Posted by Johann Nacario — August 19, 2024 — Half (50%) of U.S. workers indicate that they prefer working for an organization that provides flexibility when it comes to remote and hybrid work, according to a new nationwide poll from Eagle Hill Consulting. Additionally, half of workers (50%) say they would consider looking for a new job should their employer reduce remote and hybrid work flexibility, highest among Gen Z workers (61%).
Graphic courtesy of Eagle Hill Consulting
Only 30% of workers say their employer has solicited their input on what remote and hybrid work flexibility they would prefer, while 67% say remote work improves corporate culture. Workers say their top concerns about more in-person work include work-life balance (48%), commute time (41%), increased costs (36%), stress (33%), and their happiness (26%).
This research comes as many employers continue to increase in-person work, while other organizations are leveraging flexible work arrangements to recruit and retain workers in a continued tight labor market.
Melissa Jezior, president and chief executive officer of Eagle Hill Consulting, advised:
Employers are wise to tread carefully when making changes to their remote and hybrid work policies. While in-person work has benefits, reducing the flexibility that many workers crave could backfire in terms of employee retention, morale, and company culture. It’s important for employers to understand that workers do see the value of in-person work, but they view some tasks as better performed remotely and they don’t want mandates.
One troubling finding is that the vast majority of workers say they haven’t been asked about their preferences regarding remote work. Gauging worker sentiment is a necessary step employers should take to make informed policy decisions. While employee preferences don’t drive all business decisions, not understanding worker views is never a good approach.
The nationwide survey of U.S. workers also finds that employees see the value of in-person work. A large share of workers (56%) say those who work more in the office than remotely are more likely to be successful in their jobs. A full 85% of workers say team building is managed better in person, as is integrating new team members (84%), training and managing teams (78%), onboarding (74%), kicking off a new project (76%), getting a project back on track (74%), performance discussions (68%), meetings (65%), giving and receiving feedback (63%), brainstorming (62%), and IT support (54%).
The research also finds:
- Employees say the benefits of returning to the workplace would include increased socialization (46%), the ability to leave work at work (35%), improved collaboration (33%), and more productivity (32%).
- Workers are split on employers tracking their attendance to ensure compliance with company remote work policies. Just over half (51%) want their attendance tracked, while 49% don’t.
- Around a third (34%) of workers are willing to sacrifice a dedicated workspace in exchange for more remote work. Only 17% would sacrifice pay for increased remote work.
- Fully 71% of employees say someone they work with directly makes their remote work flexibility decisions.
The findings are based upon the 2024 Eagle Hill Consulting Workplace Flexibility Survey, conducted by Ipsos most recently June 4-7, 2024. The survey included 1,453 respondents from a random sample of employees across the U.S. Respondents were polled about their views about working remotely.
Read the research infographic, “Employees Weigh In On Workplace Flexibility: 2024,” which details the research findings.
