Back-to-the-office orders likely to disrupt workforce: Survey

More than half of UK professionals would start looking for a new job if their employer told them they would have to work more days in the office according to a recent survey conducted by recruitment company Robert Walters.

Hybrid-working remains in the top three most desired benefits across every professional field, the report found.

The findings from the poll of 2,000 UK professionals 53% of UK professionals would start looking for a new job if their employer told them they’d have to work more days in the office with 46% stating that costs associated with returning to the office are a key deterrent.

The main reasons for professionals not wanting to spend more days in office were associated costs (46%), disruption to their work-life balance (28%), long commutes (16%) and too many distractions at work (10%).

The findings run contrary to a recent KPMG survey which indicated that 63% of UK CEOs are predicting a full return-to-office by 2026.

“The pandemic not only opened the door to hybrid-working but made it a mainstay in many companies,” said Robert Walters UK’s CEO Chris Eldridge. “It also proved that there just isn’t a one-size-fits-all option when it comes to ways of working and keeping productivity levels up across a workforce.”

Eldridge warned: “Leaders attempting to jump the gun and implement a full return-to-office are quickly going to run into trouble – as it’s clear that many professionals won’t readily give up the flexible working routines that they’ve spent the last 3-4 years getting comfortable with.”

“Our research shows that gone are the days where employers competed for talent on salary alone – so having a clearly defined hybrid working model will be a key ‘benefit’ to leverage for candidate attraction and retention this year, particularly where hiring budgets remain stringent.”

Chris comments: “Whilst our research indicates that professionals are anticipating changes to the way we work this year, hybrid-working isn’t something employers can just take away without offering some incentive or compromise.”

The survey also considered what does draw professionals back to the office. Over a third (36%) stated more days in the office helped with their weekly routine. Other advantages were brainstorming with colleagues (26%), in-person meetings (24%) and more face-time with senior figures (14%).

“Being a more familiar face around the office, on-hand to help or engage with your colleagues on projects and being recognisable to senior leadership can hold you in good stead for half-year promotions,” Eldridge said.

“If more days in office are what companies want – the onus is on senior leadership teams to make the office the heart of their work community and inform professionals of what can be gained by returning.”