If you’ve been reading the news recently, you’ve likely noticed warnings about a post-pandemic exodus from work, particularly in London.
In fact, it’s estimated 800,000 workers are at risk of closing up shop and searching for different jobs. Why? well, there are many factors, heavily influenced by both Covid and Brexit.
One of the biggest factors is that many employees are leaving to search for jobs with greater flexibility.
Remote work for many during the pandemic has been a blessing, bringing greater independence, flexibility and sociability to their lives. It doesn't demand the expenses or time of commuting, nor does it separate workers every week from their family and friends. For all these reasons and more, a significant number of employees are stepping up and demanding greater working flexibility.
And in cases where their company doesn't allow that? many are deciding to say goodbye.
In fact, a survey by Morning Consult found that around 40% of respondents would consider quitting their jobs if they were not offered remote work flexibility.
It's been argued hybrid working is the key to halting this exodus.
Nicholas Bloom appears to agree. As a Stanford University economics professor with expertise in remote work, he believes working two days a week at home will create the perfect balance between home and office-based working post-pandemic.
For companies that still want a physical space, he recommends moving from tall buildings to campuses or spread-out industrial parks to facilitate social distancing.
Many companies already agree with Bloom's message. Here in the UK, employers expect the proportion of regular home workers to double, from 18% pre-pandemic to 37% post-pandemic. These businesses recognise that hybrid work is key to getting many employees to stay, meaning implementing it effectively over the next year is absolutely crucial.
What is key to effectively implementing a hybrid working situation is sitting down and having a trusted conversation about IT options. How will your IT strategy enable your business outcomes and fit your proposed remote working effectively, productively and financially?
Either way, businesses must adapt to the technologies that made remote working such a success during the pandemic, because for many employees now, flexible working conditions are their number one priority.