This Report Analyzes Why Most Office Workers pursuing Flexible Plans May Be Happening Digital transformation is sweeping the business landscape, and office flexibility is on the rise. While some find increased productivity and reduced stress, others are questioning the viability of working remotely.
Of the 500 office workers asked in the survey, 55 per cent feel comfortable enjoying five-day workweeks, but flexibility comes at a cost. 51 per cent of respondents indicated they would renegotiate their compensation packages if they were mandated to stay at the office longer. 247 per cent of employers believe they would make work hours more flexible, compared to having days off when needed during these remote hours. This survey also highlighted a gender divide, with 23 per cent of men receiving more flexible working hours than women, and 14 per cent of women finding it harder to adjust their schedules.
When asked about their approach to taking on office days, 33 per cent of business leaders believe they are succeeding on their terms, while 64 per cent plan to measure the impact of their current work environment on productivity. 50 per cent of business owners believe fully remotely teams will lead to lower profits, an refrain from the same challenges 71 per cent of business leaders mention.
More than half of office workers now plan to work five days a week if they were required to. Of these workers, two-thirds believe their work evaluations should be more flexible—upgrading how they assess when and where colleagues work— while 47 per cent express willingness to offer more flexible hours so employees don’t feel pressure during peak times.
The research also revealed that a third of men believe their office policy is flexible and expects further flexibility from their employers to enhance productivity. 58 per cent of men feel more confident in negotiating a better deal with their boss than 43 per cent of women, highlighting a significant gap in perceptions. HOTTER_than_BE, which commissioned the survey, reported that nearly a third of business leaders believe their team is fully remote, while 74 per cent asked to move from home for productivity.
surprised by the disparity, 74 per cent of surveyed office workers said using commutes as a means to collaborate and problem-solve counts as more productive than working from home. Younger workers aged 18-24 and 25-34 are more likely to switch to remote work, with 91 per cent and 88 per cent respectively, compared to 51 per cent of those 55 and older. Rosie McKinnon from Gett, the survey’s director of research, expressed hope that companies would see the agility of teams adopting flexible policies and remain open to agile work arrangements in the long term.
89 per cent of respondents themselves preferred to work remotely than in the office, and 69 per cent felt that being at home mid-day posed a significant problem for their work dossier. The report emphasized that more than half of office workers are configured to work five days a week, but such opportunities come with higher costs and new challenges.
For critics, the debate over remote vs. flexible work is one of significance. 71 per cent of business leaders believe fully remote teams will harm profits, while 64 per cent are actively measuring the impact of their policies on productivity. 74 per cent of office workers feel that working five days a week could make their schedule more efficient, while fewer individuals mention it as the biggest drawback.
This report highlights growing interest in empowering teams to innovate and engage more with colleagues, with studies showing higher productivity for remote workers. The findings underscore the importance of balancing adaptability with work-life balance, as well as the growing disparity in perceptions of flexibility and work trends.
