Flexibility is the Next Frontier
Well, for more than 60% of job seekers, that answer is “remote work.” Job seekers place a lot of value on flexibility–whether it’s a hybrid or fully remote option, 52% of are willing to take a pay cut–up to 11%–for a guaranteed arrangement. What was a stop-gap for many during the pandemic is now something that many workers are actively seeking in a new job. Indeed, 64% of workers say they would consider quitting if they were required to return to the office full-time.
What is it about remote work that is so appealing? For most, it’s a work/life balance. The vast majority of job seekers want more flexible schedules (74% of parents and 68% of nonparents, respectively) and remote work can offer that. Many remote workers experience higher job satisfaction than their in-office counterparts (90% vs. 82%) and many (46%) say it’s made it easier to be a working parent.
The commute is also top-of-mind for many job seekers–commuting costs were a concern for 50% in January according to a ZipRecruiter survey, and that number unsurprisingly increased to 64% in July and August as fuel prices soared and inflation increased.
Remote work can also level the playing field for certain demographic groups–like women and minorities–who are more likely to seek remote employment.
There’s also the plain and simple fact that some people just prefer to work alone sometimes. They prefer to construct their own environment, their own schedules and have plenty of time for deep work without being interrupted. While team-building and working in-office can be great for collaboration, allowing employees a hybrid schedule can be a great option.Remote Work Requires Support
However, companies who are offering remote work need to know how to support their remote and/or hybrid workforce because there is a balance–remote work isn’t always better. According to a recent study, “those working from home are more likely to feel their work is suffering due to poor mental health compared to their colleagues in the workplace (55% versus 36%).” Working from home can also make it harder to put work away, and remote workers are prone to working up to 8.7 hours longer each week.
Nevertheless, remote and hybrid work is here to stay and companies that want to secure top talent (especially among younger generations, for whom remote work is the most important) should have a remote or hybrid option as we move into what could be another difficult recruiting year.
If you are having difficulty finding the right people or are wondering how your benefits stack up against competitors, ROI can help.