According to a new survey by The Conference Board, more and more companies are asking employees to return to the office, but many of these workers ignore the request.
According to the report, 54% of companies require or encourage workers to be on site. Yet nearly 80% still work fully remote or hybrid schedules.
“In fact, worker dissatisfaction with return-to-office mandates may cause more workers to jump ship,” says The Conference Board. “Nearly a third of those who had to return to the workplace said their intention to stay with their organization had diminished.”
The survey also reveals the pros and cons of working fully remote versus working in the office. The results suggest a relationship between companies with fully remote employees and layoffs. 33% of remote employees report that their companies have implemented layoffs, compared to just 13% of fully onsite workers.
The Conference Board’s workforce survey was conducted from April 25 to May 5 and surveyed nearly 1,300 American employees, mostly white-collar workers.
Other key findings from the survey include:
· Nearly 80% work fully remote or hybrid schedules.
· Only 15% of respondents are on the site 5 days a week.
· 28% are completely remote.
· More than half say that working on the site is strongly recommended or mandated by their organizations:
– Compulsory: 29%
– Highly recommended: 25%
· 28% of those whose organizations required them to work on-site say their intent to stay with the company decreased in the last six months.
· 33% of fully remote employees say their organizations have implemented layoffs in the past six months, compared to 25% of hybrid workers and just 13% of fully on-site workers.
· 35% of fully remote workers say their productivity is higher than 6 months ago, compared to 20% of fully on-site workers and 22% of hybrid workers.
· 19% of fully office workers report decreased productivity, compared to 16% of hybrid workers and 8% of fully remote workers.
· 37% of hybrid workers and 45% of fully remote workers say they are concerned about limited connection with colleagues, the top response for each.
· Only 47% of organizations now offer in-person team-building and celebration events.
“In a world that can often feel like it has gone crazy, we need to reimagine the workplace as an oasis for workers,” said Rebecca Ray, Executive Vice President of Human Capital at The Conference Board. “Companies need to not only think about why they are asking people to return to the office, but also make it a place where people can come to do their best work, can learn and grow, and can make a meaningful impact.” .
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