Nearly six in 10 (59%) office workers would change jobs if their employer did not offer flexible-working arrangements, according to research by recruitment firm Office Angels.
The research, which surveyed more than 1,000 office workers and 110 employers, found that nearly half (48%) of employee respondents choose to work flexibly because they prefer to balance their work and life, while 34% do so because of childcare.
The research also found:
- Flexible working is more important to employee respondents aged between 25 and 34, with 70% more likely to change jobs, compared to 50% of respondents aged between 45 and 54.
- Nearly half (46%) of employer respondents offer flexible working as part of the recruitment process.
- Less than a quarter (24%) of employer respondents intend to offer flexible working in the future.
Angela Smith, managing director of Office Angels, said: “Flexible working is clearly more important to employees than ever before, and childcare is not the main driver.
“It is clear that a working culture that can adapt to a worker’s lifestyle is becoming increasingly important, with employees wanting to achieve the optimum work-life balance.
“However, opportunities to work flexibly should be clearly and transparently communicated to employees, with a working model in place that can be adapted. The right balance needs to be struck.”
