More than half (54%) of employees aged 18-34 years old said they would likely quit if the organisation they work for stopped offering remote or hybrid working, according to a new survey.
Employee benefits provider Unum UK conducted research into attitudes to work and employee support in order to find out if employers helped their workforce navigate the challenges of the Covid-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic and if they were rewarded with staff loyalty and happiness at work.
Almost six in 10 (58%) of staff in the 18-34 age group said they feel more productive now than before the pandemic. Meanwhile, when all employees were asked why they remained in the same role they were in before Coronavirus, 55% cited their employer handling the pandemic well as the main reason.
Additionally, 23% of workers who wanted to change jobs or did so during the pandemic said it was because their employer did not offer high quality benefit packages or support, with 21% wanting wellbeing benefits and support packages that can be accessed remotely.
More than one in five (21%) were happy with the flexible working approach their employer offered and 19% felt their company culture had changed for the better since the Coronavirus outbreak. Conversely, 21% felt their bosses failed to support their mental health during the pandemic, with 22% not believing their physical health to have been sustained.
Mark Till, CEO of Unum UK, commented that while salary still factors into decision making over potential job moves, the research proves just how much value employees place on the quality of benefits and wellbeing support being provided, as businesses cannot have one without the other.
“The workforce, in particular younger employees, belonging to this new hybrid world have made job expectations crystal clear. A combination of agile benefits, mental and physical support and a sense of autonomy and trust is the only way businesses will keep their staff loyal, happy, engaged and successful in the long run,” he said.
