play an important role for face-to-face collaboration and building social connections, flexible working is here to stay. It’s important for businesses to understand that there is no one size fits all approach to flexible working, and this doesn't only differ between organisations, but also between departments.
“There’s no doubt that businesses have a lot on their plates - not only are they managing the return to office debate, but the new workplace laws proposed by Labour will also put significant pressure on businesses to re-think their policies.
“To navigate this, businesses must maintain an open conversation with their people and collect data to understand employee needs and expectations. However, ultimately, all decisions must also be balanced with what’s right for the business, and so leaders must be prepared for the potential impact their decisions will have on employee engagement and retention.
“As and when new policy decisions are made, it’s critical for businesses to prioritise effective communication with their employees – ensuring they are intentional, clear and consistent above all else.”