Hybrid working, where employees combine time in the office with working from home is the new normal for millions of us, with the flexibility it offers driving an improved work-life balance.
Over the past three years, we’ve been tracking how employee benefits packages have evolved as the world of work has transformed, including the disconnect between what employees want and what’s on offer. Hybrid working - cited by employees as something that makes them feel happier and more productive at work – has presented itself as one of the most prevalent disconnects, according to this years’ Employee Benefits Report which has just launched.
Despite this, employers are rolling back existing policies and implementing back to office mandates to reduce or even end flexible working practices – however, this is something they should think carefully about if they wish to attract and retain the next generation of talent.
While Gen Z employees are often assumed to be among the most adverse to returning to the office, our research shows that the opposite is true.
Three in ten (29%) businesses told us younger employees under 30 are the ones least likely to have an issue with coming into the office and indeed, one in five (20%) report that Gen Z often come into the office more than what’s required. Given many are at the start of their careers, the collaboration and knowledge sharing that an office provides is highly attractive.
In comparison, millennial and Gen X employees are keen to minimise their in-person attendance. Childcare costs, being away from the city or investing in a home office during the pandemic are likely to contribute to these generations not wanting to comply with full-time office mandates
More than a quarter (27%) of businesses have changed their hybrid working policies within the last year, requiring more frequent office attendance. Around a fifth (22%) are planning to change their working from home policies, with 18% believing that working in the office full time will be considered the norm again by 2030.
Employees are feeling this shift – half (52%) of the UK’s workers say their employer is now more eager for them to come into the office than the year before – and a similar proportion (51%) believes their employer favours those who come into the office more often.
Although employers are rolling back, 86% of employees of all ages see hybrid working as one of the perks they value most about their job, with the same figure saying it makes them feel happier and more productive at work.
The key point that has prevailed throughout this years’ research - and remains consistent from previous findings - is that employees demand flexibility and personalisation when it comes to both their reward packages and working practices.
In a world where continued value is placed on employee benefits, offering perks employees want such as hybrid work, alongside other in demand benefits, is key to creating a happier, more productive workforce and securing the next generation of talent.