Australian office workers enjoy the most flexible work arrangements globally, according to the latest international survey by leading design-build firm Unispace.
The comprehensive annual report, From Restrictions to Resilience, highlights Australia’s leading position in flexible work practices from a survey of 8,000 employees and 2,700 employers (business leaders of companies with 50+ employees) across 13 countries.
The research shows that while office attendance has increased worldwide compared with the findings a year ago, a third of Australians (32 per cent) say they have a choice in deciding which days to work from the office compared with only 23 per cent of people globally.
And while hybrid working is the norm for many, the role of the office remains vital. Seven in 10 Aussies say the office enables them to do their best work and, aside from productivity, the desire for social connection in the workplace has stuck even as COVID-19 restrictions have concluded.
When it comes to working in the office, building social connections and a professional network is a benefit felt by over a third (37 per cent) of Australians, followed by a belief that face-to-face collaboration is more effective than virtual collaboration for a third (33 per cent) of employees.
Emma Davenport, Senior Principal, Strategy at Unispace, says the report underscores Australia’s strong position in the global landscape of adaptive work arrangements despite some improvements needed to our physical office environments.
“It’s clear that Australian workers are experiencing greater autonomy when it comes to hybrid work options, and many employers are supportive in providing these choices. This flexibility not only boosts our overall wellbeing by optimising life balance but also provides a clear competitive edge in attracting and retaining top talent, particularly when measured against other countries,” she says.
While Aussies are enjoying their autonomy, they are still interested in being offered new ways for their work schedules to be malleable, as four in five (81 per cent) say flexible start times would make them happier to spend more time in the office.
The report found that 60 per cent of Australians are interested in a four-day work week, even if it means working longer hours on those days. Additionally, 37 per cent of Australians who are interested in a four-day workweek prefer a hybrid arrangement.
And when considering workplace design, almost three-quarters (73 per cent) say that having separate spaces for collaborative and quieter work would make them happier to come to the office.
“There’s, a noticeable lag between what people need and what the workplace currently offers. Our approach to addressing this challenge focuses on harnessing quality design to build environments that unite people and cultivate deep-thinking, innovation and collaboration.”
The report also notes that both employers and employees in Australia are highly-satisfied with their current hybrid working arrangements, with satisfaction rates at 94 per cent and 86 per cent, respectively. This level of contentment aligns closely with global trends, reinforcing the effectiveness of hybrid work models in meeting the needs of modern workers.
“Australians clearly value choice, and it has become the new standard that many of us now expect. While some large employers from the public and private sector are looking at mandating returns to the office, any restrictive approaches should be taken with caution and managed carefully, as it risks undermining employee engagement, which is essential for sustaining high levels of performance and productivity,” added Davenport.
When looking at generational trends on a global scale, younger workers (aged 18-34) value ‘perks’ and wellness offerings from their workplace. For example, nearly 90 per cent of them said they would happily spend more time in the office if their employer provided subsidised travel, offered free lunches or access to amenities like a gym. Similarly, one of the challenges felt by a third (33 per cent) of this age group globally is a lack of space to rest, recharge or destress in the office.
“The end game for us is to ensure that the approach meets the diverse needs of all generations and fosters high performance across the entire workforce,” she says.
For more information on Unispace’s From Restrictions to Resilience Report and the latest findings on flexible work trends, visit here.
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