78% of UK staff would move job for remote working

New data has revealed that 78% of UK employees would change their jobs if they were offered the chance to work fully remotely on a permanent basis.

A survey of 1,021 UK workers, undertaken by Marketing Signals, found that, when asked why working remotely would make them move jobs, 60% said it would allow them to enjoy a more flexible working environment and a better work-life balance.

The survey also revealed the other incentives that would encourage employees to change jobs, with 70% happy to do so for a pay rise, 49% for a promotion, 35% for a dream job and 27% for unlimited annual leave.

Meanwhile, 44% admitted that working remotely allowed them to create a healthier daily routine, although just one in five (22%) said they managed to fit in a morning workout before their working day began.

Additionally, 40% said they would use it as an opportunity to work abroad without having to take annual leave, and 35% cited it as being helpful for their mental health, giving them more time to spend at home with friends and family.

Gareth Hoyle, managing director at Marketing Signals, explained that the business decided at the end of the first Covid-19 (Coronavirus) lockdown to become a fully remote company, after consulting with staff who were enjoying the flexibility, putting into place a policy of working from anywhere rather than just working from home.

“As the feedback we received from the team was overwhelmingly positive, we invested in making remote working as comfortable as possible by providing a budget to each staff member for desks, chairs and monitors. However, we have a strict policy of not being obliged to respond to emails out of working hours, regardless of what time zone someone is in. That said, we do host regular video calls to check in and see how everyone is doing,” he said.