Ivanti’s 2024 Everywhere Work report sheds light on the evolving nature of work, with flexibility emerging as a paramount concern among professionals.
Despite its acknowledged value, the study reveals a glaring gap between the demand for flexibility and its actual provision in workplaces.
Jeff Abbott, CEO of Ivanti, stressed the importance of prioritising workplace flexibility in today’s competitive job market. “Employers seeking to hire and retain top talent must recognise the business advantage of offering flexible work arrangements,” Abbott emphasised. “Neglecting to provide the necessary resources and support for flexible work may result in higher turnover rates and employee dissatisfaction.”
The urgency for organisations to adapt to the changing needs of their workforce
- Flexible Work Valued Over Remote Work: While 80 percent of professionals consider flexible work highly valuable, only 25 percent report their jobs offer them high flexibility. Alarmingly, over 40 percent express willingness to change jobs to gain flexibility, highlighting the imperative for employers to prioritise this aspect.
- Gender Disparities: Women prioritise flexibility more than men, with 36 percent of women considering it essential compared to 22 percent of men. Organisations rigid in their approach risk alienating a significant segment of their workforce by neglecting flexibility.
- Disconnect in IT and Security Needs: Despite leaders’ assertions that employees have the necessary tools for remote or hybrid work, IT and Security teams report significant challenges. A mere 46 percent find it easy to access tech tools when working remotely, with burnout leading one in four IT professionals to resign.
- Underutilisation of AI: While the majority acknowledge the potential benefits of AI and automation, adoption rates remain low. Data inaccuracies and silos hinder organisations from deploying these solutions effectively, impacting productivity and security.
The report emphasises the critical role of alignment between IT, Security, and organisational leadership in enabling flexible work environments and maximising the potential of AI and automation. Addressing data silos and gaining comprehensive insights into the IT estate are identified as essential steps towards achieving these goals.
To learn more about the findings of Ivanti’s Everywhere Work report, visit here. As workplaces continue to evolve, the imperative for flexibility and adaptability has never been clearer. Organisations must heed these insights to remain competitive in attracting and retaining top talent in the ever-changing landscape of work.
Amelia Brand is the Editor for HRreview, and host of the HR in Review podcast series. With a Master’s degree in Legal and Political Theory, her particular interests within HR include employment law, DE&I, and wellbeing within the workplace. Prior to working with HRreview, Amelia was Sub-Editor of a magazine, and Editor of the Environmental Justice Project at University College London, writing and overseeing articles into UCL’s weekly newsletter. Her previous academic work has focused on philosophy, politics and law, with a special focus on how artificial intelligence will feature in the future.
