New research reveals that retaining flexibility will be essential for keeping talent post-pandemic as a third of staff say they would quit if hybrid working was abolished.
Recent research by Thomas International, a global talent assessment platform provider, proves the adoption of hybrid working could determine whether UK businesses survive, or thrive in a post-pandemic world.
The latest data found that a third of UK workers (33 per cent) would leave their current employer if they were encouraged to go back to the office full-time.
This could be detrimental to building back better, the research warns, especially as the average cost for hiring and onboarding a new employee is £3,000 in the UK.
As such, three-fifths of the UK workforce (60 per cent) want their company to adopt hybrid working. Under one in 10 (7 per cent) prefer a full working week in the office, showing businesses that employees still wish to retain the flexibility cultivated throughout the pandemic.
In addition, over half of employees questioned (53 per cent) stated they would only interview for a company that embraces hybrid working. Under a fifth (19 per cent) reported this has no influence on their job-hunting, strongly suggesting that without keeping hybrid working, businesses could lose out on the best talent.
Sabby Gill, CEO of Thomas International, commented on the findings:
It’s clear the adoption of hybrid working will determine a company’s success in the long run. But we’re still starting to see businesses across the country openly say a five-day office week will become the norm again.
Abolishing hybrid working directly contradicts the wishes of employees and misses a real opportunity to reset, re-shape and get more done with a happier, more engaged workforce. Not to mention directly contradicting the wishes of the majority of employees.
Making a success of hybrid working requires a culture of change. One that understands not all roles are the same as they once were. Business leaders need to ask their workforce tough questions and understand what really makes its culture tick. Only by gaining clarity on these things can they successfully embrace hybrid working and retain and attract the best talent.
Monica Sharma is an English Literature graduate from the University of Warwick. As Editor for HRreview, her particular interests in HR include issues concerning diversity, employment law and wellbeing in the workplace. Alongside this, she has written for student publications in both England and Canada. Monica has also presented her academic work concerning the relationship between legal systems, sexual harassment and racism at a university conference at the University of Western Ontario, Canada.
