Two-thirds (64%) of younger workers said that fully on-site jobs should be paid more than remote roles, according to a new global study by BSI.
For its study, which was developed with thinktank ResPublica, the business improvement and standards firm surveyed 4,700 people globally who started work during or since the pandemic.
It found that 37% of respondents stated that a hybrid work style is their preference, compared to just 16% who said fully remote. Just over a quarter (27%) wanted to be fully site-based and 20% said primarily site-based.
Almost half (49%) who work remotely or hybrid would seek to leave their job if they were required to work fully on-site, while 36% of those who work hybrid said they would not consider taking a job if it was fully remote.
Almost three-quarters (71%) said jobs requiring a full-time presence on site should offer other flexibilities or core hours, with the remainder worked flexibly, condensed or part-time. Meanwhile, 49% cited work-life balance as the most important motivating factor, followed by job stability (43%) and financial incentives (39%).
A third (34%) said their mental health was negatively affected by remote work during the pandemic, but 57% said it is enhanced by a hybrid structure. One in five (22%) said social anxiety would impact their decision to take on a fully on-site role, jumping to one in four for those already in remote roles.
Susan Taylor Martin, chief executive at BSI, said: “Organisations thinking about how to attract, retain and get the most from their talent will surely benefit from starting from a place of understanding and empathy about the circumstances that shaped their newest starters and continue to inform what they want from their careers now.”
Kate Field, global head human and social sustainability at BSI, added: “The hybrid generation value balance, moderation and consistency and are thoughtful when it comes to prioritising their own health and wellbeing. They are also facing longer working lives and higher living costs, so it is perhaps no surprise that sustainable careers that serve their lives rather than the other way around, are a priority. This works for employers too, a healthy, happy workforce, inclusive of those with visible or invisible disabilities, mental health or neurodiversity needs, is a more innovative and productive workforce.”
