The three essentials employees want to be part of the new norm following COVID-19, is the opportunity to work remotely but not all the time, to learn and develop more skills, virtually if needed and balancing work and family life for the long term.
This was discovered by ManpowerGroup, the third-largest staffing firm in the world, report ‘The Future for Workers, by Workers’.
Jonas Prising, chairman and CEO ManpowerGroup said:
What started as a health crisis has evolved into an economic and social crisis. While thankfully a small proportion of the population will be infected by COVID-19, 100 per cent of us will be impacted by it. The data shows us how workers around the world are feeling about returning – concerned for their health and employment security, while seeking flexibility which allows them to better balance work and home. Those organisations that prioritise emotional wellbeing and flexibility while demonstrating how they create social impact in challenging times will be best positioned to attract and retain the best talent and ensure workers are confident, healthy and productive.
The vast majority (90 per cent) of employees say keeping their job is most important right now. However, how workers feel regarding returning to work varies by gender, age and what career stage they are at.
Gen Z workers are the ones most keen to return to the office with 51 per cent wanting this, compared to only 38 per cent of millennials wishing to do so. Gen X value the workplace as it allows them to concentrate and collaborate with their team members away from household distractions.
When it comes to gender, almost half (46 per cent) of men feel positive about returning to the office in contrast to only 35 per cent of women. Women are more nervous about the idea of returning to work.
However, men with children see spending more time with their family as a big advantage to remote working.
In order to gather these results, ManpowerGroup spoke to 8,000 employees from the UK, France, Germany, Italy, Mexico, Singapore, Spain, and the US.
Darius is the editor of HRreview. He has previously worked as a finance reporter for the Daily Express. He studied his journalism masters at Press Association Training and graduated from the University of York with a degree in History.