One full year into the global pandemic, the way in which we do work has transformed beyond recognition. While the technology to enable remote work was readily available, never could we have predicted uptake on such a grand scale, simultaneously across the world. What this means for the future of work is front and centre of everyone’s minds right now, and as our recent study reveals, employees want some certainty that flexible working will remain once we shift to the new ‘normal’.
At Citrix, we recently commissioned an EMEA-wide study, across the UK, France, Germany, Switzerland, the Netherlands, and South Africa, surveying 4,250 office-based workers, to quantify the impact the pandemic has had upon their perceptions of remote work.
The data shows a resoundingly positive sentiment towards this new model of work, with 82 percent of all respondents agreeing that remote work will be more common post-pandemic. In the future, more than half (52 percent) of all respondents say they would favour a hybrid model where they can work from both the office and remotely, with just 14 percent wanting to go back to an office every day.
Attracting Top Talent
For the past 12 months, businesses have been focused on operational challenges, doing their best to survive and ensure continuity of services, throughout a period of extreme uncertainty. The next phase, however, will be to dedicate time and resources to identifying the core values of their organisation in a post-pandemic world, creating an employee experience that will enable the business to recover and thrive.
Our research finds that in the future, remote and flexible work options will be key to attracting and retaining talent in the future. More than half (55 percent) of respondents say that businesses will miss out on top talent if they do not offer flexible work options, and additionally, 45 percent claim that if they were to change jobs, they would only accept a role which offered the ability to work remotely. Over half (53 percent) of all respondents would also like remote work policies to be regulated by the government.
Supporting a Healthier Work/Life Balance
Despite the many challenges caused by the pandemic, one silver lining has been that over the past 12 months, employees have been able to establish a better work-life balance. Overall, 41 percent of respondents agree their lives have been positively impacted by working from home over the past year. The time they have gained by not having to commute to an office has given them a chance to spend more time with family (17 percent), take on a hobby (12 percent), keep on top of household chores (12 percent) or simply to get some extra sleep (15 percent).
It is evident that employees are enjoying the increased levels of flexibility and freedom created by the pandemic. The study finds, for example, that 36 percent of respondents would be more likely to begin new personal projects now than they would a year ago. An additional 24 percent would also be more likely to consider a side hustle, or ‘slasher’ career.
Furthermore, 28 percent believe the pandemic has had an overall positive impact on their career, allowing them to deliver better work performance, along with other positive factors. This is despite the fact that 40 percent of respondents claim they work longer hours at home than in the office, while a quarter say they work shorter hours. Additionally, just over half of respondents (51 percent) say they have felt supported by their manager, throughout the mandate to work from home.
It Is Time to Evolve
Businesses have an opportunity to evolve work post-pandemic and nurture a new generation of happier workers who stay committed to their companies for longer, if they are given the choice to work wherever is best for them. Remote work seems set to become one of the biggest priorities and differentiators in attracting and retaining new and existing talent, and businesses must cement their hybrid-work strategies to safeguard their future.
Learn how Citrix can enable remote work in your organization and how you can build a long-term remote working strategy.
